Pittsburgh coach Tory Verdi faces lawsuit from six former players

Former Players Allege Abuse Against Pittsburgh Coach

Six ex-Pittsburgh women’s basketball players are taking legal action against head coach Torrey Verdi and the university, claiming they were subjected to abuse and that their cries for help went unaddressed.

A lawsuit filed on Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania details allegations that Verdi fostered a harmful team environment, attempting to push players into the transfer portal, endangering their scholarships, and threatening their academic and athletic prospects.

The suit claims that Verdi once segregated players by race during practice, forcing them to compete against one another.

Among the allegations is a disturbing statement attributed to Verdi: “Every night I lie in bed, I want to kill myself because of you.” The lawsuit further claims he told one player, “I don’t like him as a player, but I’ll let my son go on a date.”

Attorney Keenan D. Holmes spoke about the players: “These athletes are not soft. We’re not dealing with overly sensitive individuals. Yes, they’re expected to perform, but this went far beyond basketball—it defies common sense,” he stated when addressing the Associated Press.

In response, the university has firmly denied the allegations, describing them as “groundless.” Their statement indicated, “The university is aware of these lawsuits and their accusations, but they lack merit and will be vigorously defended.”

The plaintiffs include Faber Ayodele, a graduate student who currently plays at Grand Canyon; Isabella Perkins at Boston University; Raven Boswell, who has left the team but remains at Pitt; Jasmine Timerson, who plays at Davidson; and Makayla Elmore and Brooklyn Miles, both of whom transferred to Pitt for their final years.

Since his appointment as head coach in 2023, Verdi has faced challenges on the court, holding a 29-60 record as the team struggles this season with an 8-17 performance, having secured just one victory in ACC play.

Some student-athletes are reportedly seeking a redshirt year, citing mental health difficulties, while others are currently receiving counseling and therapy.