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One-on-one: How Pitt's Sibande persevered through ACL rehab to become ACC Sixth Man of the Year

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- November 1, 2021, is a date which Nike Sibande will never forget.

All of the potential to still unlock after playing in 14 games after transferring from Miami of Ohio and a full season to look forward to vanished in one moment. He was going to be a pivotal member of that 2021-'22 Panthers team after starting eight of those games the season prior and with the team losing its top three scorers from the previous roster.

But, Sibande was unable to minimally get started. A torn ACL in his right knee sustained in Pitt's first exhibition against Gannon University on that first date of November in 2021 forced the Indianapolis native to miss what could have been a breakout season.