Dons Add Local Forward Jaroslavs Pihtovs
6/11/2026 3:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Head coach Chris Gerlufsen and the University of San Francisco (USF) men's basketball program announced today the signing of forward Jaroslavs "JP" Pihtovs (San Francisco, Calif.).
Pihtovs, a 6'9" forward with Latvian lineage, joins high school teammate Andrew Hilman on the Hilltop after two years on the varsity team at Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco.
"Our staff is excited to welcome Jaroslavs Pihtovs to the University of San Francisco basketball family," said Gerlufsen.
"JP has developed into an outstanding young player at Riordan under coach Joey Curtin. He had numerous high major opportunities, so we are proud we were able to keep another local player home at USF. When we watched JP with his Latvian national team, we saw his athleticism, high basketball IQ, and tremendous potential. Our staff can't wait to get started with him in a few short weeks, and look forward to the start of his college career!"
After only picking up a basketball four years ago after watching old highlight tapes of his father, Pihtovs developed into a force for the Crusaders while also making a splash playing for Latvia in the 2025 FIBA U18 EuroBasket.
During his final season at Riordan, Pihtovs and Hilman powered the Crusaders to a 28-2 overall record, including capturing their third-consecutive outright West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) championship while also securing the CIF Central Coast Section (CCS) Open Division championship. In February, Riordan broke the all-time school record for most consecutive WCAL victories, reaching 43 straight dating back to previous seasons.
Notably, Pihtovs turned heads when he finished with 23 points, 24 rebounds, and three blocks in an 89-84 victory over Inglewood High School in the Elite 8 Tournament in Santa Maria, Calif., on Dec. 12, 2025. Pihtovs was also dominant in both matchups against St. Ignatius in his senior season, first posting a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double on Feb. 17 as the Crusaders outlasted the Wildcats, 100-95, in double-overtime in the regular season finale. In the CCS Open Division Championship just ten days later, Pihtovs finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, and five blocks as Riordan raced past St. Ignatius, 73-51, to secure the title.
Alongside Hilman, Pihtovs earned WCAL Boys Basketball First Team honors for his efforts.
On the international stage, he averaged 10.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game in seven games for Latvia in the 2025 FIBA U18 Eurobasket. Pihtovs impressed with 18 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks in an 80-79 quarterfinal win over Germany on July 31, 2025.
For updates and more information on the University of San Francisco men's basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsMBB on X, @USFDonsMBB on Instagram, and @USFDonsMBB on Facebook.
Pihtovs, a 6'9" forward with Latvian lineage, joins high school teammate Andrew Hilman on the Hilltop after two years on the varsity team at Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco.
"Our staff is excited to welcome Jaroslavs Pihtovs to the University of San Francisco basketball family," said Gerlufsen.
"JP has developed into an outstanding young player at Riordan under coach Joey Curtin. He had numerous high major opportunities, so we are proud we were able to keep another local player home at USF. When we watched JP with his Latvian national team, we saw his athleticism, high basketball IQ, and tremendous potential. Our staff can't wait to get started with him in a few short weeks, and look forward to the start of his college career!"
After only picking up a basketball four years ago after watching old highlight tapes of his father, Pihtovs developed into a force for the Crusaders while also making a splash playing for Latvia in the 2025 FIBA U18 EuroBasket.
During his final season at Riordan, Pihtovs and Hilman powered the Crusaders to a 28-2 overall record, including capturing their third-consecutive outright West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) championship while also securing the CIF Central Coast Section (CCS) Open Division championship. In February, Riordan broke the all-time school record for most consecutive WCAL victories, reaching 43 straight dating back to previous seasons.
Notably, Pihtovs turned heads when he finished with 23 points, 24 rebounds, and three blocks in an 89-84 victory over Inglewood High School in the Elite 8 Tournament in Santa Maria, Calif., on Dec. 12, 2025. Pihtovs was also dominant in both matchups against St. Ignatius in his senior season, first posting a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double on Feb. 17 as the Crusaders outlasted the Wildcats, 100-95, in double-overtime in the regular season finale. In the CCS Open Division Championship just ten days later, Pihtovs finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, and five blocks as Riordan raced past St. Ignatius, 73-51, to secure the title.
Alongside Hilman, Pihtovs earned WCAL Boys Basketball First Team honors for his efforts.
On the international stage, he averaged 10.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game in seven games for Latvia in the 2025 FIBA U18 Eurobasket. Pihtovs impressed with 18 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks in an 80-79 quarterfinal win over Germany on July 31, 2025.
For updates and more information on the University of San Francisco men's basketball program, follow the Dons @USFDonsMBB on X, @USFDonsMBB on Instagram, and @USFDonsMBB on Facebook.
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