PITTSBURGH – First-year head coach Tory Verdi and the Pitt women's basketball team held their first official team practice of the 2023-24 campaign on Wednesday afternoon inside the Petersen Events Center.
The 2023-24 Pitt roster features four returners who played major minutes for the Panthers a season ago. Senior Liatu King is the returning leading scorer for Pitt as she capped her third season averaging 9.4 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds. Gabby Hutcherson made an impact for Pitt last season as she averaged 5.0 points and 3.5 rebounds while connecting on 23 three-pointers. Sophomore Marley Washenitz will be looking to grow in year two after earning 16 starts at point guard during her freshman campaign while averaging 3.3 points, 1.5 assists and 1.3 rebounds. Fellow sophomore Aislin Malcolm is looking to become more of a prominent player for Pitt this season after leading the squad shooting 41.2% from behind the arc as a freshman.
Verdi utilized the transfer portal right away after taking the job at Pitt in April as he signed a total of five transfers. Graduate transfer Jala Jordan brings experience and leadership to the Panthers' front court after spending last season at Seton Hall and the previous three at Auburn. Junior Bella Perkins brings a high motor and basketball IQ to the squad after spending the previous two seasons at USC. Junior college transfer Rapuluchi Ayodele brings athleticism and a knack for rebounding the basketball to the Pitt front court. Raeven Boswell (Georgia Tech) and Ioanna Chatzileonti (Kansas) each transferred from Power 5 programs, but they are not expected to play this upcoming season due to NCAA transfer rules.
Pitt also signed a trio of incoming freshmen who will be vying for some playing time early on. Aaryn Battle, Jasmine Timmerson and Lauren Rust each have a chance to make an immediate impact.
Season tickets for the upcoming 2023-24 campaign are $60 and are available to purchase HERE. Group tickets, and single-game tickets will be available at a later date.
Led by first-year head coach Tory Verdi, the Panthers will open up their 2023-24 campaign at home on Tuesday, Nov. 7 against Yale at 7:00 pm.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
