Former Pitt Women’s Basketball Players File Lawsuit Claiming Coaching Abuse

Six former players from the University of Pittsburgh’s women’s basketball team have filed a lawsuit against coach Tory Verdi and the university, alleging abusive coaching practices and a lack of support when they sought help. The players claim that their experiences went far beyond the typical challenges of collegiate athletics.

“These players aren’t soft. We aren’t talking about sensitive personality types,” said attorney Keenan D. Holmes in a statement to The Associated Press. “Obviously, there are expectations placed on players. But this went beyond basketball. It went beyond the bounds of common decency.”

The lawsuit, filed on Friday, accuses Verdi of attempting to push players into the transfer portal, jeopardizing their scholarships and threatening their academic and athletic futures. This alleged coercion has raised serious concerns about the treatment of student-athletes under his leadership.

In response to the allegations, the university issued a brief statement on Tuesday, asserting that the claims are without merit and will be vigorously defended. “The university is aware of these lawsuits and their allegations,” the statement read, reflecting the institution’s commitment to addressing the situation.

Verdi’s tenure at Pitt has been marked by struggles over three seasons, especially when compared to his previous success at the University of Massachusetts, where he achieved a winning record for seven seasons. The lawsuit includes disturbing quotes attributed to Verdi, such as, “Every night I lay in bed I want to kill myself because of you,” directed at his players. Another comment reportedly made to an athlete was, “I don’t like you as a player, but I’d let my son date you.”

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Verdi divided players by race during practice, forcing them to compete against each other. The emotional toll of these experiences has led some players to seek counseling or therapy, while others have requested a red-shirt year of NCAA eligibility due to mental health issues, according to Holmes.

The former players involved in the lawsuit include Favor Ayodele, currently at Grand Canyon University; Raeven Boswell, who left the team but remained at Pitt to complete her degree; Isabella Perkins, now attending Boston College; Jasmine Timmerson, who plays for Davidson College; and MaKayla Elmore and Brooklynn Miles, who transferred to Pitt for their senior years.

Despite their efforts to reach out to Verdi’s supervisors in the athletic department for assistance, the players claim their concerns were ignored, prompting them to take legal action. The women are seeking acknowledgment that the university violated their civil rights under Title IX, which prohibits gender-based discrimination in education. They are also requesting the restoration of their school records and reputations, along with compensatory and punitive damages.

Photo: FILE – Pitt Head Coach Tory Verdi speaks during an ACC women’s NCAA college basketball media day, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Six former players from the University of Pittsburgh’s women’s basketball team have filed a lawsuit against coach Tory Verdi and the university, alleging abusive coaching practices and a lack of support when they sought help. The players claim that their experiences went far beyond the typical challenges of collegiate athletics.

“These players aren’t soft. We aren’t talking about sensitive personality types,” said attorney Keenan D. Holmes in a statement to The Associated Press. “Obviously, there are expectations placed on players. But this went beyond basketball. It went beyond the bounds of common decency.”

The lawsuit, filed on Friday, accuses Verdi of attempting to push players into the transfer portal, jeopardizing their scholarships and threatening their academic and athletic futures. This alleged coercion has raised serious concerns about the treatment of student-athletes under his leadership.

In response to the allegations, the university issued a brief statement on Tuesday, asserting that the claims are without merit and will be vigorously defended. “The university is aware of these lawsuits and their allegations,” the statement read, reflecting the institution’s commitment to addressing the situation.

Verdi’s tenure at Pitt has been marked by struggles over three seasons, especially when compared to his previous success at the University of Massachusetts, where he achieved a winning record for seven seasons. The lawsuit includes disturbing quotes attributed to Verdi, such as, “Every night I lay in bed I want to kill myself because of you,” directed at his players. Another comment reportedly made to an athlete was, “I don’t like you as a player, but I’d let my son date you.”

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Verdi divided players by race during practice, forcing them to compete against each other. The emotional toll of these experiences has led some players to seek counseling or therapy, while others have requested a red-shirt year of NCAA eligibility due to mental health issues, according to Holmes.

The former players involved in the lawsuit include Favor Ayodele, currently at Grand Canyon University; Raeven Boswell, who left the team but remained at Pitt to complete her degree; Isabella Perkins, now attending Boston College; Jasmine Timmerson, who plays for Davidson College; and MaKayla Elmore and Brooklynn Miles, who transferred to Pitt for their senior years.

Despite their efforts to reach out to Verdi’s supervisors in the athletic department for assistance, the players claim their concerns were ignored, prompting them to take legal action. The women are seeking acknowledgment that the university violated their civil rights under Title IX, which prohibits gender-based discrimination in education. They are also requesting the restoration of their school records and reputations, along with compensatory and punitive damages.

Photo: FILE – Pitt Head Coach Tory Verdi speaks during an ACC women’s NCAA college basketball media day, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Topics
Lawsuits