by Alex Schwartz

When I attended the Steve Nash Skills Academy, I had the opportunity to speak with some of the best basketball players in world at the high school, college, and NBA levels. One of those players was Levance Fields, now a senior for the Pitt Panthers, one of the best teams in the NCAA. Fields was one of many stars at the event, along with ballers such as Stephen Curry of Davidson, Jack McClinton of Miami, and Greg Paulus of Duke. Fields was coming off of a spectacular season both personally and team-wise. Although Pitt did not do as well as it would have liked in the NCAA Tournament, the Panthers had a great year that included winning the Big East Tournament. The former New York City star was kind enough to chat with me about the season that has passed, the season taking place now, his game, and his future as a basketball player.

NB: Hitting that game-winning shot against Duke at Madison Square Garden, what was that like for you?
LF: Oh, it was exciting, the magnitude of the game, being in Madison Square Garden, playing Duke [while we were] both undefeated, so it was a . . . big shot for me, and obviously we won the game, so that was the most important thing.

NB: Did you realize you were taking a three at that point, or was it just where you were on the court? You guys were down by two at that time.
LF: I knew I was going for the three. To be honest, I didn’t have any legs for any overtime. We were pretty fatigued, we lost Mike Cook, so we had an offensive guy out [of] the game. So, I was trying to get open. I felt that if I missed the shot I’d put the loss on myself, and if I missed the shot it would be a great win for us. So, I made up my mind in the huddle and I went for it.

NB: How’d you guys rebound from losing Mike Cook to have a successful year?
LF: It was hard without question. He was a big leader for us, and a scorer, and a threat on the court for us at all times on offense and defense. So we just had to gel together, . . . everybody had to stick together and pick up for his slack. That was the only way we could make it happen and that’s what we did.

NB: What went into that run to win the Big East championship?
LF:  Just heart and desire, [and] losing two years in a row as well. [Also] experience, just knowing—we were there before, like I said, losing two years in a row, once being close, once being a blowout, so we just we had to focus in [for] the whole 40 minutes of the game, and we had enough to get it down and that’s what we did.

NB: How do you think your size [in regards to your overall frame and muscle] gives you an advantage over some of the smaller point guards?
LF: My physical attributes—just can take the ball, can still finish, create space, rebound, get down there [where] I might have to switch on the post and still be able to guard him. So, it just helps me create space a lot I think.

NB: What do you consider to be the strongest point of your game?
LF: Passing. I think I’m a great pass-first point guard. I obviously still could work on it, but I think I do a great job to get my teammates shots before getting myself going.

NB: What’s the weakest point of your game?
LF: I would have to say defense, defense. I think I have to do a better job of keeping guys in front [of me]. I think I’m a good help defender, but one-on-one I got to be better, moving laterally.

NB: What do you think your odds are of eventually making the NBA?
LF: I think they’re pretty good. I think I [have] improved every year of my career in college. I’ve been a winner since I’ve been in college. I showed a lot of things I can do, and obviously things I can work on, but I think I got a good chance. [I am] finishing the summer strong. I was doing good at this camp hopefully. I was told I’d be invited to [the] LeBron [James Skills Academy]. I [will] do [well] there, and then have another good season, and hopefully go far in the [NCAA] Tournament. I should be fine.

I just got off the phone with the talented floor leader to get an update on how things are going for him and his Pitt squad. First things first, Fields said that the team has accomplished "nothing so far, [has] won four games, [and is] still learning to play together." He did add, "once we figure that out, it should be a big year for us." How is Levance recovering from his injury? "I'm doing well. Obviously it's difficult, but I'm doing fine." The Panthers, currently ranked number four in the nation in the AP Poll, had to deal with one coaching change from last season, as former assistant coach Orlando Antigua left for Memphis and was replaced by Brandin Knight, a former superstar at Pitt. Regarding the change, Fields said, "It's been big. Coach Knight is younger, and he can relate to us a bit more. . . . It helps having him on the sideline." Last year, Knight was the Director of Basketball Operations under Jamie Dixon. Speaking of Dixon, what do Fields and his teammates think of the rumors of Dixon leaving Pitt? "Nobody's heard anything. . . . We haven't heard anything." The gifted senior, who mentioned that freshman "Nasir Robinson" of Chester (PA) was an under-the-radar player who could have a big impact this season for the Panthers, said that his goal for the season is "just obviously trying to get to Detroit and the Final Four, and that's about it. That's the most important [thing]." Fields would go on to say that although Pitt has "a lot of returning guys," he cannot really compare Pitt to the nation's other top teams such as Lousiville, Notre Dame, UConn Duke, and North Carolina, "unless [Pitt] plays them." Notice that three of those teams are from the Big East, which is considered by some to be the best conference in NCAA history this year. What does Fields think about that assessment? "It's really deep from top to bottom. [There are] a lot of returning players. . . . [Our] whole team's got to get it done, keep working hard, and hopefully live up to the hype." It's evident that this "PTP'er" as Dick Vitale would say is a baller who knows what he wants to accomplish. With his talent and with the talent around him, he just might do it.

Note- photo is from http://www.examiner.com/Newark.