Roman Siulepa Commits to Pitt After U19 World Cup Breakout

Queensland basketball sensation Roman Siulepa has committed to Pitt University, ending months of speculation about whether the rising star would head to college or return to the NBL.

The decision, reported by ESPN, marks a major win for the Panthers, who secure one of the most physically gifted Australian prospects in recent memory.

Siulepa, 19, was recently named to the All-Second Team at the FIBA U19 World Cup, where he impressed scouts and analysts alike with a standout tournament. The 6’7” forward averaged 18.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and led the entire competition in free throw attempts, while playing 29 minutes per game. His combination of power, pace, and athleticism turned heads on the international stage and solidified his place among the top global prospects in his age group.

Basketball.com.au analyst Michael Houben has followed Siulepa’s journey closely, describing him as “possibly the most physically dominant player we’ve ever seen come through the junior ranks since Ben Simmons.” Drawing comparisons to players like Corey Maggette and Shabazz Muhammad, Houben noted Siulepa’s rare ability to impact the game on every possession, whether through his rebounding, transition play, or sheer physicality.

While his decision to join Pitt marks the next chapter in his development, Siulepa remains an enigmatic and exciting prospect.

His future ceiling may hinge on further refining his perimeter shooting and developing more versatility off the dribble.

But for now, the Australian junior MVP and FIBA standout is set to test himself against top-tier collegiate competition, bringing his unmatched presence and potential to one of the NCAA’s most competitive conferences.

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