PITTSBURGH —
The college years are when many get out on their own away from home for the first time in their lives. It’s a period of time where the last vestiges of youth are left behind and the progression into adulthood really takes hold.
Gary McGhee’s college basketball career at the University of Pittsburgh has been all about progressing from one step to the next.
McGhee was a four-year varsity starter in high school for the Highland Scots. When he arrived on campus in Pittsburgh, the 6-foot-10 McGhee had to bide his time on the bench with DeJuan Blair firmly entrenched in the post for the Panthers. After Blair left school early for the NBA, McGhee made his way into the starting lineup.
Entering his senior season, McGhee was selected as Pitt’s team captain in a vote among his teammates and was the Panthers’ representative for Big East media day in New York.
“It means a lot (that my team named me captain),” McGhee said in a phone interview. “I take it seriously. It’s a lot of hard work, proving yourself from freshman to senior year.”
Pittsburgh enters the 2010-11 season rated No. 5 in the preseason poll. Early rankings carry high expectations, something McGhee realizes.
“Our goal every year is to win the national championship,” McGhee said. “Pittsburgh hasn’t been to the final four since 1941. It’s something we want real bad.”
McGhee’s personal goals for his final collegiate campaign don’t include any mention of breaking a scoring mark.
“I want to be the best defensive player in the country,” he said.
“Gary’s made steady improvement over his career. This is year four for him. I’ve always touted how great of a defensive player he was, especially last year for us,” Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon said. “I think he could be the best defensive player in the Big East. He does some very good things. It won’t be measured in shot blocks-it won’t be measured by those things-but position, help defense, paint touches...those kind of things.”
Part of getting ready for the season this winter was a team-trip to Ireland in the summer.
“It was a learning experience. It was my first trip overseas,” McGhee said.
And in the grand tradition of tourists to the Emerald Isle, McGhee and teammates paid a visit to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone. Although the location of the stone left a little to be desired to McGhee.
“It was high up there in that castle, and I’m scared of heights,” McGhee said.
The trip served another purpose in the category of team chemistry.
“You learn everything about your teammates,” McGhee said. “Everybody likes each other, it’s something we’ll always remember.”\
Now the attention turns towards a schedule that has Tennessee and Maryland highlighting the non-conference portion before the yearly Big East meat-grinder begins on Dec. 27 against Connecticut.
“(The Big East) is the best conference in the nation right now, night in and night out,” McGhee said. “We play a great schedule, every game is highlighted.”
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Related Photos
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Pittsburgh's Gary McGhee handles the ball during practice for last season's NCAA tournament. McGhee, a Highland graduate, is entering his senior season with the Panthers.
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Pittsburgh's Gary McGhee dunks against Oakland, Mich. during the second half of an NCAA first-round on March 19, 2010.
Discussion
McGhee progresses for Pittsburgh
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