The Platform: Illinois Stock Risers

<p>What a weekend of hoops in Birmingham, Alabama at The Platform!  Prep Hoops hosted hundreds of D1 college coaches at the 19 court venue.  Here we examine what we saw looking at <strong>The Platform: Illinois Stock Risers</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1056105" first="Sherod" last="Dent"] (Hoops 4 Health 17U)</strong></p> <p>Dent is a Niles Notre Dame combo forward that can play inside and out.  Did most of his damage the game we saw on the offensive glass using his strong frame for put backs.  He made a couple quick passes and was adequate as a spot up shooter.  D2 prospect.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1237243" first="Ja’Marcus" last="Webb"] (Illinois Hoopstars 17U)</strong></p> <p>Webb is a small college gem that emerged in Birmingham.  The 6’1” Normal West guard did a nice job slashing and scoring in the lane on runners.  Was also effective in the open floor.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863583" first="Robbie" last="Avila"] (Meanstreets 17U)</strong></p> <p>Robbie “Buckets” Avila did just that over the weekend.  He utilized his slo-mo game scoring from the high-post on crafty drives and was efficient on the block with his post touches.  Rebounded at a good clip in the minutes he saw especially Sunday when he got the start.  Plus passer for a big man that understands the game.  Mid-major plus prospect.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="925224" first="Nick" last="Martinelli"] (Meanstreets 17U)</strong></p> <p>Martinelli is a recent Elon commit and the Glenbrook South product has an inside/outside game where he can slash to the hoop from the high-post for scores, but is equally adept at scoring in the post.  Quick and decisive moves for buckets in the paint using crafty finishes to convert.  Good rebounder and skilled passer.  So productive!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1106928" first="Max" last="Love"] (HIT 17U)</strong></p> <p>Love is a sniper with such a free and easy shot.  He drains them from all over the floor every time we see him play.  Nothing but net every single time.  Knocks them down both off the catch and pulling up with crisp one dribble pull ups.  Small college gem that D2s could take a look at.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863594" first="Xavier" last="Lewis"] (Young &amp; Reckless/Authentic Basketball  17U)</strong></p> <p>Really liked the activity level that Lewis played with over the weekend.  He was extremely active on the glass flying in on both ends to snatch rebounds in traffic.  At this stage he is mostly a bouncy offensive rebounder, dive/lob threat, rim runner, and shot blocking presence.  Low-majors would be wise to take a chance on this prospect.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048305" first="Wesley" last="Rubin"] (Meanstreets 16U)</strong></p> <p>Rubin showcased his skill level off at The Platform.  The Meanstreets four man is an excellent distributor that makes sound decisions along with flashy passes from his power forward spot.  What we like most is his touch around the hoop and how efficient he is with everything that he does.  Mid-major player.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048724" first="Niel" last="Davis"] (Old Gold 17U)</strong></p> <p>Davis is a slick guard from Kenwood that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle with so many high profile younger prospects on his high school team.  He impresses each time we watch him with Old Gold.  Slithering guard that has a knack for finding a weakness in the perimeter defense and exploiting it by hitting the hole like a running back.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Trevon Thomas (Illinois Hoopstars 17U)</strong></p> <p>Thomas opened our eyes in June with DePaul Prep and that continued over to the July lives.  Combo guard that can really shoot the basketball from the perimeter.  Plus sniper with deep range on his shot.  Can play on or off the ball at the small college level.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Mason Delaney (Illinois Attack 17U)</strong></p> <p>Man can this kid shoot the basketball!  The Illinois Attack sniper lit it up for 10 threes in one game along with seven of them in another.  Small colleges looking for a sharp shooter this is one to eye!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Charles Nosek (Illinois Attack 17U)</strong></p> <p>Another Illinois Attack prospect that caught our attention.  Nice combination of size and skill on the perimeter.  Can post up smaller wing defenders and moves well without the ball to get open.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863639" first="Brady" last="Moore"] (Illinois Bears 17U)</strong></p> <p>Moore was productive when we caught the Bears play over the weekend.  The Breese Central shooting guard is a gritty scorer that makes plays scoring in the lane on spinning layups and converted several and-1s.  Terrific find at the small college level.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863595" first="Matthew" last="Volkening"] (Kessel Heat 17U)</strong></p> <p>Volkening helped himself with a strong weekend in Birmingham.  We hadn’t seen him in a while, but the jumper is still on point.  Drained crisp shots from three and inside the arc at a nice clip all weekend.  Also displayed better athleticism and solid handles.  D2s should take a look.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1113525" first="Caden" last="Hawkins"] (Illinois Bears 16U)</strong></p> <p>Hawkins is a small college guard that can really shoot it in the 2023 class.  He nailed three triples in the Bears early morning win on Sunday.  Also can step in for one or two dribble pull ups.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048383" first="Wyatt" last="Hamson"] (Illinois Bears 16U)</strong></p> <p>Hamson was productive when we saw him in Birmingham.  Wide bodied five with legit size.  Rebounds well in his area and finished strong around the basket.  Plays extremely physical on both ends of the floor.</p>