Hugley will focus on getting himself right for next season
Pittsburgh Panthers forward John Hugley’s season has come to an end. After missing the start of the season due to a preseason knee injury, Hugley stepped away last month to attend to some personal issues after appearing in eight games for the Panthers. Now Hugley has decided to step away for the remainder of the season to focus on his mental and physical health and will seek a redshirt.
Please respect my decision!! pic.twitter.com/eYJJ6C2m88
— John Hugley IV (@thejohnhugley) January 14, 2023
Hugley had a breakout campaign with Pitt last season, earning honorable mention All-ACC honors behind a 14.8-point, 7.9-rebound season in which he appeared in all of the Panthers’ 32 games. After missing the preseason with an injury, Hugley continued to try to work through the injury after his return but was never able to fully get back to his previous season.
Jeff Capel, the rest of the coaching staff, and his teammates have been consistently supportive of Hugley. That support will continue while Hugley takes time to be able to get the help and recovery needed.
“We are here to support John as he continues to learn to manage challenges in his personal life,” said head coach Jeff Capel. “John has worked hard to get to this point and should be applauded for seeking out the help to continue to grow as a young man. This next step will allow him the time and space to focus on his personal growth. We are here to provide love and support for him on this journey that will undoubtedly help him throughout his life.”
The Panthers will now look to continue to lean on players like Federiko Federiko to play a bigger role as the Panthers continue to fight for their first NCAA tournament bid since