Pittsburgh Bigs To Watch This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WPIAL Class of 2023 has a host of guards who are college level players and the younger classes are also filled with some quality at the guard spots, but Pittsburgh is also producing some college talent in the frontcourt. Today we look at some of the top forwards to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1284792' first='Debaba' last='Tshiebwe']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/debaba-tshiebwe-2/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>| 6'6” | F | Pittsburgh Central Catholic 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A man among boys in the middle physically, Tshiebwe put in a solid season for Central Catholic under the basket as a junior and will once again be the main man in the middle for Brian Urso this coming winter. His footwork in the post continues to improve and Debaba is a dominating player on the glass and an effective shot blocker. He's got the ability to finish around the rim with authority and will be the top senior big man in the WPIAL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1173989' first='Royce' last='Parham']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/royce-parham/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>| 6'7” | F | North Hills 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parham has reached the national level as a recruit thanks to his play with Team Durant and he's one of the top frontcourt players to come out of the WPIAL in some time. He runs the floor well, can battle under the basket but can also hit shots outside to draw them away from the basket and break them down off the dribble. Royce is tough on the boards and has developed the killer instinct out there on the floor. He's dangerous around the rim on both ends of the floor as a scorer, rebounder and shot blocker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1188606' first='Alier' last='Maluk']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/alier-maluk/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>| 6'10” | F| Imani Christian 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maluk, like Parham, is one of the top big men to come out of Pittsburgh in some time. He's got a high ceiling and is only entering his sophomore year. He can run the floor well for a big man, has good handles and he knows how to finish at the rim. Maluk has a host of high major D1 offers and interest and will be one of the top players in the state and the nation for his class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='991387' first='Sam' last='Kelly']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/sam-kelly/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>| 6'5' | F | Allderdice 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly is arguably the best player in the Pittsburgh City League this coming season. He's a multi sport athlete, also playing on the volleyball team. Kelly is a player who will likely be on the wing at the next level and can put the ball on the floor, beat defenders around the basket and also has range that extends beyond the three point line. A solid rebounder on defense, he's also a board crasher on offense and scores a lot of second chance points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1187999' first='Brayden' last='Foster']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brayden-foster/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>|6'8” | F | Highlands 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Foster has a strong build and had an breakout sophomore season. He's got soft hands and good footwork in the post. Foster is a strong rebounder who can create second chance scoring opportunities. His breakout season saw him get opportunities with AAU teams from the I-95 corridor and he is in line for a big junior year as a scholarship level prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->