WPIAL Prospects Who Had A Big Spring Showing
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For decades Western Pennsylvania was respected for producing some of the grittiest, toughest, hardest working college basketball players in the country. Like the football players of the 1940s-1980s, the hoopsters were born and bred in the mill and mining towns…
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Continue ReadingFor decades Western Pennsylvania was respected for producing some of the grittiest, toughest, hardest working college basketball players in the country. Like the football players of the 1940s-1980s, the hoopsters were born and bred in the mill and mining towns around the area and were forged in steel; The city kids flooded playgrounds in Pittsburgh, McKeesport, Braddock and other places and found the top competition to ensure that the entire region was playing top tier basketball.
The region produced elite talent for some time but took a bit of a step back in the last decade as far as depth of talent was concerned. That trend is being reversed and the next few classes hold more depth and more college prospects than the WPIAL has seen in some time, as Pittsburgh basketball is once again on the rise.
Today we feature four players who have had good spring seasons on the AAU circuit. The remainder of summer and upcoming HS season should be an impact year for Pittsburgh basketball as the depth and young talent begin to shine through.
Connor Spratt Connor Spratt 6'3" | PG Seton LaSalle | 2023 State PA | 6’2” | G | Seton LaSalle 2023
Spratt, who was one of the top guards in the WPIAL as a junior, continued his fine play throughout the spring season. He showcased his full skillset off in the spring live period and his recruiting stock has gone through the roof. Top notch ball handler and facilitator with two ranges when it comes to shooting: beyond the arc and way beyond the arc. Lightning quick release on his shot. The interest is starting to mount and offers should be soon to follow.
Dante DePante Dante DePante 6'3" | PG Central Catholic | 2023 State PA | 6’3” | G | Pittsburgh Central Catholic 2023
DePante, another of the elite returning guards in the WPIAL for this coming season, used the spring period as a personal statement to the coaches watching him. He came out the gate in the AAU season dropping big point totals and also showing off his smooth ballhandling skills. He earned a second D-1 offer(Radford) and there should be more on the way as the summer goes on. Expect him to have a BIG senior year.
Royce Parham Royce Parham 6'8" | PF Western Reserve Academy | 2024 State #53 Nation OH | 6’7” | F | North Hills 2024
Parham was fantastic at the Pittsburgh Jamfest for Team Durant and showed that he found another gear, just a month after the HS season. His evolution from prospect to solid sophomore with high potential to “Elite” was rapid. He had the skills, especially around the basket on both ends, but he found and showcased the “bite” that puts a player like him into the national recruit conversation. His solid spring has seen offers pour in left and right for him. With everyone around him graduating at North Hills, he’s going to have some heavy lifting to do this coming season.
Rowan Carmichael Rowan Carmichael 5'11" | CG Avonworth | 2025 State PA | 5’9” | G| Avonworth 2025
The Coach’s Son has had a busy spring for club and HS team. He most recently had a big weekend in a HS showcase with his Avonworth teammates after a good spring with a PK Flash team that’s got a nice set of 2025s playing together. He has deep range and good ballhandling skills. He’ll be a name to remember the next few years as part of a talented WPIAL 2025 class that includes some nationally recognized names.