MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — Just when it felt like West Virginia might be closing in on one of the more intriguing under the radar additions of the offseason, the Mountaineers got bad news.
According to ESPN, Division II standout Kraig Gilbert has committed to Pitt after taking a visit to Morgantown earlier this week. The 6 foot 9 forward out of Concord University was one of the hottest small school names left in the transfer portal and looked like a player Ross Hodge and the staff were seriously pushing to land for that final roster spot.
Instead, Gilbert is headed to one of West Virginia’s biggest rivals.
And honestly, this one stings a little.
Division-II transfer Kraig Gilbert has committed to Pitt, sources told ESPN. 6-foot-9 forward from Concord University was one of the best D2 transfers in the portal, averaged 16.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, while shooting 48% from 3 on more than five attempts per game. pic.twitter.com/a3TCpIwJIR
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) May 8, 2026
Gilbert is not your typical Division II transfer. The Grove City, Ohio native has a ridiculous blend of size, athleticism, shooting ability and upside that made high major programs start paying close attention. Before an injury cut his 2025-26 season short at Concord, Gilbert averaged 16.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting an absurd 48 percent from three point range on more than five attempts per game. At 6 foot 9, those numbers jump off the page.
The scary part? Many people around the Mountain East Conference felt he was only scratching the surface.
During the 2024-25 season, Gilbert emerged as one of the league’s top freshmen, averaging 9.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while showing flashes of becoming a legitimate high major talent. His athleticism is what really caught attention though. The guy moves like a wing, plays above the rim and has some highlight dunks that honestly do not look like they came from the Division II level.
West Virginia clearly saw the upside and brought him in for a visit over the past couple of days, hoping to add another versatile frontcourt piece to a roster that has already been completely rebuilt this offseason. Instead, Gilbert chose to head to University of Pittsburgh and join the Panthers.
That is going to frustrate some WVU fans simply because this felt like the exact type of developmental player that could explode under Ross Hodge. A long, athletic forward who can stretch the floor, protect the rim and still has room to grow? That fits perfectly with the style Hodge appears to be building in Morgantown.
Now the question becomes where West Virginia turns next.
The Mountaineers have already landed an impressive haul this offseason with players like Mouhamed Sylla, Joson Sanon, Finley Bizjack, Seydou Traore, Martin Somerville and Javan Buchanan joining the program alongside a loaded freshman class featuring Amadou Seini, Aliou Dioum and Miles Sadler. But there still appears to be room for another piece, especially in the frontcourt.
Gilbert would have been a fascinating addition.
Instead, WVU fans may now have to watch him develop into a star wearing Pitt colors.
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