PW’s Bond withdraws commitment to Pitt

Jaylen Bond, a standout senior forward from Plymouth Whitemarsh, announced Tuesday his decision to de-commit from the University of Pittsburgh and instead attend a prep school in the fall.

"While I look forward to playing basketball at the D-I level, I feel that, as someone who is 17 years of age, an additional year of development will allow me to enter my freshman year of college better prepared to contribute at a high level from the start," Bond said in a statement released by PW coach Jim Donofrio.

"I have great respect and appreciation for the University of Pittsburgh, the coaching staff, and the players, and thank them for their belief in me," Bond said. "This decision was made after a lot of thought by both myself and my family, and I am confident it is the correct one."

In the recently completed season, the 6-foot-7, 220-pound Bond averaged 19 points in leading the Colonials to a 25-6 record, the PIAA Class AAAA state semifinals, a third-place finish in the District 1 tournament, and a Suburban One League American Conference title.

Bond sat out the team's state-semifinal loss to eventual champion Chester after injuring his hip, back and groin while falling to the floor after a hard foul in the quarterfinals against District 3's Red Land.

Last April, after helping the Colonials capture the state title, Bond chose Pitt over West Virginia and Temple.

Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019 or robrien@phillynews.com.