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The last time you probably heard about Elijah Pittman was in the news for all the wrong reasons. The former Marshall standout was indicted on battery charges in August after an altercation with another Marshall student. Pittman did suit up 9 games for the Herd but then left for the D-League for "off-court issues pertaining to protecting himself and his family at his home caught up with him resulting in his suspension from the team during which he voluntary left the school to pursue his career in professional basketball." according to a release from his agent.
Pittman was quickly picked up by the Delaware 87ers where he averaged 10 points and 3.6 rebounds per game for the Philadelphia 76ers farm team.
You won't find the 6'9 forward on many draft boards right now but his talent is undeniable after averaging over 16 points and 4 rebounds per game in his last season in Huntington. Pittman also drained 65 3-pointers, the tenth most by any member member of the Thundering Herd in program history.
Pittman has not only focused on basketball but his role off the court:
"I realize that everyone’s not perfect. People learn from their mistakes and that’s exactly what I did. I’ve grown from that experience, and in no way is it a reflection of the person I am today.
The most important lesson I learned was that life can take everything away just as quickly as it gives.I f you’re not doing to right things, you can end up in a very different place." (via WCM).
No one will know if the point forward is ready for the big leagues but he seems to have the right state of mind after his career ended without a proper ending at Marshall.
"I’ve spent a lot of time handing out food for the homeless," said Pittman. "I also helped administer used clothes to the homeless with Kroger grocery stores. But other than that, I eat, sleep and drink basketball. I want coaches to know that I’m as hard working and humble as anyone else. I want an opportunity in the NBA more than anything, and to prove people wrong and that I am cut out for this."
Look for Pittman to continue to claw back on a Summer League roster and don't be surprised if you hear his name called in the 2nd Round of this year's draft.