Pitt coach Jeff Capel began the big job of rebuilding his roster Friday when former Iowa State center Dishon Jackson pledged to join the team next season, a source confirmed to TribLive.
Jackson (6-foot-11, 274 pounds) started 33 of his 35 games for the Cyclones this season, averaging 8.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 58% from the field (101 of 174) and recording 37 blocks. Capel is looking for more scoring, defensive and rebounding punch in the paint, and Jackson, who has been in college since 2020, appears to be built to help in that area.
Iowa State transfer Dishon Jackson has committed to Pitt, first reported @TiptonEdits.
The 6’11” senior center started 33/35 games, averaging 8.5 points on 58% FG, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game.
Pitt lands an experienced big who’s a strong post scorer, and can protect…
— PortalUpdates (@portal_updates) April 5, 2025
Pitt will be Jackson’s fourth school after spending three seasons at Washington State, starting in 2020-21, and the 2023-24 campaign with Charlotte where he averaged 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds. He missed the 2022-23 season at Washington State because of an undisclosed medical issue, according to the Iowa State web site.
During is freshman season at Washington State, he averaged 7.7 points and 4.5 rebounds.
The offseason already has been a chaotic one for Capel after he lost five players to the transfer portal, including third-team All-ACC guard Jaland Lowe, Guillermo and Jorge Diaz Graham, Amsal Delalic and Marlon Barnes. Plus, Ishmael Leggett, Damian Dunn and Zack Austin exhausted their eligibility this season.
If those five players who have expressed a desire to transfer do not return, Capel will need to continue digging into the portal.