The Platform: 17U All Tournament Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The penultimate stop of the Midwest Prep Hoops Circuit commenced in the shadow of Midway Airport in Chicago this past weekend. The Platform was a competitive three day event that featured players from multiple states. <br><br>Following is the all tournament team from 17U division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">First Team </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2830800' first='Tony' last='Salemi'] 6-3 Wauconda (IL) </strong>I don't do MVP's of tournaments. Just too hard to catch everything. That being said, if I was forced to. Salemi would be an easy choice. Was outstanding all weekend for a CBG squad that went undefeated on the weekend. No other cliche to use. Simply did it all from the combo guard spot. Nailed threes, drove well, and finished with both hands at the rim. Showed plenty of bounce and had nice dunk in a game I watched. Played point when needed and did it well. That positional versatility and athletic upside could make this young man a sleeper at the next level. As an out of state scout, I know next to nothing about Wauconda. I do remember a player named Matt Mooney (Texas Tech) who played for a national championship from that locale. I also remember him having to go to two smaller D1's before he got to Tech. I'm not saying this is a young is Matt Mooney. But I'm going inch up to that point. If Salemi keeps putting in the work and finds the right spot, he could pop at the next level. He put a lot of game on display this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2323261' first='Pablo' last='Rodriguez'] <strong>6-9 Little Village (IL) </strong>While Salemi was hands down the best performer. Identifying the best long term prospect wasn't overly difficult either. If you were to create in a lab the prototype for a modern pick and pop stretch four. It would look like Rodriguez. Has a smooth and effortless release from beyond the arc. It would look good on small guard. On a lengthy 6-9 prospect it looks even better. With a high left handed release point the shot is hard to block. Was more than just a shooter though. Fluid athlete who ran the court well. Finished at the rim authority with plenty of dunks. Hard nosed competitor who brought it all weekend. Put up 35 points in a 8 AM Sunday contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2410383' first='Brayden' last='Favors'] 6-4 Niles (MI) </strong>Favors got off to rough start on Friday evening. Warmed up as the week continued and saved his best for last. Put up 33 points in overtime loss in the Team Soil Sunday finale. Game was sent into OT on clutch baseline floater. Accordingly wasn't afraid of the moment. Had a strong drive to win it in the extra frame that he might have gotten fouled on. Versatile player who scores is so many different ways. Rises easily over most defenders on the perimeter with his size and elevation. If he gets a little mouse in the house. Can put his butt into defender and bully him down into the paint. Looks to be lined up for a big senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2410807' first='Davion' last='Jackson'] 6-2 Arsenal Tech (IN) </strong>Long and springy two guard led Team Elevate to an 3-1 record. Had the shot of the weekend to defeat a solid Michigan Jayhawks team. Rose up for a game winning dagger three as time expired. Length helps him play taller than 6-2. Got his hands into passing lanes often and was a factor on the defensive end. Might not have been his team's leading scorer. But every time I watched, he just made winning plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617411' first='Kaleb' last='Istvanik']</strong> <strong>6-3 Wheaton Academy (IL) </strong>I've identified the best performer from the field. I've identified the best long term prospect. This might have been the best shooter. Istvanik had a strong weekend for [program_tooltip program_id='2075524' first='IBA' last='Illinois Stars']. Had 31 point performance where he was lights out from beyond the arc. Doesn't shoot from a very high release point, but has no problem getting it off. Gets open often by being in constant motion off the ball. Comes off of screens well and catches the ball in the shooting motion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Second Team </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span><b>[player_tooltip player_id='2875733' first='Osman' last='Khan']</b></span><strong> 6-5 Niles North (IL) </strong>Versatile prospect who strong weekend for a [player_tooltip player_id='2391665' first='Kessel' last='Heat'] squad that went 3-1 on the weekend. Went toe-to-toe with [player_tooltip player_id='2410383' first='Brayden' last='Favors'] (see above) in one of the better games I saw on the weekend. He came out on the winning end, finishing with 20 points. Also played well in a Saturday night victory over Michigan's REAL Select squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DJ Hennings 5-10 Wauwatosa West (WI) </strong>Jet quick and shifty point guard led APB Athletics to an undefeated weekend. Used his quickness to be a factor on both ends of the court. Attacked the basket without fear despite not being very big. Not just a quick athlete defensively. Is good enough ball handler to keep his speed with the ball in his hands. Should be part of strong backcourt with fellow ABP teammate <strong>Messiah Chambers </strong>as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2875759' first='Mustaf' last='Rexhepi'] 6-4 Niles North (IL) </strong>An old school post with some new school tendencies. Has a bulky frame that he is not afraid to throw around on the block. The frame also allows him to set strong picks that his teammates used to get open. Isn't just a bully ball prospect. Is skilled and has range thar stretched out beyond arc. Is also a good passer out of the high post and can initiate offense. Put up 14 points in the aforementioned overtime victory to close out the weekend. Should form a nice duo at Niles North next year with [player_tooltip player_id='2875733' first='Osman' last='Khan'] (see above)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jamarion Martin 6-0 North Division (WI) </strong>As I wrote yesterday about another player. I don't generally write about post grad players playing this deep into the grassroots season. However that stance is starting to change due to the new NIL/portal climate. There are still plenty of good players looking for opportunities. Here is one of them. Martin played with an extreme level of bounce for a 6-0 guard. Lived above the rim and was electric in transition. Had his portion of the gym buzzing a few times with his emphatic finishes. Put up 18 points in a victory over a good [program_tooltip program_id='2075524' first='IBA' last='Illinois Stars'] (see above) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chris Jaimes 6-6 Grayslake (IL) </strong>Another post grad player who performed too well to ignore. CBG's dominant weekend deserves more than one placement. Held it down on the block while [player_tooltip player_id='2830800' first='Tony' last='Salemi'] was doing his thing out the perimeter. Played very well against [player_tooltip player_id='2323261' first='Pablo' last='Rodriguez'] who might have been the prospect in the field. Showed the length and lateral quickness to be a factor defensively. Also showed a confident stroke from beyond the arc. Like Martin above, a 2025 prospect who just needs a coach to take a chance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->