5 Underclassman Impact Players in Pennsylvania

These five players are major stock risers across Pennsylvania. Keep an eye out for these names during the summer and into the next high school season.    Demario Smith is an underclassman impact player. His shooting is already exceptional with the versatility to score both off the catch and off the dribble. Once defenders have to honor that, the rest of his game opens up. The 6'2 combo guard from Cathedral Prep has already shown he can score in multiple ways. He has already spent two seasons inside Cathedral Prep's varsity pipeline and is projected into a much larger role next season.     [player_tooltip player_id='2492448' first='Ashton' last='Wilbur'] has a truly layered offensive game. The 6'0 combo guard from Cathedral Prep has developed into a true three-level scoring threat. He can attack off the bounce, finish at the rim, get to a pull-up in the midrange, and now stretch the floor with real confidence from deep. Defenders have to respect the jumper, which creates room for his first step to get into the lane. His balance and footwork are a major part of that because, while his game is high-paced, it is always under control.     [player_tooltip player_id='3038791' first='Jeremiah' last='Nixon'] was an integral piece of Sharon's run to the District 10 Class 4A title game last season. His game is extremely versatile. He can score it, but he also pressures defenses with his decision making and passing. Nixon is quick, athletic, and strong off the dribble. He is the type of player you want with the ball in their hands in a tight game because he brings that competitive edge and must-win attitude.     [player_tooltip player_id='3438177' first='Xavier' last='Barto'] has established himself as a legitimate perimeter threat to the point that opposing defenses need to change their strategy to make sure they know where he is at all times. While last season most of his points came from spot up shooting situations, as the season progressed, we saw Barto continue to develop into a more of an all-around player. He is starting to put the ball on the floor with more confidence. Barto's ability to attack closeouts and get into the lane is what is going to take his game to the next level. He was injured early in the Spring AAU sessions, but he is expected to return to full form by the end of the summer.     Even as a young player, [player_tooltip player_id='3461757' first='Colin' last='Legath'] already has the size and shotmaking confidence. That said, his game is already more polished than most players in his class. If a 2029 guard is stepping into events like Philly Clash and East Mania, knocking down four threes in a half against a strong New Heights group, then following that with a 21-point outing against a quality MHC team, that is the proof. Another standout part of his game is his ability to pass to his teammates when they are in positions to score. As he continues to build on this momentum, he looks like one of the younger guards whose name should keep gaining traction.

These five players are major stock risers across Pennsylvania. Keep an eye out for these names during the summer and into the next high school season.