Decision to redshirt Dior Johnson 'best thing for him and us,' according to Pitt coach Jeff Capel

Dior Johnson was Pitt’s prized basketball recruit before being charged in early October for a domestic violence incident that prohibited him from being on campus or participating in any basketball activities.

Pitt announced Wednesday afternoon that Johnson has returned to practice but is expected to redshirt this season.

Panthers coach Jeff Capel said after discussing the situation internally, he and Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke met with Johnson face to face Dec. 19 and “felt good about where everything is right now and giving the kid another chance.”

Pittsburgh police said a woman with whom Johnson had a relationship reported he slapped her in the face, punched her multiple times and pushed her head into a pillow Sept. 5. Johnson pleaded guilty Dec. 9 to two misdemeanor counts of domestic violence and was ordered to serve one year of probation.

Capel said he didn’t discuss the case with Johnson while he was suspended but had conversations with the freshman guard over the Christmas break about his role with the team and the possibility of taking a redshirt to preserve a season of eligibility.

“It wasn’t my decision, but it’s something we talked through and felt like it was the best thing,” Capel said of the redshirt. “It’s very hard when you haven’t played in almost three months to come back and be able to play. … So we felt like it was the best thing for him and for us, but mainly for him.”

Johnson, 18, bounced around nine high schools and prep schools in five states and committed to Syracuse and Oregon before ultimately signing with Pitt over the summer. Ranked the No. 38 overall prospect and the No. 7 point guard in the Class of 2022 by Rivals.com, Johnson was the Panthers’ highest-rated recruit since Steven Adams in 2012. Adams, an NBA lottery pick in 2013, plays for the Memphis Grizzlies.

“Obviously, we know his journey. A lot of people have judged him because of all the different schools. If that’s the case, there’s a lot of guys in high schools, as much as these kids transfer and go to different schools,” Capel said. “He’s not a bad kid — at all — but learning how to be a part of something, learning how to trust, that’s something he’s got to go through. That’s how I know that we can help him. Not just our team but our university, our athletic department. Those are all areas we want to do.”

Pitt guard Jamarius Burton, a fifth-year senior, said Johnson addressed his teammates in the locker room before returning to practice and called his return a “family decision” that “everyone that was involved had great input on what we wanted to do.”

It marked the third consecutive season the Panthers have had a player suspended while facing criminal charges, following forward John Hugley in January 2021 and guard Ithiel Horton last year. Both were later reinstated to the team.

“Nothing’s linear. There’s always some ebbs and flows,” Burton said. “Things change, with injuries and other things like that that could take away from the whole group being together. During those moments, it’s just next-man-up, opportunities for other players. We just try to get better as a group regardless of who’s in the locker room and putting on the jersey.”

Capel said Johnson hasn’t played basketball since Oct. 7, so returning requires a ramp-up process that becomes even more challenging and increases the risk of injury now that the Panthers are in ACC play. Pitt (9-4, 2-0 ACC) hosts No. 25 North Carolina (9-4, 1-1) in its conference home opener at noon Friday at Petersen Events Center.

Meantime, Johnson gives the Panthers a skilled guard against whom to practice in preparation for ACC foes.

“He’s a talented young guy,” Capel said. “Right now, we have a really good practice player, a guy that can simulate some really good guards that we can play against and give us a really good look. He’s good with the ball. He can shoot it. He can handle it. He has some creativity to him. He’s not afraid. He loves to play basketball. He loves to compete.”

What Capel wants Johnson to absorb from Pitt’s older players is the discipline and work ethic required to play major-college basketball and how to be a better teammate, all lessons he can learn during his redshirt season.

“My thing is what would be best for him,” Capel said. “Obviously, I’m always thinking about our program, but you’ve got a young guy that we’re trying to teach. I still think we’re in the business of teaching, at least that’s why I got into this thing and helping young people. I feel like he’s a kid we can help and we’re going to try to help.”