THEY’RE ‘ALMOST FAMOUS’
This year’s all-star team is made up of all guards
The Fabulous 5 all-star team turns 44 years old this year. The Post-Gazette published its first Fab 5 on April 1, 1980. The annual team is made up of the top five players in the WPIAL and City League and is picked by the P-G scholastic sports staff, with help from coaches around the district. This year’s team is made up of all guards.
Among Fab 5 players in the past have been six NBA players, an NBA lottery pick, a few Final Four participants, three NFL first-round draft picks and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Brandin Cummings
Lincoln Park • 6-4 • Senior • Guard
The scoop: A two-time Fab 5 selection, Cummings finished off a stellar career with WPIAL and PIAA titles for the second consecutive season. Averaged 23.9 points and 2.5 steals a game and made 85 3-pointers. Scored 37 points in state championship game, which tied for the most ever by a WPIAL player. Scored 2,224 career points, 21st in WPIAL history. Also had 271 career 3-pointers.
College: Cummings has signed with Pitt, where his brother, Nelly, played his final season.
Most memorable moment this season: The huddle we had in a timeout when we were down, 19-4, to Uniontown, and how we all came together.
Other than a parent, person who has inuenced you the most: For sure my brother, Nelly. He’s done everything I want to do.
Favorite to follow on X or Instagram: Any page that posts jokes or memes.
You can’t be an athlete or coach in the future, you’d be: Some type music artist — rap, R&B, maybe a little country.
Signature move on the basketball court: A step back to the left.
If you could have an NIL deal with anyone, it would be: Primanti Bros.
People might be surprised to know you … : Play the piano.
You said after the state championship that you should be one of the top ve players in WPIAL history. Do you still feel that way? For sure. My legacy already is cemented.
But there have been WPIAL guys make college All-American and impacts in the NBA: You just have to give me some time [laugh].
Meleek Thomas
Lincoln Park • 6-4 • Junior• Guard
The scoop: Rated one of the top 10 juniors in the country. Two-time Fab 5 selection. Extremely versatile guard who averaged a double-double this season (22.7 points and 10.4 rebounds). Also averaged 5.5 assists, 3.2 steals and shot 57% from the field for WPIAL and PIAA champs. Has scored 1,750 career points.
College: Thomas narrowed his college list to 12 last year. Included are Pitt, Kentucky, Auburn, Tennessee and Duke. Has already made official visits to Pitt, Kentucky and Auburn.
Most memorable moment this season: Not even winning the state championship, but just overcoming everything and sticking together and being strong as a team.
Other than a parent, person who has inuenced you the most: My older brother, Shawndale Jones [former player at IUP]. Just because he’s been through everything and I have a blueprint from him now.
Favorite to follow on X or Instagram: When I see basketball things I can use.
You can’t be an athlete or coach in the future, you’d be: Entrepreneur, with my own clothing and shoe business. I like fashion.
Signature move on the basketball court: A hesitation move.
If you could have an NIL deal with anyone, it would be: With whoever the richest person is in the world. Who is it? Whoever it is, that’s who I’d pick.
People might be surprised to know you … : I rap for fun, or my age. People don’t realize I’m still 17.
Do you have any timetable for a college decision: Probably five or six months.
Elijah Guillory
Moon • 6-5 • Senior • Guard The scoop: Moon won a WPIAL championship this season, and Guillory was one of the main reasons. He is a versatile player who did a little of everything for the Tigers, averaging 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals. He made 58 3-pointers and shot 45% behind the arc. He finished his career with 1,484 career points.
College: Guillory made a verbal commitment to Youngstown State late in the season.
Most memorable moment this season: Winning the WPIAL.
When you were a freshman [3-16 record], could you seriously ever dreamed of winning the WPIAL? No. If you would’ve told me that, I would’ve said you’re crazy.
Other than a parent, person who has inuenced you the most: My granddad [Steve Bane]. He’s been a big role model who has taught me a lot in sports — and out of sports.
Favorite to follow on X or Instagram: Probably Overtime.
You can’t be an athlete or coach in the future, you’d be: Probably an engineer.
Signature move on the basketball court: I’ll be giving a secret. I’d say the step back.
If you could have an NIL deal with anyone, it would be: Lamborghini or Ferrari cars.
People might be surprised to know you … : I like to fish. There’s a spot in West Virginia that my granddad and I go to.
Evan Berger
Thomas Jeerson • 6-4 • Senior • Guard
The scoop: Berger is king of all scorers in Thomas Jefferson history. He set a school record for career points with 1,610. He is a goodsized guard who hurt defenses in a variety of ways this season. He averaged 17.7 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. He led Thomas Jefferson to a section title and to the WPIAL semifinals.
College: Berger has signed to play at Edinboro.
Most memorable moment this season: Beating Kiski Area in the playoffs.
Other than a parent, person who has inuenced you the most: My fifth-grade AAU coach, Taz Williams. He just always pushed me and taught me never to take plays off and made me a better person, too.
Favorite to follow on X or Instagram: My future [Edinboro] coach, Justin Jennings.
You can’t be an athlete or coach in the future, you’d be: Sports agent.
Signature move on the basketball court: Drive right, spin to a left-hand layup.
If you could have an NIL deal with anyone, it would be: Burger King.
Because of the food? Nope. Because my last name is Berger.
Thomas Jeerson is known for football. Did you ever play or want to play? I played in middle school. I was a quarterback. It’s too much of a time commitment for TJ football. I wanted to focus on basketball.
Peter Kramer
Hampton • 6-5 • Senior • Guard The scoop: Kramer played his first two years at Shady Side Academy and then came back to Hampton, where he lived and attended school through eighth grade. Kramer had a big senior season, averaging 22 points for a team that made it to the WPIAL title game and the PIAA semifinals. A good shooter with the ability to also score on drives, Kramer made 79 3-pointers this season and shot 85% from the free throw line. He also averaged 6.2 rebounds a game.
College: Kramer signed with Lehigh in November. His father, grandfather and an aunt all attended Lehigh.
Most memorable moment this season: Our home game against Knoch when Liam Mignogna hit a buzzer-beater.
Other than a parent, person who has inuenced you the most: My coach in elementary school, Scott Andrews.
Favorite to follow on X or Instagram: Drake.
You can’t be an athlete or coach in the future, you’d be: Probably a stock broker. That would be awesome.
Signature move on the basketball court: Probably the “hesi” for a 3.
If you could have an NIL deal with anyone, it would be: Chipotle. I probably go there four times a week. That’s kind of bad, but ...
People might be surprised to know you … : I’m a pretty good golfer.
Are you glad you came back to Hampton for your last two years? Yes, 100%. It was probably one of the best decisions I ever made. I was so happy to be with all my friends again and it’s a great community.