Kevin Pittsnogle
Kevin Pittsnogle | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 30, 1984 Martinsburg, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Professional basketball player (retired), educator, school principal |
| Years active | 2003–2010 (professional basketball) |
| Known for | College basketball at West Virginia University; professional career in CBA and NBA Development League |
Kevin Lee Pittsnogle Jr. (born July 30, 1984) is a retired American professional basketball athlete. His professional career included stints with the Pittsburgh Xplosion in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) as well as playing for the Austin Toros and Albuquerque Thunderbirds in the NBA Development League (NBA D-League). Pittsnogle is most prominently recognized for his time playing college basketball at West Virginia University.
College career
Originating from Martinsburg, West Virginia, Pittsnogle quickly established himself at West Virginia University, delivering notable performances such as scoring 26 points against Rutgers on January 26, 2003, and contributing 24 points in a game against Syracuse on February 8, 2003.
During the majority of the 2004–05 season, he primarily came off the bench until February 5, 2005, when he was inserted into the starting lineup due to D'or Fischer’s illness. In that game, he tallied 27 points in an upset victory over Pitt and maintained his starting role for the remainder of the season. In the 2005 NCAA Tournament, Pittsnogle scored 22 points and grabbed 8 rebounds during a Sweet 16 win against Texas Tech and led his team with 25 points in an overtime loss to Louisville.
He declared for the 2005 NBA draft but did so without hiring an agent, which allowed him to retain collegiate eligibility. Ultimately, he withdrew from the draft and returned to complete his senior season.
His collegiate tenure concluded following a narrow Sweet 16 defeat to Texas in the 2006 NCAA Tournament. Despite hitting a crucial three-pointer with five seconds remaining to tie the game, Texas clinched a last-second victory with a buzzer-beater.
At West Virginia University, Pittsnogle stands sixth all-time in scoring with 1,708 career points, ranks second in career three-point shooting percentage at 41.1%, is twenty-fifth in total rebounds with 563, holds the record for most games played at 128, and is ninth in games started with 105.
Professional career
Though anticipated to be selected in the 2006 NBA draft, neither Pittsnogle nor teammate Mike Gansey were drafted, resulting in Pittsnogle entering free agency. On July 25, 2006, he signed a two-year deal with the Boston Celtics but was released on October 20 before the season began. Subsequently, on November 8, 2006, he joined the CBA’s Pittsburgh Xplosion.
During his time in the CBA, Pittsnogle earned selection to the All-Star game after posting an average of 23.5 points per contest and set a league single-game scoring record by putting up 44 points. On March 9, 2007, tendinitis led to his placement on inactive reserve status. He also received recognition by being named to the CBA All-Rookie Team.
In July 2007, Pittsnogle participated with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Summer League squad and signed with French Pro A team Cholet Basket, although he was released prior to the start of their season. He was then chosen twelfth overall in the 2007 NBA Development League draft by the Austin Toros, but was waived in January 2008 and shortly afterward picked up by the Albuquerque Thunderbirds.
By mid-2008, Pittsnogle stepped away from professional basketball to pursue work as a middle school teacher and served as an unpaid assistant coach at a high school. During this period, his weight increased beyond 300 pounds which impacted his potential return to professional play; later medical evaluation revealed a thyroid disorder for which medication helped him shed approximately 25 pounds. He currently resides in Martinsburg with his wife and their seven children.
Pittsnogle attempted to revive his basketball career with the Albuquerque Thunderbirds in late 2009 but retired once more on February 16, 2010 due to personal considerations. Toward the end of that year, he joined a semiprofessional team based in Winchester, Virginia, and by 2012 became involved with another semipro squad located in Jefferson County, West Virginia.
Personal life
Following the conclusion of his basketball tenure, Pittsnogle shifted his focus toward the business and education sectors. He initially worked as an automobile dealer in Martinsburg, West Virginia, before moving into roles as a special education instructor, a high school basketball coach, and ultimately serving as principal at North Middle School. He resides in Martinsburg with his wife and their combined family of eight children.
Awards and accomplishments
- Big East Academic All-Star recognition
- Named a finalist for the 2003 USA Basketball Junior World Championship squad
- Selected for the 2007 CBA All-Star Team
- Included in the 2007 CBA All-Rookie Team
- Runner-Up in the 2020 xReiLox Fantasy League