The Platform: Saturday 15/16 U Forward Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Platform was the first opportunity for players to get back with their grassroots programs in July to prepare for the two live periods in the upcoming weekends on the Prep Hoops Circuit. In this article I'll break down some 15 and 16 U forward standouts I caught on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1935197"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"I caught just one 15 U game on Saturday but it was a competitive contest and the battle on the inside was fun to watch. Lake is a bigger bodied forward who uses his size to his advantage. Skilled for his height and age, Lake was able to attack off the bounce and jump stop to create space to shoot at the rim. A good shooter from the outside, Lake nailed a 3-point shot and mid-range jumper in the lone game I caught. After scoring 6 PPG as a freshman, I expect that number to spike up for Lake as a Sophomore.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1708689"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Carruthers was on the other side of Lake and plays very oppositely, the two were a good contrast of styles. Carruthers is a big time athlete who can jump out the gym and uses his explosiveness and length to protect the rim. As a scorer, Carruthers would mostly work off second chance points in the paint. To cap off the victory, Carruthers threw down an alley oop slam dunk to seal the victory for his team. This is a name you'll hear more and more from the Toledo area over the next few years.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2052131"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Glenville always has athletes with size and Staley is the next in line. With impressive length and explosiveness, Staley has a lot of untapped athletic potential. With his long strides, Staley was able to run the floor in transition and his highlight play was a steal on a trap and coast to coast finish at the rim. Had a few blocks in the paint, Staley commanded the rim and even saved a ball from going out of bounds after a block. I'll be interested to see how Staley develops over the next couple years as he has a lot of tools to work with.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2052129"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"I've watched Ohio United a couple times in the spring, but Saturday was by far the most impressed I've been with Wolford. Playing his role well, Wolford ran the floor and got easy layups by simply being around the rim before the defense. Hitting a couple corner 3-pointers, that was the perimeter shot he took with the most confidence. His hustle was another factor that helped his team win two blowout contests against tough competition.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1503914"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"If there were player badges for high school players, Kielmeyer would have the charge card at the highest level it can go. A rare skill for a big of his age, Kielmeyer understands what drivers want to do with the ball and slides over to sacrifice his body and cause a turnover. Seems to have hit a growth spurt recently, Kielmeyer is now every bit of 6'6 and pushing 6'7. With his motor around the rim, Kielmeyer gets some easy buckets with his athleticism and size. I'm expecting a big year at Westerville South and his coaches certainly will love the charges he takes during the high school season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a0e695dbd44"} /-->