DeJuan Blair, PF

Blair was comfortable starring at Pitt. The Hill District native grew up in a house 600 yards from Petersen Events Center and attended a high school just one mile away from the University of Pittsburgh campus. He began attending Panthers' basketball games when he was in seventh grade. Blair dunked a basketball for the first time as a 6-foot-4 eighth-grader, accomplishing the feat at Pittsburgh's Ammons Recreation Center.

Blair was so familiar with the university, that at the time he announced that he would sign a letter of intent to attend the school, he boasted that he knew the Pittsburgh campus even better than the team's coaching staff. His cousin, Cameron Saddler, played on the Panthers' football team.

Blair's mother, Shari Saddler, was also a standout basketball player. She averaged 20 points and 20 rebounds per game at Serra Catholic High School in the 1980s. His father, Greg Blair, played basketball at nearby Schenley High, the school where his son would later go on to shatter numerous records.

Blair lettered four times in basketball, helping the team compile a 103-16 overall record and a 57-0 career record vs. Pittsburgh City League teams, as he scored a total of 1,563 points. He was named the Associated Press Pennsylvania State Player of the Year and was a two-time AP All-State pick. He earned Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Area Player of the Year and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous Five honors (was the only player in 22 years to earn that Post-Gazette accolade three consecutive seasons) as a senior after guiding Schenley High to the PIAA Class 4A state championship, becoming the first City League team to win the state title since 1978.

In the state title game, Blair scored 18 points, grabbed 23 rebounds and blocked six shots in a 78-71 win over Chester. He averaged 16.2 points and 14 rebounds per game in leading Schenley to a 29-3 overall record, an 11th-place national ranking by USA Today and consensus top-20 national ranking. He also led the Spartans to their third consecutive City League title, becoming just the fourth team in the past 50 years to win three straight titles.

The three-time Pittsburgh City League Player of the Year earned Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous Five and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 10 honors after averaging 17 points, 12 rebounds and four assists as a junior. The three-time All-City League selection led Schenley to a PIAA Class 4A state title game before losing the championship game to Lower Merion (60-58) and finishing with a 30-2 record as a junior. He was named second-team All-State as a sophomore after leading the Spartans on a 30-game win streak that led to the state finals.

In Summer League competition, Blair was named MVP of the Roundball Classic. He played on the USA Junior All-Star squad that toured Europe with teammate Brad Wanamaker, as he earned MVP honors after scoring 25 points and grabbing 16 rebounds for Team USA in the title game vs. Russia (played in France). He also averaged a double-double for the squad in the team's five games played.

Blair also played for the Pittsburgh JOTS AAU Team for Head Coach J.O. Stright and assistant Darelle Porter. He helped guide the team to a seventh place finish at the AAU Nationals in Orlando, Florida. He scored 24 points in the title game to lead the JOTS to the Pittsburgh JamFest title at the Petersen Events Center and was named MVP of the West Virginia Jam Fest.

In 2007-08, Blair became the first Schenley High School player to letter in basketball at Pittsburgh since Wayne Williams (1975-79) and Sonny Lewis (1976-78). He was the first Pittsburgh City League player to compete for Pitt since Darelle Porter (1987-91), who graduated from Perry Traditional High School. He selected Pittsburgh over Florida, Kansas State, Indiana, Marquette, Miami, West Virginia, Wake Forest and Tennessee.

As a true freshman, Blair was a unanimous Freshman All-American selection, Big East Conference Rookie of the Year, All-Big East honorable mention honoree and three-time national player of the week. He led the Big East in offensive rebounding (3.89 offensive rebounds per game) while averaging a total of 9.1 boards per game. He became a fan favorite for his glowing on-court personality, along with his scoring touch (11.6 points per game), ability to contest shots (41 blocks) and disrupt passing lanes (62 steals and 35 assists in 37 games).

In 2008-09, Blair earned All-American and All-Big East Conference first-team honors. He turned in his third 20-rebound performance as a sophomore, tying the school career record. The Wooden Award and Oscar Robertson Award finalist ranked fourth nationally with an average of 12.3 rebounds per game and again led the NCAA with 195 offensive boards (5.57 offensive rebounds per game). He blocked 34 shots, had 54 steals and handed out 42 assists while pacing the Panthers with an average of 15.7 points per game, shooting .593 from the floor in 35 contests.

Positives: Lacks the ideal size you look for in a power forward or center, but has an ideal wingspan (7-feet-3) … Combines power, athleticism, finesse, quickness and personality … Is a physical power forward with outstanding court awareness and passing ability … Uses his long wingspan for rebounding position and to disrupt passing lanes on defense … Is an aggressive rebounder and attacks the glass on offense and defense … Has drawn comparisons to former Pitt star Brian Shorter for his combination of low-post power and finesse moves and former Pitt center Sam Clancy for his ability to play the center position at his height … Despite giving up several inches vs. opposing centers is very physical under the boards and has a strong frame to effectively establish position when working in the post … High-energy type with great leaping ability, as he excels as a rebounder, especially off the offensive glass, and does a great job getting to putbacks … Uses his body well to box out his opponent … Willing to do the dirty work and is an all-out hustler who charges like a runaway train going after loose balls … Better suited for a half-court offense, but has enough foot speed and stamina to get up and down the court … Even though he can act like a bull in a china shop at times, he gives total effort on the court and was the most competitive court leader Pitt has produced since Sam Clancy (1977-81) … Built more in the lines of an offensive lineman, his upper-body strength is evident by his outstanding success competing for boards … Known for his dominance in the paint but he also displays large, soft hands and dishes the ball out of the post … When establishing inside position, no defender can move him out -- he has the anchor and balance to set up screens and is like a walking wall on pick-and-roll plays, doing a nice job of drawing contact on the way to the rim … Very unselfish player, is coachable and has a great understanding for team concept … Has the most NBA-ready body of all frontcourt players in this draft class … Ratio of 18 rebounds per 40 minutes was by far the best of any draft eligible player (also better than any player in the last 10 years) … Greatly improved physique and conditioning prior to his sophomore year and has deceptive quickness that he uses effectively when playing in the post … Can dribble and pass effectively and shows patience and maturity against sagging defenses … When he gets into the passing lanes, he is very effective using his incredible reach to take the shooter off the dribble … With his court vision and strength, even NBA types will have problems trying to double-team him in the post, as he is quite effective using his body to lean into defenders when attempting to create space for his shot … Plays with a low center of gravity but very good agility for his size, making him a likely asset as a screen-setting post player in the NBA … While he might not have great leaping ability, he holds his position well on the block and is strong enough to carry a defender on his back … Lacks a mid-range game, but uses his wide body to draw contact and finish at the basket.

Negatives: Lacks the height or leaping ability scouts look for in a power forward or center, but uses his long wingspan to compensate … Has good quickness, but not enough to play the open court (much better in half-court action) … Must do a better job of timing leaps and not biting on hesitation moves when forced out to defend at the perimeter … Must spend the summer working on refining his developing jump shot … Unable to create his own shot coming off the dribble … Poor-to-marginal free throw shooter and any team that drafts him will need to pair him with a shooting coach to refine his form and technique … Worked hard to reduce his overall body fat percentage, but still could use more conditioning … Has decent quickness, but lacks explosion to create his shot vs. the quicker forwards.

Compares To: CARLOS BOOZER, Utah - In a strong half-court game, Blair will become an instant fan favorite. He is a high-energy type with sensational rebounding skills, especially on the offensive glass. He is a punishing player under the boards and when he gains position in the post, he is too strong to be rooted out. He draws contact and can split double teams but needs to improve as a free throw shooter. He has good hands and uses his wingspan to clog passing lanes. Most of his scoring came on dunks and putbacks and he's unlikely to become an asset on the perimeter. He has the low center of gravity and fleet feet to be a weapon in a pick-and-roll or high-screen offense.

--Report by Dave-Te' Thomas

Blair became the first Pitt player since 1958 to earn first-team All-American honors from the Associated Press. The last Panther to garner that honor was Don Hennon … He finished third in the AP voting with 294 votes, behind Oklahoma's Blake Griffin (335 votes) and North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough (304 votes) … Also recognized as a first-team All-American selection by The NBA Draft Report, the United States Basketball Writers Association, The Sporting News and Sports Illustrated … Finalist for the Naismith, Wooden and USBWA Oscar Robertson National Player of the Year awards … Unanimous All-Big East Conference first-team pick … Helped guide Pitt to a 31-5 record, a second place finish in the Big East regular season (15-3 slate) and the program's first-ever No. 1 ranking in three different weeks this year … Pitt also went undefeated at 19-0 at home, won its first 16 games to start the season and defeated the nation's top-ranked team twice … The All-East Regional selection, co-Big East Player of the Year, USBWA District II Player of the Year and the Big East's only unanimous All-Big East first-team honoree, Blair concluded his sophomore season averaging 15.7 points per game, totaling 550 points, as he shot .593 from the floor (226 of 381) and .605 from the foul line (98 of 162) … Led the league and ranked fourth in the nation with an average of 12.3 rebounds per game, pulling down a total of 432 boards (led the nation with 195 offensive, adding 237 defensive) … Posted two 20-20 performances on the season (vs. Notre Dame and vs. Connecticut), totaled 21 double-double games, scored 20 or more points in 11 contests and grabbed 10 or more rebounds in 22 games … Set the school record for most rebounds over a two-game stretch with 41 (23 vs. UConn, 18 vs. DePaul), surpassing the previous two-game record of 38 set by Jerome Lane in 1987-88 … Added 42 assists (1.2 apg), 54 steals (1.5 spg) and 34 blocked shots (1.0 bpg) … Greatly reduced his turnovers from the previous season (71 to 44).

Consensus Freshman All-American selection … Named Big East Newcomer of the Year by The NBA Draft Report … All-Big East Conference honorable mention, first-team Big East All-Freshman Team choice and honored as the Big East's co-Rookie of the Year … Selected to the NABC All-District II second-Team … Three-time National Freshman of the Week pick by Rivals.com (11/13, 12/12, 12/18) … Three-time Big East Rookie of the Week selection (12/17, 12/23, 1/14) … Became the first player in school history to both surpass the 400-point and 300-rebound marks as a freshman … Ranked 39th nationally in rebounds per game (9.1 rpg.) … Ranked among the Big East leaders in rebounding (fourth, 337 total), field goal percentage (.537, seventh), steals (11th with 62), offensive rebounding (led the nation with a 3.89 average) and defensive rebounding (ninth with 193) … Set the Pitt freshman season records for games started (36), games played (37), rebounds (337) and field goals made (168) … Also ranked among the school freshman season leaders in minutes played (fourth-963), points (second-429), scoring average (fourth-11.6), field goal attempts (second-313), field goal percentage (fifth-.537), free throws made (second-93), free throw attempts (second-149), rebound average (third, 9.1), steals (third-62) and steals average (third-1.7) … Became just the second freshman in school history to grab over 300 rebounds in a season and set the school freshman game record for most offensive rebounds (10 vs. Houston Baptist, 11/9) … Registered 14 point-rebound double-doubles on the year, one shy of Pitt's freshman record of 15 set by Sam Clancy (1977-78) … Reached double figure scoring in 25 games and double figure rebounding 17 times … Averaged 9.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals in Pitt's two NCAA Tournament games.

In 2008-09, Blair became the first Pittsburgh player to earn Associated Press All-American first-team honors since 1958 (Don Hennon) … In 72 games at Pitt, he scored 979 points (13.6 points per game) and shot .568 from the field (394 of 694 FGs) and .614 from the foul line (191 of 311) … Led the nation in offensive rebounds in each of his two seasons (144 in 2007-08 and 195 in 2008-09) … Grabbed 769 total rebounds (10.7 rebounds per game), as he blocked 75 shots (1.0 blocks per game), had 116 steals (1.6 steals per game) and 77 assists (1.1 assists per game) for his career … Holds the school season-record with two 20-rebound performances in a season (22 vs. North Dakota and 23 vs. Connecticut in 2008-09) and his three 20-rebound contests tied the Pitt career-record that he shares with Jerome Lane (1984-88) … His two-game rebound total of 41 in back-to-back contests (23 vs. Connecticut and 18 vs. DePaul in 2009) broke the old school record of 38 by Jerome Lane (21 vs. Connecticut and 17 vs. Villanova, 1986-87) … Teamed with Sam Young (225), as the tandem recorded 657 rebounds in 2008-09, the best total by two Panthers players in the same season since Jerome Lane and Charles Smith set the school season-record with 726 boards in 1987-88 … His 550 points scored in 2008-09 rank 17th on the school season-record list and his career average of 13.6 points per game rank 18th all-time … Produced 35 double-double performances during his career, tying Ricardo Greer (1997-2001) for fifth on the school all-time record list, topped by Sam Clancy (66, 1977-81), Billy Knight (50, 1971-72), Jerome Lane (46, 1985-88) and Charles Smith (42, 1984-88) … Despite playing in just 72 games, he recorded at least ten rebounds in 41 contests, ranking fifth in school history behind Sam Clancy (78), Jerome Lane (53), Billy Knight (50) and Charles Smith (42) … He had at least ten rebounds in 26 games during 2008-09, two shy of the Pitt season-record of 28 by Jerome Lane in 1986-87 … His 226 field goals made in 2008-09 rank tenth on the school season-record list … His field goal percentage of .593 that year rank second on the Pitt annual record chart, topped by Brian Shorter (.600; 204 of 340, 1988-89) … Only Chevon Troutman (.625; 486 of 778, 2001-05), Ontario Lett (.589; 245 of 416, 2001-03) and Chris Taft (.569; 321 of 564, 2003-05) produced a better career field goal percentage than Blair's .568 (394 of 694) in school history … His 432 rebounds in 2008-09 rank second on the Panthers' season-record list behind Jerome Lane (444 in 1986-87) … His 337 rebounds in 2007-08 rank ninth on that list and are the most by a Pitt freshman … His average of 10.7 rebounds per game placed Blair sixth on the school's career-record list …

Recorded 23 rebounds vs. Connecticut in 2009, ranking third on the Pitt game-record chart behind Don Virostek (26 vs. Westminster, 1952) and John Fridley (24 vs. Carnegie Tech, 1961) … Blair's 195 offensive rebounds in 2008-09 are topped only by Jerome Lane (198 in 1986-87) on the school annual record charts and his 339 offensive boards tied Lane (93 games, 1985-88) for third on Pitt's career-record books behind Ricardo Greer (365 in 117 games, 1997-2001) and Isaac Hawkins (343 in 118 games, 1996-2001) … His 237 defensive rebounds in 2008-09 tied Lane (1987-88) for second on the school annual record chart behind Lane's 1986-87 total of 246.

2007-08: Sat out the Belmont game (11/25) with right knee inflammation.

Summer: Named MVP of the Roundball Classic … Played on the USA Junior All-Star squad that toured Europe with teammate Brad Wanamaker, as he earned MVP honors after scoring 25 points and grabbing 16 rebounds for Team USA in the title game vs. Russia (played in France) … Also averaged a double-double for the squad in the team's five games played … Played for the Pittsburgh JOTS AAU Team for head coach J.O. Stright and assistant Darelle Porter … Helped guide the team to a seventh place finish at the AAU Nationals in Orlando, Florida … Scored 24 points in the title game to lead the JOTS to the Pittsburgh JamFest title at the Petersen Events Center and was named MVP of the West Virginia Jam Fest.

Attended Schenley (Pittsburgh, Pa.) High School, playing four seasons for basketball head coach Fred Skrocki … Helped the team compile a 103-16 overall record and a 57-0 career record vs. Pittsburgh City League teams, as he scored a total of 1,563 points … Named the Associated Press Pennsylvania State Player of the Year and was a two-time AP All-State pick … Earned Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Area Player of the Year and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous Five honors (was the only player in 22 years to earn that Post-Gazette accolade three consecutive seasons) as a senior after guiding Schenley High to the PIAA Class 4A state championship, becoming the first City League team to win the state title since 1978 … In that state title game, Blair scored 18 points, grabbed 23 rebounds and blocked six shots in a 78-71 decision over Chester … Averaged 16.2 points and 14 rebounds per game in leading Schenley to a 29-3 overall record, an 11th-place national ranking by USA Today and consensus top-20 national ranking … Also led the Spartans to their third consecutive City League title, becoming just the fourth team in the past 50 years to win three straight titles … The three-time Pittsburgh City League Player of the Year earned Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous Five and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 10 honors after averaging 17 points, 12 rebounds and four assists as a junior … The three-time All-City League selection led Schenley to a PIAA Class 4A state title game before losing the championship game to Lower Merion (60-58) and 30-2 record as a junior … Named second-team All-State as a sophomore after leading the Spartans on a 30-game win streak that led to the state finals.

Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences … Son of Shari Saddler and Greg Blair … His mother averaged 20 points and 20 rebounds at Serra Catholic in the 1980s … His father played basketball at Schenley High School … His cousin, Cameron Saddler, is a member of the University of Pittsburgh's football team … DeJuan's brother, Greg, started on the Schenley High state title team … Grew up in a house just 600 yards from the Pitt campus … Nickname is the "Big Fella" or simply "Fella" … Born DeJuan Blair on 4/22/89 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.