PGH ’26 Showcase: The Freshman 15 (#10-#5)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's see who cracked the top ten of my favorite players from the PGH Freshman Showcase.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6304e13b99bb6","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["481353"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":484728,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Poland popped as soon as the showcase started. Her rim running was elite, and she burned the defense over and over in transition for easy layups. She is a high-motor big who outworks everyone on the court. I also liked her skill set in the half court. Poland plays with patience and doesn't rush when receiving the ball. She can stretch the floor and is very effective in the mid-range.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#9</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6304e12499bb5","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["278585"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Intangibly, there is no point guard like Gonzalez. She brings energy and life to whatever team she plays on and has some of the best leadership qualities you'll see out of any prospect in the class. The ultimate tone setter, Gonzalez always sparks her team with her max effort and dynamic playmaking on the break. Even at her size, Gonzalez finds a way to be a high-impact guard, which speaks to her level of toughness. She also is a reliable jump shooter and made defenses pay for leaving her open.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6304e0a699bb4","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["307563"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":484726,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sullivan might be the most versatile prospect in the '26 class. She impacted the game at every position at the event and was a matchup nightmare for the opposition. Sullivan brought the ball up, initiated the team's offense, scored from all three levels, and was solid down low in the post. You can use Sullivan in various ways, which makes her so valuable. Her size and skill set combination can mask team deficiencies and weaknesses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6304df5d99bb3","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["483913"],"_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_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saturday was my first time seeing Bousquet play; there are many things to like about her game. What initially stood out was her help defense. Bousquet was always in the proper position to alter shots and slow down the opposing team. She is a bouncy athlete with a quick first and second jump, leading to Bousquet pulling down numerous rebounds. She also plays off two feet. Whenever Bousquet caught the ball down low, she would make a powerful mood and explode through the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6304dddc99bb1","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["273928"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":484708,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Florio came ready to play from the minute the showcase started. Known for her lights-out jumper, Florio wasted no time showing off the range and nailing three-pointers from all over the court. I also thought her in-between game was smooth and fluid. She had little difficulty getting into the second level and exploded towards the rim. Florio's energy level was high throughout the showcase, and she was one of the more fun players to watch compete.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6304de8b99bb2","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["422812"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":484711,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burke was the best two-way player at the showcase. She uses her length well defensively and racked up many deflections and steals. Burke also has the foot speed and size to defend multiple positions. Offensively, she was one of the scariest long-range threats in the gym. Burke needed little daylight to get her shot off and went through stretches where she was unconscious on Saturday. It is hard not to love the upside of Burke, and she will be a player who makes a lot of noise this fall/winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->