Where Are They Now: Mike Gansey & Kevin Pittsnogle
Led by a transfer from St. Bonaventure and a hometown 6-11 three-point shooter, the West Virginia Mountaineers were something special from 2004-06.
The school that the Logo himself put on the map was so surprisingly dominant that they reached consecutive Sweet 16’s, including an appearance in the Elite Eight in ‘05. Surprising, because they held a 46-22 record during those two seasons.
And they were led by even two more surprising candidates: Mike Gansey and Kevin Pittsnogle.
Remember Jay Bilas going loco over Gansey on Draft night in 2006? Gansey was projected to go as high as the mid-first round by many analyst’s mock boards, but we all know how mock boards turn out— Cedric Simmons, you’re double-double with fries is ready. Instead, both Gansey and his tattooed-teammate, Pittsnogle, both went undrafted to the dismay of Bilas and Mountaineer nation. With Renaldo Balkman being chosen in the first round and the Midwest twosome left to fight over summer league minutes, their future in basketball seemed cloudy.
During Gansey and Pittsnogle’s final two seasons in Morgantown, they had their fair share of exciting moments. I still remember watching Gansey go off for 29 points when the Mountaineers stunned the Chris Paul-led Demon Deacons in double overtime in the 2005 NCAA Tourney.
Pittsnogle was the smooth shooting center; a regular American Andrea Bargnani with calf tats. Gansey was the WVU workhorse and at 6-4, could get to the cup on just about anyone.
Where are these two Mountain Men now?
Nearly four years after their departure from mainstream college ball, both Gansey and Pittsnogle have decided to put their basketball careers on hold.
After bouncing around the CBA, D-League and a stint overseas, the ‘Snogle is now a middle school teacher in his hometown of Martinsburg W.Va. He’s probably teaching kids the technical art of the baby-J.
As for Mr. Gansey, after being waived by the Miami Heat right before his would-be rookie year in favor of Chris Quinn— a decision that still makes my head itch —he caught on with a variety of clubs. Most recently, Gansey posted 8.7 points a game over in Germany with Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. According to Mike Casazza of WVU Sports, Gansey too has decided to take a break from playing and has apparently become a sports reporter in Miami, Florida.
It’s too bad that neither player was able to make a solid impact in the professional ranks, but refreshing to see both make a run at another career. I feel like this is a good transition into the NCAA commercial, “There are 360000 NCAA student-athletes, and just about all of us will be going pro in something other than sports.”
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November 5th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Aron Phillips says:
These guys were the best! I always rocked a tee under my jersey.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Tbest says:
Kevin Pittsnogle = Kenny Powers
Good for him though, if basketball didn’t work out at least he’s doing something productive. A lot of times it doesn’t happen that way.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Gunner J. Matthews says:
I think I remember Kevin being on the Celtics roster at one point. Maybe it was their summer league team. He was very talented though
November 5th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Celts Fan says:
I’m kinda in shock Pittsnoggle’s not playing somewhere. Dude had too nice of a J to not be playing. Seemed like the type of guy that, if the NBA didn’t work out, would be a perfect fit as an international big man. Seems like a good guy who’s happy doing what he’s doing though and just wants to help people and be with his family.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Taj says:
I definately thought Gansey was a good ball player.. A Mike Miller type player.. But.. Chris Quinn??? Really??
November 5th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
uh huh says:
Chris Quinn was nice in college Notre Dame. Used to get buckets. Better than Dominic James. LOL. What a bust. College Analysts kill me. His problem is he’s a 3rd string guard in this league. He’s better than Duhon.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
uh huh says:
Daryll “Showtime” Hill originally committed to play here. If he did these guys might have went all the way. Hill,Gansey,Fischer,Pittsnogle WoW. Hell of talent. West Virginia doesn’t produce pro’s though. We see Joe Alexander struggling now. Where’s the development. Good Luck Mr. EBanks. Skillful as hell but we’ll see. Ceiling is Boris Diaw Pre Phoenix Suns/Basement cross between Odom & Kirilenko. Long & lanky like Durant plays all 5 positions.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
sunni says:
these guys shouldve been drafted..i can see them being good role players on decent teams
November 5th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
spike says:
Mike gansey was the truth…everygame that white t-shirt of his would be drenched in sweat…pity he didnt get drafted
November 5th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Mack Brownee says:
where is joe alexander now?
November 5th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
blackhercules21 says:
I played against Gansey last year in Germany and he can still play if he wanted to, problem is, this life overseas ain’t nothing like the NBA
November 5th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
BiG ShoT BoB says:
Yeah I really thought Pittsnogle would be a star in the league since he had that Dirk Nowitzki game. At 6′11 he could shoot the three and had a nice mid range game. Still can’t believe he didn’t make it. Wonder what happened to coach Beilins son that played for that team?
November 16th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
emr says:
gansey got drafted by idaho in the d-league draft, no miami sports reporting for him.
November 21st, 2009 at 4:49 pm
dave says:
#
November 5th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Mack Brownee says:
where is joe alexander now? he plays for the bucks i think