5 Players East of Pittsburgh Who Should Be on Every Coach’s Radar

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These interesting prospects hoop east of Pittsburgh. Here's why coaches should take notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1466637"],"_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-66607d1141279"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Braydn Rogers has a knack for finding ways to score and finish around the basket despite not having elite athleticism. Rogers utilizes his strength and body control to absorb contact and get quality looks at the rim. His touch and ability to adjust allow him to creatively maneuver for buckets in the paint. Complimenting his slashing ability is a quality jumper when he gets his feet set. Rogers impacts the game on both ends of the floor. He is a strong rebounder who crashes the glass. Though he doesn't have elite quickness, Rogers makes up for it with savvy and grittiness on both ends.</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":"Max Butler","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Latrobe","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_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-66607d1141328"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior shooting guard Max Butler embraces a physical playing style. His ability to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot makes him a constant scoring threat. What separates Butler is his physicality and willingness to embrace contact. He excels at utilizing his strength to finish through defenders and draw fouls around the basket. Butler also has no issue posting up smaller players when he has a mismatch. His physicality translates to the defensive end as well, where he takes charges and plays with a competitive edge and energy. With a complete offensive arsenal, physical tools, and blue-collar mentality, Max Butler is set up for an exciting senior season for Latrobe.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1406938"],"_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-66607d1141372"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1406938' first='Lamont' last='Perkins'] is a prospect with a ton of upside. On the defensive end, he is a lockdown force. Offensively, he showcases one of the most versatile skill sets I've seen. He has excellent range but can also put the ball on the floor and get to the basket thanks to his strength and ballhandling. Perkins finishes well through contact at the rim and also possesses a crafty mid-range game. He also has excellent court vision. Perkins sees over defenses and makes crisp reads and deliveries. [player_tooltip player_id='1406938' first='Lamont' last='Perkins']' upside is through the roof.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1406045"],"_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-66607d11413b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1406045' first='Zion' last='Moore'] is without a doubt a premier point guard prospect in Western PA's 2025 class. The 6'3" floor general had a breakout junior season at Belle Vernon, earning All-WPIAL honors after averaging 27 points per game. Moore's scoring prowess is undeniable, but he also showcases exceptional court vision and willingly sets up teammates. He really is a team player. Moore's offensive repertoire is as complete as it gets. But it's his ability to pull up off the dribble from just about anywhere that makes him incredibly difficult to contain. On the AAU circuit, Moore is continuing to turn heads and generate buzz among college coaches with his impressive showings in the NXTPRO Hoops Circuit.</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":"Christopher Mcknight","_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":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Norwin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_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-66607d114142e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Christopher Mcknight has excellent size for a young backcourt player, combined with raw athleticism and speed that immediately stands out. While his game is a bit unpolished, Mcknight's physical tools and upside are as good as any prospect in Western PA. One of the most encouraging aspects of his game at this stage is his unselfish mentality and willingness to make the right play. He has flashed some crafty moves, including a tight crossover dribble used to create separation. Mcknight can also knock down three-pointers when his feet are set. More than anything, it's Mcknight's combination of size, athleticism, unselfishness, and budding skill set that makes him so intriguing in the 2026 class. He has the physical tools to develop into an impact guard if his skills continue coming along. With a willingness to put in work, Christopher Mcknight possesses the type of upside that demands attention from evaluators.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->