Top Performers from Louisiana at The Platform

The Platform was a live period showcase of some of the best high school talent in the nation. During the event, players from the eleven Louisiana teams were some of the best performers of the weekend. In this Prep Hoops Louisiana article, we will review some of the players from the Boot who played well during the live period in Birmingham. [player_tooltip player_id="781851" first="Kyran" last="Ratliff"] (6’8" / F / LivOn Fleur-de-Lis 17U) Ratliff lived at the rim during play on the showcase courts at The Platform. He scored often from penetration from the guards and finished with dunks or layups. Ratliff used his athleticism to man the paint causing a lot of misses at the rim. He was either deflecting post entries or blocking shots near the basket and in the mid-range. For being the main offensive and defensive post presence, Ratliff performed well. [player_tooltip player_id="1055172" first="Corey" last="Chest"] (6’8" / F / LivOn Fleur-de-Lis 16U) One of the most atheltically gifted players in Louisiana got a chance to show his gifts during The Platform. Chest is a long and lean player who finishes above the rim with flair and power. He is excellent in transition as well. Whether it is running the floor and receiving a pass for the finish or shooting the gap to complete a breakaway himself, Chest is always making a play. He rebounds the ball extremely well and is an above average finisher at the rim. Chest displayed an array of talent that will have coaches knocking at his door very soon. [player_tooltip player_id="932850" first="Donovan" last="Seamster"] (6’2" / SG / O.W.E.) Seamster was one of the hottest (if not the hottest) shooters over the three days of play in Birmingham. He had multiple games of making five of more threes and was a danger from anywhere inside of halfcourt. Seamster even showed off an improved handle which gave him room to let it fly. The volume of triples he made over the weekend and the distance from whence he shot them definitely peaked the interest of coaches who attended his games. [player_tooltip player_id="981495" first="Jordan" last="Crawford"] (6’2" / CG / O.W.E.) Coaches in Birmingham may have seen the dawning of Crawford as a point guard during The Platform. Executing the high pick-and-roll with his big men, Crawford displayed the ability to attack the rim against longer and taller defenders as well as the ability to probe the lane and find shooters. Defensively he was able to switch onto guards and wings with no issue and not be overwhelmed. Crawford also had a couple of impressive blocks where he chased down drives to deter layups. While he has always been a good defender, Crawford’s maturation at the point is what will interest coaches the most. [player_tooltip player_id="970123" first="Fred" last="Payne"] (6’1" / CG / LivOn Fleur-de-Lis 16U) The former Lincoln Prep and Sunrise Christian guard was at the top of his game during his time in Birmingham displaying his whole bag during 16U play. One game Payne played the off guard primarily and was hot from behind the arc. The next game when a team decided to zone them, he played facilitator in the middle of the zone dropping dimes. Payne played point on and off as well showing that he can run an offense. [player_tooltip player_id="970123" first="Fred" last="Payne"] is a high IQ player who can fill multiple roles on a team. That is exactly what he did in Birmingham. Marquailon Mitchell (6’4" / CG / Hustle Hard 2022) Mitchell has some stretches during the weekend where he dominated play on the floor. He is a player who has the freedom rebound and push the ball up the floor. There were times when Mitchell did that, teams could not stop him from scoring. Mitchell has long arms, can defend multiple positions, and can take guards and bigs off the dribble. His skill set is an attractive one to say the least. [player_tooltip player_id="781836" first="Donald" last="Butler"] (6’5" / F / Showtime Elite 2022) Butler may have had one of the most exciting plays of the weekend when he caught a Kessel Heat defender on a late rotation during a broken play and dunked on him. However, that is what Butler does. He spent the weekend making plays. Butler had a couple of chase down blocks, he nailed timely mid-range jumpers and making hustle plays when needed. He is an active wing around the rim with a ton of athleticism which should spark interest on several college levels. [player_tooltip player_id="932856" first="Lance" last="Waddles"] (6’3" / CG / O.W.E.) Waddles was another O.W.E. guard that was red hot from behind the three point line. During their last game at The Platform, Waddles went six for six from three ending with 20-plus points. Not only did Waddles shoot it well, he looked really comfortable driving to the cup. He has gotten stronger and finished layups amidst contact from quality bigs on the opposing team. His shooting prowess and willingness to attack the rim makes him a viable option to play at various four year schools on the next level. Micah Willis (6’2" / CG / Hustle Hard 2022) Willis was an addition to the Hustle Hard family for The Platform and needless to say he made his mark while he was there. During the weekend, he was one of the best at getting into the lane and scoring the rock or getting fouled. Willis saved one of his best drives for the end of their contest with East Coast United as he drove the right side of the lane and kissed a layup off the glass. He has a strong upper body and can handle the rock well. That combination is good for a guard who likes to penetrate and score like Willis can. Other players such as [player_tooltip player_id="981596" first="Alexzaye" last="Johnson"] (LivOn 17U), [player_tooltip player_id="1206645" first="Lawrence" last="Forcell"] (Showtime Elite ’22), [player_tooltip player_id="1145567" first="Connor" last="Greavis"] (Showtime Elite ’23), and [player_tooltip player_id="1130807" first="Devin" last="Myers"] (Team Fifa) had solid weekends for their respective teams. 6’9" forward [player_tooltip player_id="1211097" first="Amare" last="Anderson"] of Showtime Elite ’22 had a stellar game against the Kessel Heat with six blocks. In short, the players from Louisiana who participated in The Platform had a good experience in front of coaches from all over the United States. Hopefully their good fortune will continue in the various other live events in which they participate.

The Platform was a live period showcase of some of the best high school talent in the nation. During the event, players from the eleven Louisiana teams were some of the best performers of the weekend. In this Prep Hoops Louisiana article, we will review some of the players from the Boot who played well during the live period in Birmingham.

Kyran Ratliff (6’8" / F / LivOn Fleur-de-Lis 17U)

Ratliff lived at the rim during play on the showcase courts at The Platform. He scored often from penetration from the guards and finished with dunks or layups. Ratliff used his athleticism to man the paint causing a lot of misses at the rim. He was either deflecting post entries or blocking shots near the basket and in the mid-range. For being the main offensive and defensive post presence, Ratliff performed well.

Corey Chest Corey Chest 6'7" | SF Hickman | 2023 #94 Nation MO (6’8" / F / LivOn Fleur-de-Lis 16U)

One of the most atheltically gifted players in Louisiana got a chance to show his gifts during The Platform. Chest is a long and lean player who finishes above the rim with flair and power. He is excellent in transition as well. Whether it is running the floor and receiving a pass for the finish or shooting the gap to complete a breakaway himself, Chest is always making a play. He rebounds the ball extremely well and is an above average finisher at the rim. Chest displayed an array of talent that will have coaches knocking at his door very soon.

Donavan Seamster Donavan Seamster 6'2" | SG Woodlawn | 2022 State LA (6’2" / SG / O.W.E.)

Seamster was one of the hottest (if not the hottest) shooters over the three days of play in Birmingham. He had multiple games of making five of more threes and was a danger from anywhere inside of halfcourt. Seamster even showed off an improved handle which gave him room to let it fly. The volume of triples he made over the weekend and the distance from whence he shot them definitely peaked the interest of coaches who attended his games.

Jordan Crawford Jordan Crawford 6'2" | CG Simsboro | 2022 State LA (6’2" / CG / O.W.E.)

Coaches in Birmingham may have seen the dawning of Crawford as a point guard during The Platform. Executing the high pick-and-roll with his big men, Crawford displayed the ability to attack the rim against longer and taller defenders as well as the ability to probe the lane and find shooters. Defensively he was able to switch onto guards and wings with no issue and not be overwhelmed. Crawford also had a couple of impressive blocks where he chased down drives to deter layups. While he has always been a good defender, Crawford’s maturation at the point is what will interest coaches the most.

Fred Payne Fred Payne 6'2" | PG Legacy School of Sport Science | 2023 State TX (6’1" / CG / LivOn Fleur-de-Lis 16U)

The former Lincoln Prep and Sunrise Christian guard was at the top of his game during his time in Birmingham displaying his whole bag during 16U play. One game Payne played the off guard primarily and was hot from behind the arc. The next game when a team decided to zone them, he played facilitator in the middle of the zone dropping dimes. Payne played point on and off as well showing that he can run an offense. Fred Payne Fred Payne 6'2" | PG Legacy School of Sport Science | 2023 State TX is a high IQ player who can fill multiple roles on a team. That is exactly what he did in Birmingham.

Marquailon Mitchell (6’4" / CG / Hustle Hard 2022)

Mitchell has some stretches during the weekend where he dominated play on the floor. He is a player who has the freedom rebound and push the ball up the floor. There were times when Mitchell did that, teams could not stop him from scoring. Mitchell has long arms, can defend multiple positions, and can take guards and bigs off the dribble. His skill set is an attractive one to say the least.

Donald Butler Donald Butler 6'5" | SF Walker | 2022 State LA (6’5" / F / Showtime Elite 2022)

Butler may have had one of the most exciting plays of the weekend when he caught a Kessel Heat defender on a late rotation during a broken play and dunked on him. However, that is what Butler does. He spent the weekend making plays. Butler had a couple of chase down blocks, he nailed timely mid-range jumpers and making hustle plays when needed. He is an active wing around the rim with a ton of athleticism which should spark interest on several college levels.

Lance Waddles Lance Waddles 6'3" | CG Victory Rock Prep | 2022 State LA (6’3" / CG / O.W.E.)

Waddles was another O.W.E. guard that was red hot from behind the three point line. During their last game at The Platform, Waddles went six for six from three ending with 20-plus points. Not only did Waddles shoot it well, he looked really comfortable driving to the cup. He has gotten stronger and finished layups amidst contact from quality bigs on the opposing team. His shooting prowess and willingness to attack the rim makes him a viable option to play at various four year schools on the next level.

Micah Willis (6’2" / CG / Hustle Hard 2022)

Willis was an addition to the Hustle Hard family for The Platform and needless to say he made his mark while he was there. During the weekend, he was one of the best at getting into the lane and scoring the rock or getting fouled. Willis saved one of his best drives for the end of their contest with East Coast United as he drove the right side of the lane and kissed a layup off the glass. He has a strong upper body and can handle the rock well. That combination is good for a guard who likes to penetrate and score like Willis can.

Other players such as Alexzaye Johnson Alexzaye Johnson 6'4" | PG St. Benedict’s | 2023 State NJ (LivOn 17U), Lawrence Forcell Lawrence Forcell 5'7" | PG Donaldsonville | 2022 State LA (Showtime Elite ’22), Connor Greavis Connor Greavis 5'11" | PG Livonia | 2023 State LA (Showtime Elite ’23), and Devin Myers Devin Myers 5'10" | SG Leavenworth | 2022 KS (Team Fifa) had solid weekends for their respective teams. 6’9" forward Amare Anderson Amare Anderson 6'9" | PF Moravian Prep | 2022 State LA of Showtime Elite ’22 had a stellar game against the Kessel Heat with six blocks. In short, the players from Louisiana who participated in The Platform had a good experience in front of coaches from all over the United States. Hopefully their good fortune will continue in the various other live events in which they participate.