Guillermo Diaz Graham is 21 years old now, no longer a newcomer to the rigors of ACC basketball like he was in 2022. He’s a Pitt junior, entrusted by coach Jeff Capel to shoot 3s, rebound and launch his 7-foot frame off the dribble and toward the basket.
Diaz Graham and his twin brother, Jorge, are the two longest-tenured players on the team, and with that distinction comes even more responsibility. He understands he needs to speak up when the time is right.
And that can lead to some funny, friendly exchanges among teammates.
Born in the Canary Islands, Diaz Graham is proud to speak Spanish, his native language, and he often uses it back and forth with Jorge on the court.
But he speaks clear English, too, having learned it three years ago when he attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Sometimes, he gets excited trying to pump up his teammates, and the words come off his lips in rapid-fire bursts.
“I speak faster, and sometimes people can’t understand me,” he said. “I have to work on that.”
Earlier this week, junior Cam Corhen came to him after one particularly passionate pregame speech, and said, “Next time speak in English, bro.”
“He got mad at me last pregame,” Corhen said, smiling. “I’m feeding off his energy more than his words. I didn’t know what he was talking about.”
Such is the global flavor in the Pitt locker room with two players from the Canary Islands, Amdy Ndiaye and Papa Kante from Senegal and Amsal Delalic from Bosnia & Herzegovina.
It’s a new look for Pitt this season and not just because of the different languages in the air.
There still is much proving to do, and the process resumes Friday at Petersen Events Center, where Pitt (1-0) will meet Murray State of the Missouri Valley Conference in its second nonconference game.
Probably the most obvious change from a year ago will occur in the paint where Corhen, a 6-foot-10, 235-pound forward, offers more inside scoring potential than Pitt has had in recent seasons.
“He’s able to do so much for us on defense and especially on offense,” Diaz Graham said. “He can shoot the ball. He has a good touch.”
Corhen scored 12 points Monday in Pitt’s 96-56 victory against Radford.
A transfer from Florida State, Corhen noticed something else about his new teammates that, perhaps, some opponents won’t be able to match: guards who can rebound. Ishmael Leggett collected 12 rebounds against Radford, and Jaland Lowe added five. Corhen, who is 7 inches taller than Lowe, also had five rebounds.
“That’s something you rarely see,” Corhen said of the two guards’ ability to chase missed shots. “It shows the toughness we have. Obviously, I have to step it up.”
Capel also demands a defensive presence from Corhen.
“I have to anchor the defense,” he said “Coach Capel has been on me about talking more and talking people through their actions.”
Meanwhile, Diaz Graham said he improved in many areas over the offseason.
“Last year, I wasn’t in the shape I wanted to be,” he said. “Where my body is right now (7-foot, 225 pounds), I really like it. I feel athletic. I’m stronger.”
He’s playing the four position — more forward than center — and can be a threat beyond the 3-point arc.
“My game spans much more,” he said. “I have more freedom to shoot the ball, put the ball on the ground, to attack the rim, get offensive rebounds. It expands my options in the game. Now (the opponent) knows I can shoot. What’s next? When they come out on me, I can put the ball on the ground and go finish plays or make plays for other guys.”
Added Corhen: “You don’t see people that tall who can shoot and put the ball on the floor.”
Diaz Graham willingly embraces his leadership role, especially among the big men, but he said Leggett and Lowe are the true masters of the pep talk.
“When I hear them talk, it gets me going,” he said. “We’re ready to go to war for each other.”