Recruit named All-American

For the first time in 22 years, a Pitt basketball recruit was named to the prestigious… For the first time in 22 years, a Pitt basketball recruit was named to the prestigious McDonald’s All-America team Wednesday night. Dante Taylor, who will enter the program for the 2009-10 season, achieved the honor and will participate in the 32nd annual McDonald’s High School All-America Game in Miami, Fla., on April 1 at 8 p.m. The event will air on ESPN. ‘I don’t think it changes the kid,’ said Pitt coach Jamie Dixon. ‘He’s a hardworking kid, and he’s excited to be here in Pittsburgh. He’s won a lot of games.’ The 6-foot-9, 230-pound power forward from White Plains, N.Y., is averaging 24 points and 10 rebounds for National Christian Academy in Maryland. His team is currently 20-5 after going 22-7 last season. Taylor was ranked as a five-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com. He is the fifth Panther to be a McDonald’s All-American. The last time Pitt gained such a recruit came in 1987, when both Bobby Martin and Brian Shorter made the squad. Charles Smith (1984) and Jerome Lane (1985), who both went on to play in the NBA, round out Pitt’s all-time list. ‘He’s coming here for the right reasons,’ said Dixon. ‘He was much about loyalty. We recruited him since his freshman year. That went a long way, and I think that’s something that he mentioned.’