5 Intriguing 2026 Western PA Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These five 2026 prospects have a lot of upside. They can all play at the next level. Here's why:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tykie Butler","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Meadville","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"SPS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665e2135efbe9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tykie Butler showcases an exciting blend of quickness, scoring ability and outstanding court vision. Butler boasts a lightning-quick first step and burst off the dribble. He truly has elite an gear. Butler couples that explosiveness with crafty ball-handling. Once in the paint, he shows tremendous body control and finishing touch around the rim. His assertiveness attacking the cup forces defenses to collapse and create open looks for teammates. Speaking of finding the open man, Butler shows tremendous vision and understanding of running an offense. He has a pure point guard mentality and Butler's unselfishness is infectious as he involves everyone and promotes great ball movement. On top of his scoring and playmaking, Butler is a menace defensively with his quickness and active hands. He applies tremendous ball pressure. After a breakout sophomore season that saw him crack Meadville's top 10 single-season assists list, Butler has carried that momentum over to the AAU circuit. He has worked tirelessly on rounding out his offensive game, showing an improved perimeter stroke to pair with his slashing and distribution.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[2466501],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665e22f044bf9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1549999' first='Nando' last='Mirarchi'] has blossomed into a complete offensive threat.What immediately stands out is Mirarchi's. He has perfect mechanics and consistent rotation on his jumper. Mirarchi's ability to catch-and-shoot or create space off the bounce makes him incredibly difficult to contain from the perimeter. Defenders must fight over every screen and close out under control. However, Mirarchi is far more than just a scorer. He has developed into an excellent facilitator. Mirarchi processes the game at a very high level, making the smart read routinely to get teammates involved. His court vision is tremendous. Showing his offensive versatility, Mirarchi has also developed a reliable midrange pull-up game. He has a beautiful touch on short floaters and leaners. Mirarchi's tight handle allows him to create space and get into the paint. Mirarchi plays with a team-first, unselfish approach. After earning All-Region and District 10 All-Star honors, it's clear Mirarchi is one of the rising names to watch in Western PA's talented 2026 crop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Donovan Carney","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Butler","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Wildcat Select","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665e29709c8f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Donovan Carney has elite explosiveness and leaping ability and plays above the rim. Offensively, he has developed into a multi-dimensional scoring threat. He has good handles and a great first step. When they go underneath screens, he shows no hesitation pulling up for mid-range jumpers. He also showcases outstanding vision. His work ethic and drive to get better are evident by his play with Wildcat Select this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1406968"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665e2fa631f52"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'4", [player_tooltip player_id='1406968' first='Ryan' last='Priester'] has excellent size for the small forward position and showcases an impressive scoring ability. He frequently poured in 20+ point performances at events like the Pitt Jam Fest, thanks in large part to his shooting and range from beyond the arc. Priester excels as a spot-up threat, getting his shot off quickly and knocking down attempts even when closely contested. One of the most intriguing aspects of his game is his understanding of how to move without the ball. While already a skilled perimeter scorer, continuing to improve at attacking the rim and finishing through contact will make Priester an even more complete offensive threat going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1406953"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665f15be92e2a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'3", [player_tooltip player_id='1406953' first='Eric' last='James Jr.'] has the ideal size for the shooting guard position combined with elite quickness and speed. On the defensive end, James Jr. showcases a knack for reading passing lanes and anticipating plays, allowing him to frequently come up with steals and deflections. Offensively, James Jr. has a smooth shooting stroke and good range. Perhaps James Jr.'s most enticing trait is his first-step quickness and blazing straight-line speed. Once he builds a full head of steam driving the lane, he is almost impossible to stop due to his athleticism and fearlessness attacking through contact. Playing for Epic Elite, James Jr. is showcasing his immense talent as one of the leading scorers while routinely providing highlight reel plays above the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->