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University of Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon announced the addition of Ontario Lett and Steve Frankoski as graduate managers on the men’s basketball staff Friday. Lett and Frankoski will assist the coaching staff in developing game strategies, breaking down game film and planning practices.
“Ontario and Steve will be great additions to our staff,” said Dixon. “Both were very good college players and our expectation is that they will both be outstanding coaches in the future. They will be integral parts of our staff this season.”
Lett was an assistant coach at Pensacola State Junior College last season after spending the previous 10 years playing in various international leagues. As a player, Lett was known for his toughness in the lane on both ends of the floor. He began his career at Pensacola JC where he earned first team All-Panhandle honors before transferring to Pitt for his final two years of eligibility. The Panthers finished atop the Big East West Division and reached the Sweet Sixteen in 2002 and 2003 with Lett patrolling the middle. He earned Big East All-Tournament team honors in 2002 after Pitt fell to Connecticut, 74-65, in overtime in the title game. Lett grabbed All-Big East honorable mention accolades as a senior as the Panthers won the Big East Championships and earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Lett concluded his career with averages of 9.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 58.9 percent from the field in 68 games.
Frankoski, a Florham Park, N.J., native, was a four-year letterwinner and two-time team captain at Columbia, finishing his career with 702 points over 95 games. He graduated in 2015 with a degree in psychology and helped Columbia to a 22-13 record and an appearance in the CIT as a junior. Frankoski ranks fifth in the school record books with 168 three-point field goals and 10th in three-point field goal percentage (.398).
Pitt returns four starters, including All-ACC candidates Jamel Artis and Michael Young, from last year’s team that finished 19-15 overall and reached the NIT. Dixon’s staff is now comprised of 2003 All-America selection Brandin Knight and coaching veterans Bill Barton and Marlon Williamson along with Lett and Frankoski.
http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/082815aaa.html
