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At 5PM, on the ACC Network, it was announced that Pitt head coach Jeff Capel and Pitt guard, Nike Sibande, were honored with awards to commemorate an incredible season for the Panthers. Capel was awarded the ACC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year and Sibande received the Sixth Man of the Year award. Jamarius Burton was also named to the First Team All-ACC team and Blake Hinson was named to the second team, All-ACC. Burton also finished 6th in the ACC Player of the Year voting.
It cannot be overstated how well Jeff Capel did with this Pitt Panther squad. Pitt finished 21-10 overall and 14-6 in conference. It was their first 20-win season since 2016. The Panthers were picked in the ACC preseason poll to finish 14th, and they were one shot away from winning the conference. Not only did Capel dominate the transfer portal, and recruit some outstanding freshmen, but he got the most out of the guys who were already on the squad. This includes, of course, now 6th man of the Year Nike Sibande and First Team All-ACC member, Jamarius Burton.
However, what some people may forget is Capel also did so with three scholarship players inactive for all or most of the season. John Hugley, Pitt's best player last season, Dior Johnson, and William Jeffress all missed considerable amount of time for various reasons. Capel truly overcome the most difficult of circumstances and overachieved to the highest level among all other ACC coaches.
Nike Sibande had an incredible year after coming back from injury and missing all of the 2021-22 season. Sibande averaged 8.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists this season. He was often a spark off the bench that led to Panther victories. He also threw down some viral dunks that brought all of the Petersen Events Center to their feet. Sibande shot 42.4% from the floor this season and 32.4% from behind the arc. He will play a large role in the upcoming ACC and NCAA Tournament games for Pitt.