Whatever Happened To Kevin Pittsnogle?

The New York Times tracks down one of my favorite players, Kevin Pittsnogle.
Over the course of two years, Pittsnogle he played for nine teams, in the Continental Basketball Association, the NBA’s development league, the NBA’s summer leagues, in France and in Puerto Rico.
But none of it worked out so now he's a middle school special education teacher in West Virginia earning $25,000 a year and wearing Bugs Bunny ties to work.



He is also an unpaid assistant coach for a high school basketball team. He bowls in leagues three nights a week and occasionally plays bingo at Big Bucks Bingo. His wife, Heather, is a bank teller. They have two children and live in a double-wide trailer, and together they wonder how much appetite they have for uprooting their lives again so Pittsnogle can have one more chance at a basketball career.
He was recently diagnosed with a thyroid condition that may be responsible for his weight, which may be responsible for why his basketball career never took off.
But his more immediate concern is to graduate special education students into regular classes.

The Right Place

Paul's Poop favorite, Kevin Pittsnogle signed a two-year deal with the Boston Celtics.
Pittsnogle, a 6-foot-11 center who is West Virginia's career 3-point leader, was passed over in June's NBA draft.
He played for the Miami Heat in a summer league, and Gansey signed a two-year deal with the Heat.
"Clearly, Kevin's strength is extending defenses with his range. He's big enough and he's got a quick trigger," agent Dan Tobin said. "He's a unique player, somewhat of a specialist at this point. We're trying to expand other areas of his game and I think that's what's going to help him make the transition."
Pittsnogle was reportedly slow and out of shape for the pre-draft period. He also isn't as strong as big men need to be.
I think he'll be a good fit on the Celtics where he will join a storied group of slow white guys, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale & Brian Scalabrine.

Toughness

I'll miss Pittsnogle. I can't wait to see what happens to him in the NBA draft. Hopefully teams were watching last night. A bloody nose did not deter him from hitting the game-tying shot with 5 seconds left.

The More We See, The More We Like

Just when I thought I couldn't love Kevin Pittsnogle anymore, I discover his wife uploaded pictures from their wedding. Remember this wedding was held in the high school auditorium, and the reception was seemingly in the gymnasium. They had "corn dogs and pizza...some dancing and karaoke. It was a lot of fun."

They also posted the sonogram pictures of their son, but only Kate is going to be interested in those.

Sleep Deprived?

Kevin Pittsnogle scored 0 points and missed all 12 of his shots in a McNamara-esque performance. Pittsburgh beat West Virginia, WVU's first Big East loss this season. Maybe Kwynsie James is keeping daddy up at night.

Pittsnogle Baby Details

Pittsnogle's wife, Heather, went into labor Thursday night, and they both spent the night in the hospital. At 5:31 p.m. Friday afternoon, she delivered a 22-inch, 9-pound, 5-ounce boy named Kwynsie James via Caesarean section. ("I thought of the name, she thought of the spelling," Kevin said.)
At noon Saturday, exhausted-but-elated dad was walking out to the center jump circle.
"It's probably the best feeling I've ever had in my life," Pittsnogle said.
Pittsnogle had been text-messaging updates on the baby's progress to Beilein on Thursday night and during the day Friday. The Mountaineers practiced Friday afternoon without Pittsnogle, and didn't know for sure until that night that he would play. When the baby and his wife came through healthy, he called in and said he'd be ready when they rolled out the blue-and-gold carpet Saturday to introduce the starters.
What did Heather say about his decision to play?
"She didn't say nothing," Pittsnogle said with a smile. "She's sleeping."
Pittsnogle said he left the hospital around midnight and went home to sleep for "five or six hours," while his mom, Tammy, stayed with his wife. He walked in for West Virginia's 8:30 walk-through with a picture of his newborn son and, as Beilein said, "a big smile on his face."
Pittsnogle got a 15-minute crash course on Cincinnati's sets and plays, information he missed from practice Friday. Then, a few hours later, it was time to locate enough energy to play 37 minutes against Bearcats strongman Eric Hicks.
"My teammates kept me up," he said, "and the adrenaline from the crowd got me going."
Down three coming out of halftime, Pittsnogle swished a pair of 3s in the first 100 seconds for a 36-33 lead and a huge momentum swing. Cincinnati immediately called timeout after the second 3-pointer, and West Virginia was largely in control from that point forward.
"He made a couple huge shots that changed the game," Cincy coach Andy Kennedy said.
It was not a virtuoso Pittsnogle performance. He shot 4 for 17 and finished with 12 points, more than seven below his season's average, and seven rebounds. But you try playing Big East basketball within hours of becoming a father.
"The man just had a great game, and he just assisted in childbirth," Beilein said. "I wanted people to give him a big round of applause. It was complete theater, that's all it was. I know everyone was probably clapping for Heather at the same time."
Pittsnogle said his family has already decided Kwynsie looks like Kevin did at birth. There's no telling whether he'll grow to be 6 feet 11, but dad is optimistic about the little man's potential shooting range.
"Hopefully 30 feet," he said.
And Pittsnogle has promised this: He'll find some spare room on his heavily inked body for a new tattoo honoring the arrival of Kwynsie James.
"There'll be one soon," he said. "Everyone will see."

It's a Boy

Heather Pittsnogle gave birth to a healthy baby boy Kwyncie James Pittsnogle, yesterday afternoon. Today Kwyncie's daddy scored 12 poits in a victory over Cincinnati.

A Good Day for Guys With Funny Names

Kevin Pittsnogle had 19 points, including a clutch 3-pointer late that ended St. John's comeback. He also grabbed 8 rebounds.
Matt Haryasz had 24 points (fifth straight 20 point game) and 10 rebounds as Stanford beat #9 Washington in overtime.
He was also part of an amazing play at the end of regulation.
Lawrence Hill inbounded from beneath Washington's basket to a lunging Haryasz, who flipped the ball to Chris Hernandez, who quickly released a 3 from the right wing and got fouled by Justin Dentmon as the buzzer went off. The officials quickly huddled to review the play, put .2 back on the clock and gave Hernandez three free throws. He made all three and sent the game into overtime.

We Still Love Him

My affinity for Kevin Pittsnogle is not diminished by his Patrick Ewing guarantee regarding West Virginia's game against Marshall.
Before the game he said:
“We’ll win. We’re going to do it. I have faith in my teammates. I know coach doesn’t like it, but I’m going to do it anyway. I guarantee a win. Myself and the other seniors have a pact. We know we’re going to win. There is no doubt. I guarantee it.”

After teh game he said:
"I'm still glad I said it. There's nothing wrong with what I said. I think it was just more like confidence.''

That's because WVU lost, 58-52. Pitts did have 20 points though.

That Game was the Pitts

Kevin Pittsnogle, my favorite college basketball player had a rough night last night. He led the #13 ranked West Virginia Mountaineers to a late lead over #2 Texas. With a 75-72 lead and 35 seconds left, and again with a 75-74 lead and 14 seconds on the clock, Pittsnogle missed the front end of a one and one both time. West Virginia lost 76-75 and Pitts finished with 9 points and 6 rebounds. Very surprising considering how well he did in the clutch last year against Wake Forest.