Saturday Standouts From The Platform

The second day of The Platform took place on Saturday which featured teams in the 15U, 16U, and 17U divisions from Bedford Park, IL. I was in attendance all day taking in games from each age level. In today's breakdown, we'll review a half dozen players' games that stood out.    I caught The [program_tooltip program_id='2078376' first='Illinois' last='Attack'] 17U team compete in the earliest start time of the day this morning. Jeff takes a hold of primary point guard responsibilities and uses his athleticism and feel to impact the game in a variety of ways. He finished through traffic and consistently got the defense to collapse to make necessary reads. His selfless mentality to share the rock helped put a handful of guys get at or near the double digit scoring marker. On the breakaway during 1 possession he got loose and nearly threw down a 1 handed dunk. He also possesses some craftiness to his game with a quick first step. His IQ and ability to be a connective passer deems his a true pass first point guard with scoring capabilities.     Thomas showed an efficient scoring package by knocking down multiple treys at an efficient clip in the team's early morning game on Saturday. He's balanced and even keeled to attack off the bounce while facilitating as well. In the 1/2 court setting he got downhill once in the lane to finish a runner as well as made a jab step and then finish in traffic. Him and another back court guard for [program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] 2029 group play tandemly well together as connective passers and floor facilitators. Thomas demonstrates confidence on his shot and consistently spaced the floor without forcing action and letting the game come to him.     Rader has advanced IQ for the game at his age. His ability to recognize what was working and not working was evident in the early morning game this morning. If his shot wasn't falling which it rarely is not, he was going off the bounce quickly and hitting angles hard to get paint touches with the rock and then creating off of dribble drive action. His handle is foundationally disciplined while continuing to create separation after changing speeds. Rader finishes fast at the rim whether in transition or during 1/2 court segments which makes defenses stay on their heels. Defensively he applies strong on-ball pressure and consistently helped speed pace up off of turnovers or misses. His communication and leadership skills he brings to the floor gives a team more advantages on both sides of the ball.     Morris makes his presence felt on both ends of the ball with a high and active two-way motor. He helps turn defense into offense consistently while moving his feet laterally on the ball or anticipating one pass away. His natural instincts to play hard gives him an advantage on this end of the floor. For size he adds value in the rebounding department as well. In the break phase, Morris will push for transition buckets and help speed up the game. Scoring wise he brings a nice package to the table. During today's contest he had a cool spin move into his jumper from 8 feet, multiple finishes at the rim, and can space out for threes. His energy and activity will help a team make winning plays.     Gast is an athletic small forward that fits into a swing man 3 and D prospect with true size for position. He impacts the game with his activity and versatility on both sides of the floor. Defensively he helps on the interior with his length and is also able to guard the perimeter on smaller guards while not getting beat off dribble drive action. On the offensive end Gast will crash the glass consistently and come away with multiple offensive rebounds for second chance opportunities. He moves intentionally without the ball and shows solid vision from the forward spot while handling. Overall his motor and ability to contribute in multiple phases stood out throughout the early afternoon game today.     Davis showed a polished game in the team's early evening contest on Saturday. He can score it from all 3 levels and was the main contributor on his team as a 2028 playing up in the 17U division. His shot making ability from beyond the arc was rhythmic and pure as he knocked down 3 of those within offensive flow with 1 being to beat the buzzer before halftime. Davis is comfortable going off the bounce to the cup as well. He turned defense into offense a couple of times for transition buckets and also played through contact while converting on 2 tough And 1's in heavy traffic. His intangibles to find enthusiasm for others is evident from the bench or on the floor as his team first mentality shows through his game in a selfless manner.

The second day of The Platform took place on Saturday which featured teams in the 15U, 16U, and 17U divisions from Bedford Park, IL. I was in attendance all day taking in games from each age level. In today's breakdown, we'll review a half dozen players' games that stood out.