Damier Pitts' skill overcomes his size

HUNTINGTON -- At first glance, Damier Pitts appears small for a major college men's basketball player. He's 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds.

Then you see him play and know he belongs. His court sense, quickness and ability to score overshadow any shortcomings.

Pitts is one of the Marshall freshmen who reported to campus this week and began playing in pick-up games with veteran teammates. Yes, he's small, but he packs some muscle on that 165-pound body.

And, he's a good player to boot.

Scout.com ranked Pitts at No. 96 on a list of the nation's top recruits. He was the No. 8 point guard.

"He's that talented," Marshall head coach Donnie Jones said.

Pitts is from Charlotte, N.C., but signed with Marshall after attending Hargrave Military Academy (Va.) for one year. As a high school senior he played for the Hargrave post-graduate prep school team coached by former Marshall assistant Kevin Keatts.

His final college choices were Marshall, Oklahoma, South Carolina and South Florida.

"We recruited one point guard last year -- Damier Pitts," Jones said. "We chased him. Every day, he was our focus."

And, what a year he had.

Hargrave posted a 29-0 record and won the prep school national championship. Pitts averaged 26 points in three national tournament games. In the championship, a 75-73 defeat of Findlay College Prep of Nevada, he had 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Jones said the freshman has great passion for the game.

Pitts arrived in town Saturday and was in the gym that night. He was back in Cam Henderson Center shooting and playing every night this week.

"He loves to play," Jones said.

Good point guards make other players better, Jones said.

Pitts appears to have the ability to do that.