The Platform: Championship Sunday's Playmakers

Sunday marked the third and final day of play on Prep Hoops Circuit The Platform in Chicago. We had the opportunity to take in action from the classes of 2029 and 2027. I was courtside for a handful of games including a 14U semi final competition and a couple undefeated teams matching up against one another in the 16U division. There were some great highlights to cap off an eventful weekend right next to Midway Airport in Bedford Park, IL. Lets go ahead and breakdown a half a dozen players who shined on Championship Sunday.    After a slower start in the early morning semi-final matchup, he led the team to pickup the pace of the game. Gained defensive traction and an edge in the back court to make offensive speed up too quickly along with another guard. Created turnovers with quick anticipation reads. Got to the rim consistently using speed to gain advantage. Sees the floor well and has main handling responsibilities at times. Helped ultimately put game away to get to championship and close out a 4-0 weekend.     Broad and strong frame that worked hard in the paint on both sides of the ball. Went up against more size in 1st game of day Sunday and had no problems taking on that challenge. Fought and gained for his positioning defensively down low. Plays physical yet content with where strengths are. Constantly ran rim to rim yet continued to work with only a 6 man team through whole weekend. Stretched the defense out at times knocking down a few 3's. Gutted out a close 2 point win and helped team to respectable 2-2 weekend.     Second time I saw him play in as many days. The off guard has a motor and will to compete. Defends actively in the full court press setting and traps efficiently. Causes offense to speed up while anticipating passes. Finishes high at the rim. Gets to the rack consistently and finds success. Works efficiently in fast break action. Bought team back today when down by nearly 20 with 5 minutes left to close within a 2-possession game. Finished with game high 20 in a one of the 16U championships and led team to 3-1 finish.     Strong and tough inside post presence. Saw compete second time today from this weekend and was consistent in both games. Plays with a confident hardnosed demeanor. Can match up well against longer or taller bodies using smart physicality down low. Runs the floor at a good pace keeping up with guard play. Continued to make challenging finishes in the thick of the defense at a high rate. Finished with 12 today to help team secure a 4-0 overall weekend.     Fluid and mobile at the top or on the wing spot of 1-2-2 half court trap setting. Caused a lot of havoc in the back court and frustrated guard play. Used length effectively to pick off passes and turn D into fast break points. Likes to run in the transition game and finds open spaces to work within. Teams up well together with other quick guard and high energy big man. One of main reasons team went 4-0 on weekend and had 18 total to finish final game of day.     Viable go to option at the 2 or 3 spots. Showed athleticism with poise finishing at the rim. Made over a handful of tough takes off the bounce in the thick of the defense. Used length to advantage on both ends. Gets up pretty good at the bucket. Mobile off the ball. Made a few hard cuts and flashes to open spaces and then scoring. Finished with a team high 18 to end the weekend on a high note and helped squad go 4-0 on the weekend.

Sunday marked the third and final day of play on Prep Hoops Circuit The Platform in Chicago. We had the opportunity to take in action from the classes of 2029 and 2027. I was courtside for a handful of games including a 14U semi final competition and a couple undefeated teams matching up against one another in the 16U division. There were some great highlights to cap off an eventful weekend right next to Midway Airport in Bedford Park, IL. Lets go ahead and breakdown a half a dozen players who shined on Championship Sunday.