WPIAL Big Men To Watch
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The WPIAL has a host of big men coming through the next few years who are pushing the level back towards the traditional height of Pittsburgh hoops past. These players are mostly old school guys who have no problem picking…
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Continue ReadingThe WPIAL has a host of big men coming through the next few years who are pushing the level back towards the traditional height of Pittsburgh hoops past. These players are mostly old school guys who have no problem picking up the hard hat and doing the dirty work down by the blast furnaces–The exact trait that put Pittsburgh basketball on the map to begin with years ago.
Debaba Tshiebwe Debaba Tshiebwe 6'6" | PF Central Catholic | 2023 State PA | 6’6” | F | Pittsburgh Central Catholic 2023
A physically imposing presence, Tshiebwe did the dirty work for Central Catholic under the basket as a junior and will once again be the main man in the middle for Brian Urso this coming winter. He’s got good footwork in the post and is a dominating presence on the glass and an imposing shot blocker. He’ll continue to get tougher to defend as he keeps maturing physically and will be one of the top frontcourt players in Pittsburgh this winter.
Royce Parham Royce Parham 6'8" | PF Western Reserve Academy | 2024 State #53 Nation OH | 6’7” | F | North Hills 2024
The hype machine is at full speed for Parham and with good reason. He’s one of the top frontcourt players to come out of the WPIAL in some time. He’s developed the next level speed, aggression on the boards and has the killer instinct out there on the floor. He’s dangerous around the rim on both ends of the floor. He’s spending his spring and summer with Team Durant and that should push him on even further. He’s a high level D1 prospect.
Alier Maluk Alier Maluk 7'0" | PF Long Island Lutheran | 2025 State #62 Nation NY | 6’10” | F| Imani Christian 2025
Maluk is a very high level athlete for a young big man. He’s got a good handle for someone his size and for being so young. He can run the floor really well and he knows how to finish at the rim in a strong manner. He’s got a very high ceiling and the offers and interest just keep rolling in. Another high level D1 prospect.
Sam Kelly Sam Kelly 6'5" | PF Allderdice | 2023 State PA | 6’5’ | F | Allderdice 2023
Kelly may be one of the top athletes in the City right now. He’s a multi sport athlete who is a versatile player on the court. He’s got good ballhandling skills, range that extends beyond the three point line and is also a good rebounder at both ends of the floor. Makes the most of second chances. He’s playing AAU with the PK Flash, one of the top programs in Pittsburgh. High Academic recruit and he’ll be THE guy for ‘Dice next year.
Brayden Foster Brayden Foster 6'8" | C Highlands | 2024 State PA |6’8” | F | Highlands 2024
Foster is a physically imposing big man who has athleticism to match. He’s got good hands down low in the post and is dominating on the boards at both ends of the floor. He was under the radar as a sophomore but that is no longer. Saw him play in the Cancer Showcase at North Alllegheny and you can just tell he’s got the next level potential. He’s one of the top big men in PA for his class. Foster is having a big AAU run for Coast-2-Coast NY.