The Platform: Top Illinois Performers
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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 today looking at The Platform: Top Illinois Performers! Tyler…
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Continue ReadingWhat 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 today looking at The Platform: Top Illinois Performers!
Tyler Van Gorp
Tyler
Van Gorp
6'10" | C
New Trier | 2023
State
IL
(Hoops 4 Health 17U)
TVG was very good on Friday when we saw the New Trier big man play. He is a skilled post with legit size at 6’10” and long arms. Needs to add strength, but the way he seals and his feel for scoring around the hoop is impressive. Did a nice job as well on the glass. Class of 2023 is a five to monitor for low-majors.
DJ Starr DJ Starr 6'1" | PG Ravenwood | 2022 State TN (Illinois Hoopstars 17U)
Starr is a Normal University High School product that is one of the better central Illinois guards in the 2022 class. Strong frame allows him to take contact at the rim. Burst with the ball in his hands off the bounce getting to the rack and has a good overall feel for picking his spots to score and distribute. D2 programs should keep close tabs here.
AJ Casey AJ Casey 6'8" | PF Whitney Young | 2022 State #55 Nation IL (Meanstreets 17U)
The top prospect in the 2022 class from Illinois is this Whitney Young power forward. Easy to see why with his fluid movements on the front line. Athletic big man that did a nice job of finishing with explosiveness around the hoop along with using his hops securing boards in traffic. Posted solid numbers all tournament and is a coveted high-major recruit.
Kam Craft Kam Craft 6'5" | SF TSF | 2022 State #54 Nation GA (Meanstreets 17U)
Xavier got a good one in Craft. The Buffalo Grove shooting guard popped for the Musketeers before the live period and it is a good thing because the way he played at The Platform a ton of schools would have probably jumped in. Skilled scorer that can get buckets from multiple levels. Scored with deep threes, smooth mid-range jumpers, and acrobatic finishes at the rim. Regularly over 20 points all weekend.
Tavari Johnson Tavari Johnson 6'0" | PG Lyons Township | 2022 State #171 Nation IL (Young & Reckless/Authentic Basketball 17U)
One of the more underappreciated point guards in the Midwest once again showed why. He led his team to a strong weekend including beating EYBL squad LivOn on a floater at the buzzer. His ability to get in the teeth of a defense and pick them apart with his passing and runner game is tremendous. Electric around ball screen situations slicing the defense up over and over again. Some will be scared off because of height, but he is a mid-major prospect all the way.
Damari Wheeler-Thomas Damari Wheeler-Thomas 6'0" | PG Larkin | 2022 State IL (Young & Reckless/Authentic Basketball 17U)
Wheeler-Thomas also had a solid weekend for his squad. The Larkin point guard was in more of a score first mode in the games that we saw. Quick guard that wins off the bounce with shifty handles and short area quickness. Solid mid-range pull up game and can hit a three on occasion. Low-majors will love this guard.
Marquel Saleek Marquel Saleek 5'9" | PG Willowbrook | 2022 State IL (Illinois Hoopstars 17U)
Saleek is among the more under the radar guards in 2022 that has elevated his stock with a strong spring/early summer. The Willowbrook product is a broad shouldered combo guard that is silky smooth with the rock in his hands. Creates his offense off the bounce getting to the rack for scores and is a sound pull up shooter. Worth checking out for D2 programs.
Sam Lewis Sam Lewis 6'5" | SF Oak Park River Forest | 2023 State IL (Meanstreets 16U)
Lewis was spectacular all weekend. The OPRF shooting guard is making a strong case to move inside the top 10 in our next 2023 update. Feathery shot from the perimeter that he drained at a super high clip all weekend. One of the premier shooters in his class for sure and can also mix in some drives as well as transition scores too. Mid-major plus guy.
Miles Rubin Miles Rubin 6'7" | PF Homewood Flossmoor | 2023 State #243 Nation IL (Meanstreets 16U)
Rubin is a long and angular four from Simeon that was outstanding in their final game of the weekend. So quick off the floor finishing and getting on the glass with his second jump. He excels at finishing dump off passes, crashing the offensive glass, and rim running. Projects as a mid-major plus prospect.
Daniel Johnson Daniel Johnson 6'6" | SF Whitney Young | 2023 State #231 Nation IL (Meanstreets 16U)
Three and D wing! High level perimeter defender that uses his length to cause havoc on that end of the floor. He also is an excellent spot up shooter that loves the corners. Was amazing shooting the rock from distance over the weekend. Mid-major plus player as well.
Grant Fridley Grant Fridley 6'1" | PG Wesclin | 2023 State IL (Illinois Bears 16U)
This Trenton Wesclin point guard is among the top floor generals in the 618 in the rising junior class. Heady guard that makes sound decisions with the rock in his hands as a distributor and when he needs to score can turn it up. Did just that in their win going for 20 points on Sunday morning utilizing a slick pull up game and getting in the heart of the defense. D2 schools would be wise to jump in early here!