Pitt coach Jeff Capel began the process of restocking his backcourt when he received a verbal commitment Wednesday from 6-foot-4 guard Omari Witherspoon. He is Pitt’s first verbal commitment from the class of 2025.
Pittsburgh gets their guy as ‘25 @SJCBoysHoops/@DC_Premier_ Omari Witherspoon. HC Jeff Capel & staff have one of the biggest stock risers in the ‘25 class who brings positional versatility in the backcourt & a budding skill set for long-term growth.
????: https://t.co/un9vBAiKnGpic.twitter.com/a26dV5FadF
— Colby Giacubeno (@ColbyGHoops) September 11, 2024
Witherspoon attends St. John’s College High School in Washington D.C., a school that produced Pitt guard Ishmael Leggett. Former Pitt guard Bub Carrington also went to high school in the DMV, an area that includes Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Witherspoon is rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and a four-star by 247 Sports. He chose Pitt over two other finalists, Vanderbilt and Maryland. But he has scholarship offers from 27 schools, according to Rivals.com. That list includes, Duquesne, Clemson, Virginia Tech, VCU, George Mason, George Washington, Oklahoma State, Rhode Island and Xavier.
With guards Leggett and Damian Dunn approaching their senior and graduate seasons, and sophomore Jaland Lowe looking like an NBA prospect next year, Capel will need fortification at the position after the 2024-2025 season.
After his commitment becomes binding when he signs a letter of intent, Witherspoon could join a backcourt next year that includes current freshmen Brandin Cummings and Amsel Delalic.
Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.