Post by WVUfanPHILLY on Aug 13, 2007 14:50:02 GMT -5
By JIM BUTTA
VIENNA—Collectibles Etc has been known for doing things in a ‘big’ way. Just check out its new ‘super store’ in the Grand Central Mall.
However, Saturday, they may have even outdone themselves as former West Virginia University All-American Kevin Pittsnogle was in town signing autographs and trading stories with fans of the gold and blue.
“This is actually only the second time I’ve been in Parkersburg,” Pittsnogle explained. “The last time was during my senior season at Martinsburg.”
A season that propelled the 7-footer to a full scholarship offer from the Mountaineers and a four-year career which ended with back-to-back Sweet 16s and a trip to the Elite Eight during his junior year.
However, a projected first round pick in the 2006 NBA draft ended in frustration as Pittsnogle and WVU teammate Mike Gansey received snubs instead of dollars. That didn’t stop the Mountaineers’ career 3-point shooter (253 from 2003-06) from following his dream of playing in the NBA as he signed a two-year contract with the Boston Celtics.
Things continued to not work out for the WVU grad as Boston placed Pittsnogle on waivers in October, 2006. One month later, however, he was picked up by the Pittsburgh Xplosion of the CBA.
In February, 2007, he was selected to the CBA All-Star game after posting a 23.5 points per game average and currently holds the league’s single-game record for points with 44.
However, in March, the Xplosion placed him on the team’s inactive reserve list due to tendinitis in his non-shooting elbow.
Even with the injury, Pittsnogle was considered to be a leading candidate for the CBA’s Rookie of the Year award as he was averaging 19.4 ppg and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 86.8 percent from the charity stripe.
That didn’t happen, but it garnered him another summer workout with the Cleveland Cavaliers in July. Pittsnogle then signed with French Pro A league’s Cholet Basket.
Cholet Basket plays in the Ligue Nationale de Basketball. Their home arena is La Meilleraie.
“Right now, I’m just trying to work my way back into the NBA,” said Pittsnogle. “We’ll play in France for a year and see how that goes.”
Pittsnogle was slated to fly out of the country this morning and was expected to land in Paris en route to his new home in Chelot, France.
“It’s a good situation right now,” continued the player. “I can continue to work on my game and make a living for my family at the same time. But the dream of playing in the NBA will still be there.”
A dream that he hopes will come to fruition next summer.
Contact Jim Butta via at
jbutta@newsandsentinel.com
VIENNA—Collectibles Etc has been known for doing things in a ‘big’ way. Just check out its new ‘super store’ in the Grand Central Mall.
However, Saturday, they may have even outdone themselves as former West Virginia University All-American Kevin Pittsnogle was in town signing autographs and trading stories with fans of the gold and blue.
“This is actually only the second time I’ve been in Parkersburg,” Pittsnogle explained. “The last time was during my senior season at Martinsburg.”
A season that propelled the 7-footer to a full scholarship offer from the Mountaineers and a four-year career which ended with back-to-back Sweet 16s and a trip to the Elite Eight during his junior year.
However, a projected first round pick in the 2006 NBA draft ended in frustration as Pittsnogle and WVU teammate Mike Gansey received snubs instead of dollars. That didn’t stop the Mountaineers’ career 3-point shooter (253 from 2003-06) from following his dream of playing in the NBA as he signed a two-year contract with the Boston Celtics.
Things continued to not work out for the WVU grad as Boston placed Pittsnogle on waivers in October, 2006. One month later, however, he was picked up by the Pittsburgh Xplosion of the CBA.
In February, 2007, he was selected to the CBA All-Star game after posting a 23.5 points per game average and currently holds the league’s single-game record for points with 44.
However, in March, the Xplosion placed him on the team’s inactive reserve list due to tendinitis in his non-shooting elbow.
Even with the injury, Pittsnogle was considered to be a leading candidate for the CBA’s Rookie of the Year award as he was averaging 19.4 ppg and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 86.8 percent from the charity stripe.
That didn’t happen, but it garnered him another summer workout with the Cleveland Cavaliers in July. Pittsnogle then signed with French Pro A league’s Cholet Basket.
Cholet Basket plays in the Ligue Nationale de Basketball. Their home arena is La Meilleraie.
“Right now, I’m just trying to work my way back into the NBA,” said Pittsnogle. “We’ll play in France for a year and see how that goes.”
Pittsnogle was slated to fly out of the country this morning and was expected to land in Paris en route to his new home in Chelot, France.
“It’s a good situation right now,” continued the player. “I can continue to work on my game and make a living for my family at the same time. But the dream of playing in the NBA will still be there.”
A dream that he hopes will come to fruition next summer.
Contact Jim Butta via at
jbutta@newsandsentinel.com
