When most people think of the Canary Islands, the thing that probably pops into their head about the Spanish archipelago off the west coast of Morocco is vacation. The year-round sunshine and subtropical climate make it a favorite holiday spot for many. When Jorge and Guillermo Diaz Graham think of the Canary Islands, they think of home.
Jorge and Guillermo have had a long journey from the seven sunny islands to Pittsburgh, where they both play on the basketball team for the Panthers. Both are larger-than life figures, Jorge might get the “little” brother treatment for being 6’11” compared to Guillermo’s 7’0”. But that size and skill wouldn’t keep them on the islands for very long.
“The Canary Islands, it’s not a big place,” Jorge said. “So the basketball level is not the best, one, but we were pretty lucky that all our basketball coaches were pretty good. Since we were young we’ve been working on the right stuff.”
After COVID stifled the international college recruiting scene, Guillermo and Jorge made the decision to attend IMG Academy in Florida after they graduated high school. Guillermo, who was playing with the Spanish U18 national team in the summer of 2021 didn’t think he was ready to make the jump to the college level so quickly.
“I got the summer with the national team, and I would have to be in college in two weeks,” Guillermo said. “I wasn’t feeling ready to be in college yet, and we had the IMG opportunity, and of course IMG, it’s great to be there.”
With the Ascenders, the twins put up incredible numbers. Guillermo averaged over 12 points a game, while Jorge shot 44% from downtown.
Both the brothers could have pursued solo collegiate careers after their time in the sunshine state. Jorge received offers from Iona and Maryland, while Guillermo could have gone to Georgia Tech or George Washington. The Diaz Grahams also earned joint offers from Eastern Michigan, Bradley and Pitt, and they decided it would be best to stick together through the college years.
“At first, we said we didn’t care if we went separate or together but lately we realized that together we were better not only on the court but off the court too,” Jorge said. “Becuase being far from home is hard but by having your brother, your twin brother, with you makes it ten-times easier.”
A big reason for the twins decision to play in the steel city was Panther associate head coach Tim O’Toole. The Syracuse assistant coach from 1992-95 was the one to offer the twins the chance to play ACC basketball in the Steel City, and did a great job of selling the city to the brothers thousands of miles from the Canaries.
“It’s very similar to our city back home,” Jorge started.
“Not too big, not too little,” Guillermo finished.
Before stepping on campus, Guillermo had another opportunity to don the red of Spain. Just this past summer, Guillermo joined the Spanish U20 team for the FIBA European Championships, where he and his squad took home the gold medal.
When the two stepped on Pitt’s campus this fall, they became the first Spanish recruits in the history of the men’s basketball program. Now full-fledged members of both the student body and basketball team at Pitt, the two brothers have found success on the court as off-bench contributors. Jorge sees slightly more court time than his brother, appearing in 11 of 12 games. Guillermo has stepped on the floor in ten games so far this season.
Jorge and Guillermo proved to be multifaceted talents. Both are great shooters, passers, and posses a high basketball IQ. The only way to differentiate the two might be the numbers on the uniforms – 31 for Jorge and 25 for Guillermo – or Guillermo’s earrings. Despite sharing a long journey, a home and a last name, Jorge says the basketball court is where the similarities end.
“When people say we are similar, we are not similar at all,” Jorge said. “He’s [Guillermo] more of a power forward, he likes to play inside a little more. And I'm more of a three.”