While the Beaver Valley high school basketball season has just begun, with sectional play beginning for a handful of classifications, the college basketball season is in full swing, entering its second month of the 2025-26 season, with programs entering conference play in the coming weeks.
There are many great local talents who have gone on to play Division I basketball at the next level, both on the men’s and women’s side.
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Here’s a look at some of the Beaver Valley players competing at the highest level of college basketball.
Men’s basketball
LA Pratt, Northeast (Lincoln Park)
After a career year in his junior season, averaging 11.2 points, 2.5 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game, Pratt was destined for another good season, starting the year averaging 17 points per game and three assists per game. However, Pratt’s senior season was cut short three games into the campaign, suffering a season-ending injury against Harvard on November 11. Pratt could use a medical redshirt and play a fifth season.
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Jake DiMichele, Duquesne (OLSH)
After playing in just seven games in his sophomore season at Duquesne due to injury, the redshirt sophomore played in three games, averaging 2.3 points per game and grabbing six rebounds.
Brandin Cummings, Pitt (Lincoln Park)
Although Pitt stumbled, that wasn’t the case for the sophomore, who broke out in his sophomore season, averaging 13.7 points per game, connecting on 43 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range. Cummings is coming off a career-high game against Hofstra on Dec. 7, eclipsing 30 points for the second time in his career, finishing with a career-high 31 points.
December 6, 2025; North Little Rock, Arkansas, United States; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Meleek Thomas (1) drives against Fresno State Bulldogs forward Wilson Jacques (16) and DeShawn Gory (35) during the second half at Simmons Bank Arena. Arkansas won 82-58. Mandatory credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Méléek Thomas, Arkansas (Lincoln Park)
After an impressive prep career at Lincoln Park and Overtime Elite his senior season, Thomas took off at Arkansas as a freshman, averaging 16.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Most of the true freshmen’s damage has come off the bench, appearing in all nine of the Razorback’s games this season, while starting in two. Thomas is quickly moving up the NBA draft ladder and could become the second former Beaver Valley basketball player to be selected in the draft in as many years. He is currently projected as a late first round pick, but with continued success, Thomas could see himself moving up to a lottery pick.
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Women’s basketball
Alena Fusetti, Mercyhurst (Blackhawk)
Fusetti saw an increase in playing time this season, starting in four games and appearing in all eight of Mercyhurst’s contests. The sophomore averages 4.8 points per game, shooting 42 percent from the field and 31 percent from three-point range.
Quinn Borroni, Mercyhurst (Blackhawk)
Borroni has yet to appear in a match this season. The sophomore guard played in 21 games last season, starting in 11 of those contests and averaging 2.1 points per game.
This article originally appeared in the Beaver County Times: Six Beaver Valley basketball stars are making noise at the NCAA Division I level
