i have to rest he said: Pittsburgh Panthers receive devastating news…..

PITTSBURGH — The Pitt Panthers were unable to secure a key transfer as Kentucky forward Adou Thiero decided to commit to Arkansas after being heavily pursued by Pitt throughout the offseason.

Thiero, who entered the transfer portal following Kentucky’s season, had been a primary target for Pitt.

**BREAKING:** Kentucky transfer forward Adou Thiero has committed to Arkansas and John Calipari, he tells @On3sports.

The 6-foot-8 sophomore averaged 7.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game this season. https://t.co/O0tO13Wi8G pic.twitter.com/USc4HrcJwF

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 6, 2024

Pitt and North Carolina were early frontrunners for Thiero, with Pitt hosting him for a visit at the end of April and looking like the favorite. Indiana and Kentucky were also in his top five.

However, things shifted when John Calipari, who recently moved from Kentucky to Arkansas, hosted Thiero on a visit. Thiero’s father, Almany Thiero, had also played for Calipari at Memphis.

Thiero played high school basketball at Quaker Valley in Leetsdale, PA, about 18 miles northwest of Pitt’s campus. He had an impressive high school career, especially as a senior in 2022, with averages of 23.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 3.9 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game, leading to a WPIAL Class 4A Championship and a runner-up finish in the PIAA Playoffs.

Ranked as a four-star in the Class of 2022, Thiero committed to Kentucky, where Calipari, who hails from western Pennsylvania, was coaching. As a freshman, Thiero averaged 9.5 minutes, 2.3 points, and 1.9 rebounds per game over 20 appearances. In his sophomore year, he improved, playing in 25 games, starting 19, and averaging 7.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game, with shooting percentages of 49.2% from the field and 80.0% from the free-throw line.

Pitt lost several forwards from last season, including First Team All-ACC star Blake Hinson, who graduated, and both Federiko Federiko and Will Jeffress, who entered the transfer portal.

They did acquire Florida State transfer Cameron Corhen and will add freshman Amdy Ndiaye. Additionally, Papa Amadou Kante, who redshirted last season due to injury, will return.

So far, Pitt has brought in two transfers: Houston guard Damian Dunn in April and Corhen. Despite missing out on Thiero, the Panthers are expected to continue seeking talent in the transfer portal this offseason.