Men’s Basketball: Gibbs improves after summer in Auckland

As a true freshman last season, Pitt guard Ashton Gibbs was a solid performer coming off the… As a true freshman last season, Pitt guard Ashton Gibbs was a solid performer coming off the bench. Gibbs paced all Big East players with a .439 3-point shooting percentage in 2008.

He even earned the nickname “Microwave,” after he continuously came off the bench to hit 3-pointers.

In 2009, Microwave will be expected to step into a much bigger role.

With the departure of star point guard Levance Fields, Gibbs will likely split time at the point with redshirt freshman Travon Woodall and senior transfer Chase Adams.

Despite losing Fields, Pitt coach Jamie Dixon thinks he has three young guards who can contribute.

“We lost a great point guard in Levance Fields,” Dixon said. “We took [Woodall and Gibbs] in the same recruiting class, and we couldn’t be in a better position with these two guys.”

While Pitt senior guard Jermaine Dixon recovers from a broken foot that will sideline him for the first part of the 2009 campaign, Gibbs will also likely see significant time at shooting guard for Pitt.

Even once Dixon returns, which might be in time for the O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic Nov. 23, Gibbs should see significant time at both guard positions.

“When we get Jermaine back, those four guys will be interchangeable,” Coach Dixon said after Pitt’s Blue-Gold game Oct. 27.

With the departure of Fields, along with DeJuan Blair, Sam Young and Tyrell Biggs, the Panthers should be a more guard-oriented team on offense. Because of this, Gibbs knew he had to elevate his game for the upcoming season and made sure to put in the extra work this summer.

“I really worked on my conditioning, my ball-handling and my shooting, as well,” Gibbs said. “Hopefully you’ll see a different Ashton from last year, and I think you will.”

One of the highlights of Gibbs’ summer came when he helped lead the Under-19 USA Basketball Team to a gold medal in Auckland, New Zealand. Dixon served as head coach for the team.

“It was big on a confidence level,” Gibbs said about his time with Team USA. “Just to know that I can play with some of the best players in the world, I think that changed a lot for me.”

The sophomore guard averaged 9.8 points per game, dished out 20 assists and led the team in minutes played en route to Team USA’s 9-0 record at the FIBA World Championships.

Gibbs hopes he can take what he learned from his international playing experience into this season.

“I think I played some of my best defense this summer with Team USA,” Gibbs said. “I’m going to try to carry what I learned [at the world championships] into this season.”

Dixon thinks that Gibbs’ time playing for Team USA had a profound impact on his game.

“I think Ashton learned a lot, I think he got better,” Dixon said. “I think you’ll see a different player when you see him play.”

The freshman that came off the bench and provided a spark last year will be expected to develop into a consistent scoring threat for the Panthers in 2009.

As this season unfolds, don’t be surprised if the Microwave burns hotter than ever.