University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Former Panther Troutman Making his Mark Overseas
7/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Story written by: Michael Nicastro
PITTSBURGH – Chevy Troutman’s odyssey has been anything but conventional.
Growing up he never knew what it was like to experience anything outside of his hometown of Williamsport, Pa.
The former Panthers standout found it difficult to make basketball his top priority because of challenges he faced in the household.
At an early age, Troutman played a paternal role to his younger siblings due to his parents demanding work schedules, a task that not many teenagers are equipped to handle.
The early accountability helped form Troutman’s attitude and outlook on life, which he says is to “stay humble and carve your own path.”
“It gave me a sense of responsibility, as much as a kid can understand. Family has always been really important to me, which is why when I was younger I didn’t know if I ever wanted to go far from home,” said Troutman, now 34.
Fittingly, he received a meaningful award following his sophomore year at the end-of-season team banquet.
The award was given to the Panthers player who displayed the most outstanding attitude and work ethic.
“Your attitude and drive is instilled from when you are building your foundation from the ground. My coaches molded me from the ground up and gave me an extra layer of bricks each year to build upon.”
He won the award again his junior year.
That ambition has carried Troutman to success far away from his hometown.
Today, he is an established force in the international game.
His now 11-year professional career has included stops in the Dominican Republic, Italy, Germany, Poland and most recently France, where he currently plays for Orléans Loiret Basket in the French Pro A League.
Troutman has compiled a long list of international accomplishments.
In 2015, his team won the Polish League Cup and the Polish Championship. During his first tour in the Pro A League in France (2008-09) he was named an All-Star and won a French Cup championship. He averaged more than 14 points per game and shot nearly 65 percent from the floor in those two seasons.
In 2014, Troutman contributed to German powerhouse FC Bayern Munich, a team comprised of former college stars Malcolm Delaney (Virginia Tech), Bryce Taylor (Oregon), and Deon Thompson (North Carolina).
He played in a total of 36 games for the club, made 60 percent of his attempts from the field, and had a significant hand in helping his team win the German Bundesliga championship, one of the most coveted trophies in European basketball.
Chevy, always a fan favorite at the Fitzgerald Field House and then the Petersen Events Center, came to Pitt in 2001 after a decorated career at Williamsport Area High School.
At that time it was taboo for anyone from his area to leave Eastern Pennsylvania, but Troutman followed his heart, and the guidance of his longtime high school and AAU coaches Mike Bailey and Matt Johnson.
“I didn’t want to do the norm – that’s why I chose Pittsburgh, when most of my friends were going to places like Penn State, Temple, and La Salle.”
Pitt was certainly thrilled with his choice.
Throughout his Panther career Troutman was a force to be reckoned with in the paint. A Big East first team selection in 2005, Chevy concluded his career with the highest field goal percentage in school history (.625), and ranks among Pitt’s top 20 scorers all-time.
From 2001-2005, Chevy’s Pitt squads won two Big East Tournament Championships (2001-02, 2003-04), a Big East regular season championship (2003-04), and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen three times. His class went a combined 108-25 in four years, accumulating the highest winning percentage in Pitt basketball history (.812).
His team changed the culture of Pitt basketball.
“I know when I look back now, what we started set the benchmark for where the program has gone. After 2005, we were getting more talent, and it was easier for them to carry the tradition that we started.”
After becoming the first in his family to earn a degree in 2005, Troutman was at an impasse in his life.
He knew he wanted to play basketball professionally, but wasn’t sure who would be calling. He was widely considered “undersized” by NBA draft experts.
He had a brief look with NFL teams that considered Troutman as a tight end, in the mold of an Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez - former collegiate basketball stars who thrived in the league.
The Bills and Patriots offered him an opportunity to come to camp, but Troutman struggled to find his way.
“I was open to the opportunity, but after a few days into the camp it was difficult for me to catch the flow of NFL football. It was tough just being another body.”
After a successful stint playing basketball overseas in the Dominican Republic in 2005, Troutman drew interest from several NBA teams. He hired an agent and had workouts with the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, and Chicago Bulls among others.
Similar to his NFL experience, Troutman felt that he wanted to play with an organization that would allow him to stand out.
The NBA was not the right fit.
“My goal wasn’t just to get stamped by the NBA, or just get there and just be there. I wanted to be an important contributor and show my skills that I developed over my life.”
He was intrigued by the international game, and felt that he could showcase his entire skillset with an increased role.
“The coaches let you play from your strengths. I was able to explore my face up game, switch on guards with pick and rolls, and have more overall freedom than I would have had in the NBA. That’s why I felt it was the place for me to shine.”
Troutman credits his developed versatility as a crucial part of his success.
“Coach Pešić in Munich, Germany helped me see things I wouldn’t have seen before. He sat me down and made me understand the game from the outside looking in.”
Chevy praises his upbringing and his time at Pitt for developing him as a person and professional in the world of international basketball.
“It took a lot of hard work, sweat and tears. There were times where I even wanted to quit. But all of that contributed to my attitude. My interest was to contribute, and if it was possible to see the world on some type of level, that’s what I wanted to do.”
Troutman spent the past week back at the Petersen Events Center watching his son Chevy Troutman Jr. (12) participate in Kevin Stallings Pitt Panthers Basketball Camp.
He has given some thought as to how he would like his next chapter to unfold.
“I would love to be a part of the Pitt program. I love it here, everyone is awesome to me. I’m very visible as far as speaking to the young guys and letting them know what’s in store after Pitt.”
Chevy plans on playing at least two more years of competitive basketball overseas.
Following that it’s anybody’s guess.
After all, he’s never been conventional.
