WPIAL Underclassmen Making Noise
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This season has been a great opportunity for young players in the Pittsburgh Metro to make their names known as players to watch for the next 2-3 seasons. Today we take a look at a handful of players who have…
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Continue ReadingThis season has been a great opportunity for young players in the Pittsburgh Metro to make their names known as players to watch for the next 2-3 seasons. Today we take a look at a handful of players who have excelled.
Meleek Thomas Meleek Thomas 6'4" | CG Lincoln Park | 2025 State #5 Nation PA |6’4″ | G| Lincoln Park 2025
Okay, so, this one is kind of a “gimme” for us…Thomas is one of the elite recruits nationally and ranked #2 in our PA rankings. He’s a do it all scorer at multiple levels. He is dominant with the ball in his hands, possesses a lightning quick first step to torch defenders and has a gear that nobody else in Pittsburgh has right now, except perhaps Royce Parham Royce Parham 6'8" | PF Western Reserve Academy | 2024 State #53 Nation OH . He’s a US National Team prospect for a reason.
Jayden Davis Jayden Davis 5'10" | CG Chartiers Valley | 2025 State PA | 5’10” | G | Chartiers Valley 2025
Davis has continued to build on his impressive freshman season by adding more to his game as a sophomore. He was a scorer in his first year but when we’ve seen him this year, ballhandling, defensive posture, quickness, strength…all have improved. As such, he’s caught the eye of D1 programs around the region. RMU was in the house to watch him play Seton LaSalle earlier this season and they won’t be the only program to stop off of I-79 over the next few years.
Alier Maluk Alier Maluk 7'0" | PF Long Island Lutheran | 2025 State #62 Nation NY | 6’10” | F | Imani Christian 2025
We got our first look at Maluk of the season early on at the North Catholic tip off and were very impressed. His ability to handle the ball has improved and it was already impressive for a big man. He’s added some moves in the post to his list and is an imposing figure on defense. As Maluk continues to put on some muscle as he matures, he could become a nationally elite prospect.
Julian Semplice Julian Semplice 5'11" | CG Chartiers Valley | 2026 State PA | 5’11” | G | Chartiers Valley 2026
While he’s been in and out of the starting 5 as a freshman, what we’ve seen of Semplice has been impressive. He stepped up in the CV win over Seton on both ends of the floor and is an ice-in-his-veins player for a young age. He can score the ball, hit it from deep but is at his best when he’s moving the ball from the perimeter in the offensive set. His greatest asset for the next level will be his leadership, which is apparent already.
Jared Astorino Jared Astorino 6'1" | CG Ambridge | 2026 State PA | 6’2″ | G | Ambridge 2026
As his older brother Damon Astorino Damon Astorino 6'2" | CG Eden Christian Academy | 2023 State PA has worked his way back from an injury over the last year, Jared has been prepping for a breakout freshman year at Ambridge. The Bridgers are playing competitive basketball and Astorino is a reason why. A coach’s son, his basketball IQ is beyond his years, as is his poise on the floor. He’s a solid shooter from beyond the arc and is starting to develop some confidence to take on older and more physically mature players going to the basket. With a father who was a coach and a brother who has had a stellar HS career, Jared has a head start on many of his classmates. He’ll be a name to watch over the next three years. He’s had big games so far: 24 vs North Catholic and 25 vs Lincoln Park Charter.