Kansas Jayhawks fans likely best remember Bobby Pettiford for his put-back game-winner against Wisconsin during the Battle 4 Atlantis back in November of 2022. Pettiford made his only basket of the game with 0.2 seconds left in overtime resulting in a69-68 Kansas victory. Despite this memorable shot, Pettiford’s time with Kansas was short-lived.
After getting injured as a freshman, he played just 14 games in 2021-2022, but did get to see his fellow Jayhawks win a NCAA National Championship that same year. The following season, Pettiford had some ups and downs, playing 32 games, with that Wisconsin game being a highlight. He transferred to East Carolina University following the season.
After his lone season at ECU, Pettiford transferred again, this time joining the High Point Panthers in the Big South and has truly become a part of something special. Averaging 8.6 PPG and 3.4 APG, Bobby has been a key player for their historic season, where they finished the season 29-5. Not only this but he was perhaps their best player in the Big South Championship.
Pettiford’s 17 points led all scorers against Winthrop in the Big South Championship
Entering the Big South title game, Pettiford and High Point were aiming to secure their first-ever bid for March Madness. Not only that, but they were facing an experienced Winthrop team that has been in the NCAA Tournament not once, not twice, but 11 times in their school’s history. Things did not start out well for HPU, but Pettiford was able to provide a much needed spark.
Winthrop led High Point at halftime by 10 points and led by as many as 15 points in the second half, but then Pettiford came to life, sinking a momentum-shifting three-pointer followed by a layup that helped jumpstart a 14-0 run. High Point ended up securing the 81-69 victory and the former Jayhawk led all scorers in the game with 17 points off the bench.
When talking with Andy Katz following their huge win, Pettiford and Katz discussed how his experiences with a huge program like Kansas have assisted the PG with leading High Point to their first-ever bid. Pettiford highlighted how they are a “deep team that can shock some people” when asked about why they should be considered a team who can upset someone.
Currently High Point is projected to be a 12-13 seed in March Madness, so while unlikely, it is also possible that Kansas could see Pettiford in the Round of 64 if they grab a fifth seed through good Big 12 tournament play. HPU will now sit back, relax, and wait and see which seed and match up they are given on Selection Sunday.