The Platform: 2027 And 2028 Small Forwards To Track

The Platform made its' way to the Chicagoland area this past weekend with Wintrust Sports Complex serving as one of the host sites for the event's upper age divisions. Teams from across the Midwest competed throughout the weekend showcasing some of the region's top talent. In this article, we'll take a closer look at a handful of small forward prospects who stood out during the action.    Gjolaj is a small forward that consistently runs the floor with purpose and solid pace. He can fill a prototypical 3 and D profile dependent upon program need. In the fast break phase during the team's early morning game on Sunday he finished at the cup while also displaying playmaking ability. In the ½ court or primary segments, Gjolaj delivered a couple quality assists which included one well timed drop off pass to his big. Rebounding wise, he also crashed the glass consistently and came away with 2 offensive rebounds and put backs to keep momentum in team's favor. Overall his consistent activity around the rim and willingness to make hustle plays stood out and will provide value.     The small forward from Watertown brings along a textbook frame at the wing spot for the next level where he should be able to fit into a swingman role or 3 and D type player. His game stuck out from the defensive side of the ball in the morning game on Sunday where he utilized his height and wingspan to challenge the opponents smaller 2 or 3 man. At 6'4 he provides toughness and solid lateral quickness. Offensively he still hit double figures in the scoring department but just as importantly shared the rock selflessly. His jab step is potently tough to stay in front of and when he draws an extra help man he makes great kick out reads to his guards to knock shots down. His feel and ability to affect the game in multiple avenues will continue to provide team advantages.     Jarvis brings a little bit of old school feel to the game. In the ½ court setting he uses his broader frame and strong lower body to get deep positioning on defenders. He has poised hands and feet on the catch for adequate footwork in mid has to block areas. His adequate handle and deceptively quicker feet per position equips him to fill a small forward's role. He will do most of his work on the interior but is comfortable spacing beyond the arc as well for opportunities. Jarvis can go off the bounce into his shot smoothly with a soft touch release. His disciplined and fundamental demeanor with a combination of strength and competitiveness provides a reliable presence.     Guilette makes an impact as a two-way small forward with his physicality and activity. In the early afternoon game on Sunday he battled on the glass and came away with multiple offensive rebounds in which a few were for second chance conversions. He has a knack to automatically crash on both sides of the ball and play bigger than size. Offensively Guilette will mostly work the interior but can spread the floor to shoot from 3 as well. He consistently attacked the rim to finish through contact, draw help to then make the necessary kick out, and had strong skip passes to the open man from inside to out. His communication on the defensive end was noticeable as well as his rim protection skills. The combination of production and willingness to finish plays deem him a tough competitor.     Brennan shows a settled and deceptively smooth game. I caught the 16U Lockdown team in the mid afternoon contest on Saturday and the small forward form Oak Lawn showed downhill finishing touch in traffic. He converted on a couple of and1s on strong drives, scored off a baseline attack, and finished another tough bucket with soft touch off the glass. His mentality to continue to get to the hole off the bounce utilizing his length impacted in team keeping game within reaching distance throughout.

The Platform made its' way to the Chicagoland area this past weekend with Wintrust Sports Complex serving as one of the host sites for the event's upper age divisions. Teams from across the Midwest competed throughout the weekend showcasing some of the region's top talent. In this article, we'll take a closer look at a handful of small forward prospects who stood out during the action.