Pittsburgh Basketball: Panthers' Recruit Shaquille Doorson Is a Perfect Match

The Pittsburgh Panthers basketball team has been consistently known as a grinder of a group under coach Jamie Dixon, and with incoming recruit Shaquille Doorson making his way onto campus next season, not much will change.

Doorson, a Canarias Basketball Academy center, is first and foremost considered an absolute force underneath the basket as a defender and athlete. While the Dutch player is definitely raw with post moves, he will still be a factor offensively, because he will grab offensive boards and throw down huge game-changing dunks. Scouts say Doorson loves to go right at defenses and will finish through fouls. He will have to use that to his advantage in the ACC where being physical is not as en vogue as it once was.

Doorson should be an immediate factor for the Panthers because of his power and athleticism, and he will have to contribute early and often if the Panthers are going to be serious contenders for an NCAA tournament run. Despite his European background, Doorson is not a player who will step outside and that fits right into the Panthers’ system. He is exactly what Dixon likes in a big man and his skill set will only improve. It is expected Doorson’s offense will come with time, and if he progresses throughout the season, it is likely Pittsburgh will become a team opponents do not want to see come January. Doorson is the only high-level recruit coming to Pittsburgh, and just like every year, fans should expect a grace period of development.

Patience will be the key for Doorson, and if the Panthers can wait on him to develop, he will be a towering force for years to come.

Gregory T. Philson is an ACC basketball writer at www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @GTPhilson, “Like” him on Facebook, and add him to your network on Google. Read more here.