Western Pennsylvania Class 5A Prospects

Continuing my series of breaking down prospects by class, here are five names in Class 5A who should be on your radar.    [player_tooltip player_id='1204042' first='Kellen' last='Ball'] plays a physical brand of basketball. The 2025 prospect has a sturdy frame that allows him to overpower opponents. Ball thrives with his back to the basket, utilizing his strength to establish prime position on the blocks. He finishes through contact well and has a knack for powering home buckets in the paint. On the glass, Ball's size and hustle make him an excellent rebounder. Ball has shown the ability to step out and knock down open jumpers when his feet are set, forcing defenses to respect his shooting range. Adding a few more polished post moves could make him even more unstoppable on the interior. Ball's non-stop work ethic, including putting in time this summer, suggests he's capable of becoming a go-to player for Meadville next season.     Senior guard Spencer Kanne boasts an incredibly deep range that extends to the NBA three-point line. Kanne's ability to knock down shots from virtually anywhere on the floor makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses. He excels in burying catch-and-shoot opportunities. While he was primarily a sharpshooter last season for Cathedral Prep, Kanne is showcasing a more aggressive mentality on the AAU circuit with Caveman. In addition to his elite marksmanship, Kanne possesses excellent floor vision. He handles pressure calmly, makes crisp passes, and dictates the tempo.     Zach Pollaro is an elite perimeter marksman and can connect from anywhere on the floor when he finds his rhythm. However, dismissing Pollaro as simply a one-dimensional gunner is a mistake. He has a well-rounded offensive skill set built on high basketball IQ. Pollaro is ambidextrous and finishes well through contact. His ability to knock down shots off the dribble makes him a complete three-level scoring threat. Pollaro's offense is complemented by excellent court vision and pace. He controls tempo, picking his spots to attack or make the extra pass to teammates. His smart play allows him to capitalize on defenses sleeping by cutting backdoor for easy looks.     [player_tooltip player_id='1454309' first='Julian' last='Semplice'] is an explosive combo guard with a polished game. He plays with excellent body control and touch when he gets to the paint. Semplice has good shooting mechanics and range. He reads the floor at a high level and makes the extra pass. He is a totally unselfish player, yet can score at will when needed. He has good open-floor speed in transition. His tenacious style and athletic tools have helped him stand out this summer on the AAU circuit with Wildcat Select.     Senior forward Jacob Dunkle established himself as one of the premier big men in Class 5A last season and looks poised for an even bigger 2024-2025 campaign. At 6'7", Dunkle is an imposing figure on the interior. That said, he couples his size with fantastic mobility. He runs the floor extremely well in transition and has great agility and leaping ability. Dunkle's combination of length and athleticism make him an elite rim protector on the defensive end where he averaged nearly two blocks per game last season for Trinity. On offense, Dunkle showcases impressive footwork in the post armed with an array of polished moves. What truly separates Dunkle is his ability to also step out and knock down three-pointers, making him a legitimate "inside-outside" threat. After a breakout Junior season where he averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds en route to First Team All-Section honors at Trinity, Dunkle is taking his game to new heights during the spring AAU sessions.

Continuing my series of breaking down prospects by class, here are five names in Class 5A who should be on your radar.