WPIAL 2026 First Looks

<p>As summer moves in, an opportunity arises to start taking a look at some incoming freshmen who could make a name for themselves this winter. With Pittsburgh basketball on the rise, there will be plenty of names added to such a list.</p> <p>While it’s very early for 2026 players as school enrollments can change between now and September and transfers during HS years become more commonplace and accepted as part of the evolution of the game in this area, here are some names to pay attention to this summer and look for this coming high school season as potential varsity contributors.</p> <div dir="auto"><strong>Grant Spacciapolli</strong> | 6’0" | G | Pine Richland</div> <div dir="auto">One of the top shooters in next year’s freshman class, Spacciapolli can stretch the floor and make defenders pay. He’ll fit in well with Pine Richland’s guard heavy offense. Currently plays summer ball for 212 Wildcats and comes from a basketball family.</div> <div dir="auto"> </div> <div dir="auto"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1406791" first="Scoop" last="Smith"]</strong> | 5’7" | G | Woodland Hills</div> <div dir="auto">Playing for All Ohio Summer, early reports have Smith as one of the top guards in Western PA for his class. He’s got a smooth stroke on his shot, good ballhandling skills and is already getting a ton of social media hype as one of the top in the region. Multi sport athlete who will also make noise on the gridiron for Woodland Hills. </div> <div> </div> <div dir="auto"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1454309" first="Julian" last="Semplice"]</strong> | 6’0" | G | Chartiers Valley</div> <div dir="auto">The Steeltown Basketball Club prospect may be the top defender in the WPIAL for the Class of 2026. He can knock down shots but is at his best getting at the rim. He’s the type of hustle kid who you want on the top of the press. </div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Nicholas Trkja</strong> | 6’2" | F | Thomas Jefferson</div> <div>While growth trajectory is always a difficult thing to project for young kids, Trkja already has the height to contribute on the boards at both ends and can also score at all three levels. </div> <div> </div> <div><strong>Donovan Carney</strong> | 6’1" | G | Butler Area</div> <div>A bigger guard who can slash, shoot and finish. He’s an excellent passer who’s learned the backcourt game from a very talented family member. He’s the younger brother of Duquesne commit Devin Carney, who was one of the elite players in the WPIAL the last four years. Have to imagine that Butler, a town which may be one of Western PA’s top "basketball towns" will remain a force for the next few years with another Carney driving the bus and basketball being the sport of choice for kids in town. </div>