The Platform: National Under the Radar Performers

<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: National Under the Radar Performers</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Alandis Johnson (North Alabama Elite 17U)</strong></p> <p>This 6’3” shooting guard opened the event with a solid showing.  Clean looking three point stroke.  Bouncy athlete that can also crash the offensive glass.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>RJ Taylor (Meanstreets 17U)</strong></p> <p>Taylor is a 2023 point guard that was playing up on the 17U.  He was outstanding as the Meanstreets backup point guard.  The Michigan native played within himself finding his plethora of weapons for scores.  Also found his own offense when needed with creative floaters and knocked in spot up threes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kareem Rozier (Meanstreets 17U)</strong></p> <p>Rozier is the starting point guard for Meanstreets.  The under the radar Michigan prospect was effective throughout the event with his toughness and leadership from the lead guard position.  Spinning layups in the paint.  Setting up guys off pick/roll action.  Hit open threes when they present themselves.  Low-major guy.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Rasheed Jones (Team Teague 17U)</strong></p> <p>Silky smooth two guard that has a rangy frame.  Really good spot up shooter that will excel doing that at the next level as a shooting specialist that can also check a couple different spots on the defensive end.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Camden Bontrager (Team Teague 17U)</strong></p> <p>At 6’8” with a strong body this Team Teague big man finished with strength inside with a couple of powerful jams.  Also rebounded well in his area.  Low-majors should be all over him!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kali Allen (Tulsa Hawks 17U)</strong></p> <p>This combo forward is a high-motor kid that defends well in the paint and used his bounce to swat shots on the defensive end.  Also took it from the mid-post and cut hard for several scores at the rim.  Low-majors get in here.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jackson Skipper (MPJ Elite 17U)</strong></p> <p>Skipper is a wing with size and projectability.  Early in the weekend he popped off the floor with his switch ability on the defensive end.  Athletic wing that has long strides attacking off the bounce and was a really nice shooter from distance.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Omarion Henry (MPJ Elite 17U)</strong></p> <p>Henry will go prep this season, but look for D1s to get involved.  He was outstanding on Sunday in their game.  Combo forward is a tall shooter that stretched it to beyond the arc consistently.  Also threw down some huge dunks.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Akieves Shorts (Alabama Celtics 17U)</strong></p> <p>Gritty leader is heart and soul of the Alabama Celtics.  He hit the game winner in the game we saw.  This kid has that “it” factor that you can’t teach.  Pesky defender.  Low-majors should take a look.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Romeo Bell (NEBC 17U)</strong></p> <p>Silky smooth off guard that can get buckets from multiple levels.  Good size and fluid wing that has a clean and easy shot.  Scored at a nice clip over the weekend.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kasheem Grady (Georgia Stars 17U)</strong></p> <p>Grady was the other Georgia Stars wing that was a sniper from deep.  Such a crisp mid-range game along with being able to drain feathery threes.  Like what he brought defensively checking twos and threes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Mady Traore (Georgia Stars 17U)</strong></p> <p>Big man is a monster shot blocking presence.  Mobile defender that can switch and come from the weakside for swats.  Skies for high point rebounds.  Raw offensively, but is a nice dive/lob threat.  High-major guy.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Thatcher McClure (Beast Up 17U)</strong></p> <p>This power forward brought energy on both ends of the floor.  Finished dump off passes and was nifty around the basket scoring on reverse layups and other acrobatic conversions.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Shilo Jackson (EG10 17U)</strong></p> <p>Jackson caught our attention in the spring.  He plans on heading the prep route this year.  Love his potential a year from now as a 2022 recruit.  Athletic rim runner that is active on the offensive glass for put backs, plus shot blocker, and runs the floor like a guard.  Low-majors and mid-majors should check him out.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Isaiah Matthews (Alabama Celtics 16U)</strong></p> <p>Matthews opened our eyes with an excellent second half performance against the Illinois Bears.  Combo guard that put his head down and got to the hoop or foul line in bunches trying to bring his team back.  The 2023 guard made play after play for his squad.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Todd Jones (LivOn 15U)</strong></p> <p>Jones was one of the best 15U kids I saw in my limited view of that age division.  Bouncy 6’8” four that has broad shoulders and a frame that he will be able to add strength.  Explosive around the hoop diving for layups and dunks.  Altered shots defensively and can switch on to a guard if he needs in ball screens.  Has the look of a high-major kid early on.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jackson Lodge (Minnesota Fury 17U)</strong></p> <p>Minnesota prospect has a strong frame at the power forward spot.  What we liked most was how well he rebounded in his area and his passing out of the post along with facing up.  Hit his teammates for several dimes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kortez Stephenson (KC Spurs 17U)</strong></p> <p>Stephenson is a thick bodied combo forward that converted in the paint, got put backs, and was overall extremely efficient finishing on the interior.</p>