5 Western PA Players Having Big AAU Seasons

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AAU and the live period is in full swing. Here are five players from Western Pennsylvania who are turning heads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"[player_tooltip player_id='2486493' first='Ryan' last='Robbins']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Upper St. Clair","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Scoring Factory Elite","_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-66563afb7ac13"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2486493' first='Ryan' last='Robbins'] is an intriguing young talent. The 6'7" rising sophomore has been physically dominating the competition this AAU season. Robbins was a star at the JV level for Upper St. Clair last year, averaging a double-double. He has carried it over to the travel circuit, proving to be an absolute force on the interior. Offensively, Robbins is a load in the paint. He cleans up misses and loose balls around the rim with his massive size and physicality. Robbins also shows promising footwork and touch with an array of polished back-to-the-basket moves in the post. His soft hands and coordination allow him to finish plays through contact. Robbins seems to just be scratching the surface of his immense potential. He has an outstanding work ethic and drive to continue improving all aspects of his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1406953"],"_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-66563afb7acad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1406953' first='Eric' last='James Jr.'] has taken his game to new heights with his elite athleticism and scoring prowess on full display the AAU circuit. The 6'3" junior shooting guard is absolutely exploding for Epic Elite. What immediately jumps out is James' off-the-charts athletic ability. His combination of speed, quickness and leaping ability make him a human highlight reel. However, he is far more than just an athletic finisher. James has developed into a dangerous three-level scorer. He possesses a smooth shooting stroke that extends out beyond the arc. James gets great elevation on his jumper and has a quick release to get his shot off against any defense. On top of his scoring punch, James shows excellent instincts and anticipation skills defensively. He has quick hands and feet to apply ball pressure, while also reading passing lanes for deflections and steals. After a red-hot start on the UAA circuit where he's the third-leading scorer, it's no surprise college coaches are taking notice. Programs like Lehigh have already offered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1188640"],"_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-66563afb7ad1d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1188640' first='Ralphie' last='Blundo'] is the type of gritty guard that every coach would love to have on their team. The 6'0" senior has been a standout this AAU season by simply doing all the little things to help his team win games. What immediately stands out is Blundo's toughness and hustle. He plays with a nonstop motor, constantly diving on the floor for loose balls and sacrificing his body to take charges. He balances that physicality with a very high basketball IQ. Blundo rarely turns the ball over and makes excellent decisions with the ball. He has great court vision and is always willing to make the extra pass. On top of his unselfishness, Blundo provides a steady hand as a knock-down shooter. He has a smooth stroke with range extending beyond the three-point line.He has a strong frame to absorb contact around the rim and uses his body well to finish in the paint.</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":"[player_tooltip player_id='2478651' first='Trevor' last='Rehm']","_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":"6'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bishop Guilfoyle","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"PK Flash","_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-66563afb7ade6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2478651' first='Trevor' last='Rehm'] is opening a lot of eyes with his combination of size, athleticism and skill on the AAU circuit. The 6'8" power forward in the 2025 class is an intriguing prospect that Division II programs are already expressing interest in. What immediately jumps out is Rehm's elite athleticism. He showcases great quickness and mobility for a big man. Rehm has developed some impressive offensive polish. He has a smooth pull-up jumper from the midrange. Rehm's shooting stroke also extends beyond the arc. In the post, he utilizes skilled footwork and fakes with an array of back-to-the-basket moves. Defensively, Rehm really shines. With his length and leaping ability, he is a true force as a shot blocker and rim protector. While his present skills are already intriguing enough to garner D-II interest, Rehm's physical upside is what makes him such an exciting prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2398507"],"_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-66563afb7ae53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2398507' first='Josh' last='Pratt'] has been unguardable on the offensive end so far this AAU season. What immediately stands out is Pratt's ambidextrous finishing around the rim. Pratt shows excellent pace and change-of-speed in the lane, setting up defenders then blowing by them. His first step is explosive, and he has the body control to contort and adjust in mid-air. Defensively, Pratt is no slouch. He plays with physicality and utilizes his length well to make plays on that end. His combination of scoring, two-way energy, and higher upside have already garnered him Division 1 offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->