A walk-on who joined the team in the fall of 2009, Silko had a highly successful high school career at South Fayette HS southwest of Pittsburgh. A good shooter with quick hands, he will be looked toward to push the Nittany Lion guards in practice and help run the 'scout team' offense as he begins his first season with the program.
HIGH SCHOOL
Silko was a four-year varsity starter at South Fayette HS earning Post-Gazette All-Section honors while serving as a team captain as a junior and senior...Helped lead South Fayette to section championships in 2008 and 2009...Canned seven 3-pointers and scored 28 points to lead the Lions to a 75-58 Class AA Section 3 win against Seton-LaSalle...earned Almanac Honorable-mention honors...also played varsity baseball...a member of the National Honor Society...graduated with honors and was named a Scholar Athlete from ninth to 10th grade and Principal Scholar from ninth to 12th grade.
PERSONAL
The son of Alan and Beth Silko...His father, Alan, is an attorney and Joe has plans to major in crime, law and justice and pursue a career as an attorney...Has two younger brothers, Adam and Tommy, and an older sister, Jessica...His father is a Penn State graduate and his sister, Jessica, is Penn State graduate currently attending law school at the University Park campus.