The Platform: Sunday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Platform was the first opportunity for players to compete with their grassroots teams in July after spending June with their high school programs. In this article I'll break down my standouts I saw on Sunday at the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2054741"],"_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":"Elite Mentality 16 U was the story of the day and this won't be the last you hear of a player from this team. Lewis was a shot making guard who hit 3-pointers when left alone, on the spot-up in the corner and one dribble pull-up jumpers. An athletic guard, Lewis was quick and got a steal that turned into a slam dunk that got his team pumped up. Lots of talented players on Elite Mentality 16 U and Lewis was one who stood out the most.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2054732"],"_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":"Intriguing forward prospect who jumped passing lanes with his wingspan and looked to get out in transition. Showing some shooting potential with a confidence and smooth release, Riep hit shots from the corner and the free throw line. I thought Riep rebounded the ball well at both ends of the court and showed some ball handling flashes in transition. Really like his long-term upside as a 3 and D forward at the small college level. Has a lot of physical tools to keep improving with and should be productive in the ultra-competitive GMC this winter.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1617820"],"_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":"At the start of this game, Kazanecki was coming out firing. With 10 early points, it looked like Kazanecki might shoot the lights out to keep his team tight. Early pair of 3-pointers and a tough take to the basket followed by a mid-range jumper and the full package of Kazanecki's scoring ability had been shown in just a few minutes. As the primary offensive creator for his team, Kazanecki started to get hounded by the defense with ball pressure and help-side activity. He started to slow down his scoring with that added pressure and made a couple impressive passes to open teammates but didn't find the same rhythm. Kazanecki made a couple nice pivots to free up space to shoot, but playing through contact is another area of improvement. I'm sky high on Kazanecki's potential and he's already a very impactful player, just nitpicking one of the most talented prospects at the entire event.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1187974"],"_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":"Pittsburgh Pioneer Elite came to Ohio and made a statement with some impressive performances. Davis especially caught my eye with some leak out transition points for his team, being smart about getting behind the defense and hitting easy layups after throw ahead passes from his teammates. Crashing the offensive glass, Davis hit the boards hard and got his team second chance opportunities. Also thought he made a couple nice cuts off the ball to score at the rim. Finally, Davis flashed his outside shooting ability with a time and space 3-pointer.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2054744"],"_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":"For most of the first half, Ohio Primetime went toe to toe with Pittsburgh Pioneer Elite and it was mostly due to the hot shooting of Mattes. He was unconscious early, knocking down everything he threw up at the rim. Gaining confidence after every make, Mattes showed more ability to put the ball on the floor as the game went on. An undersized guard, Mattes had to live on the perimeter. After scoring 9.8 PPG as a Junior, expect Mattes to average much more as a senior at Clermont Northeastern.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a378d8727f2"} /-->