The University of Pittsburgh announced that former Panthers Jamarius Burton and KJ Marshall have been named player development specialists for the 2026‑27 men’s basketball season, a move that places two alumni directly into the program’s coaching pipeline.
A New Chapter for Pitt Basketball
In their new capacities, Burton and Marshall will work closely with the coaching staff on practice planning, scout‑team preparation and targeted skill development, tasks that bridge the gap between everyday drills and game‑day strategy.
Both men bring a deep familiarity with the program’s culture; Burton, who started 60 of 64 games during his senior season and earned first‑team All‑ACC honors, returns after a professional stint in Belgium, while Marshall, a walk‑on who contributed energy over three years, has spent the past two years as a graduate manager.
Leveraging a Broad Educational Background
Their pathways through Wichita State, Texas Tech, Garden City Community College and Mars Hill University have equipped them with diverse competitive experiences, allowing them to offer nuanced perspectives when shaping player growth initiatives.
The appointments underscore the Panthers’ commitment to developing talent from within, using the expertise of alumni who have navigated both the collegiate and international stages.