The Platform: Michigan Shows Out

Due to it's Windy City locale, The Platform had a decided Chicago and Southern Wisconsin flavor. Despite that, a small but talented contingent of Michigan teams showed up and showed out in the three day event. Following is an eight pack of prospects that caught my eye.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2027 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='3663253' first='David' last='Jones'] 6-7 Birmingham Groves (pictured) I don't normally do this... but look at the image above. As you can clearly see, Jones is an imposing post prospect with thick upper body and broad shoulders. Much more than just an intimidating bruiser though. Good athlete who ran the court like a smaller wing. Gets off the ground quickly and with force. Had an impressive dunk in transition. Showed a soft touch on his shot with range that extended out to nearly the three point line. I really liked him last year at the Run N Slam playing with the [program_tooltip program_id='2078459' first='Michigan' last='Playmakers']. Then he kind of fell off my radar in the past year (that's a me problem) It was nice to see his development with new squad this weekend. Put 20 points in his closing game of the weekend. As an ode to his old school post game. Did it exclusively with two-point field goals.   [player_tooltip player_id='2846448' first='Eugene' last='North Jr.'] 6-3 West Bloomfield North must like the Wintrust Sports Complex. Played well here in the spring. Continued to play well in leading Oakland County Rise to an undefeated weekend. Has a pretty complete scoring package. Good from beyond the arc with a fundamentally sound shot and deep range. Hit four threes in his final game of the weekend. Gets to his spots easily on the perimeter with a firm ball handling skillset. Has no problem getting into the mid range when the three point shot was taken away. Above average athleticism helped him put pressure on the rim. Posted an easy 18 points in an opening Saturday night victory and didn't really let up all weekend. He did sustain an injury that knocked him out the final game. Hopefully it's not serious as he looks to be lined up for a big senior year.   [player_tooltip player_id='2539856' first='Carter' last='Hartfield'] 5-9 Bloomfield Hills A team doesn't go 4-0 on the weekend without good point play. Hartfield provided that all weekend for Oakland County Rise. Hartfield played well in pick and roll situations. Often finding teammates off a live dribble pass. Isn't the tallest prospect but makes up for it in a few ways. First and foremost is his physical frame. Is built like a tank and isn't going to get pushed off his spot. Has good acceleration and gets to basket at will. Is also a fierce competitor who doesn't take a possession off. Good look ahead passer who was always pushing the pace. Should form a dynamic two point guard look with fellow 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2687840' first='Carter' last='Canfield'] for Bloomfield Hills next season.   [player_tooltip player_id='3575706' first='Landon' last='Johnson'] 6-4 Monroe Playing with Ohio based Hopson Elite. Johnson impressed in a closing clutch victory over Chicago area 88 West. Showed the ability to play both on the block and out on the perimeter. Good shooter from three with a confident and quick release. Was not afraid of contact on the block defensively. Accordingly set punishing screens and mixed it up down low. Scored 12 much needed points in a nip and tuck closing victory. Made of handful intangible winning plays that do not show up on a stat sheet.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2028 </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='3276214' first='Elias' last='Losey'] 6-0 Brooklyn Columbia Central From the shadows of Michigan's lone NASCAR track comes this speedy guard. That intro is cross sport attempt to draw in the reader. It's not completely accurate. Because while Losey does not lack speed. Has a stocky build that makes him the rare power point guard. Has the tight handle of a point guard and that will probably be his long-term position. However, he did not necessarily play that position this weekend (see below) and he was wired to score. Got into the mid range often and scored with a high arching jump shot. Put up 21 points in a Saturday win against Chicago Lockdown-Miller. A completely new name for me, but certainly on my radar as the 2028 class continues to take shape.   [player_tooltip player_id='2801068' first='Max' last='Ryan Heldt'] 6-0 Adrian Losey didn't have to run as much point due to the steady hand of this player. The first thing that catches your eye is positional size. Most point guards with Heldt's surgical skillset usually are 5-9 to 5-10 water bug types. Heldt has the size to see easily see over most defenders. Balances scoring and playmaking opportunities like a veteran. Deep range on the perimeter is the key part of the equation. Not a blur with the ball. However, has the speed to get past defender trying to run him off the three point line. The deep range forces them to do so. Has a smooth and effortless release from beyond the three point line. Good drop off passer on penetration and that appears to be his first option. Like Losey (see above) another new name to monitor in the 2028 class.   [player_tooltip player_id='2802855' first='Zion' last='Thurman'] 6-4 Adrian Thurman was essentially a one man band down low for a talented but smaller Michigan Jayhawks squad (see above) Highly athletic with a projectable frame. Light on his feet with excellent lateral quickness. Has the athleticism and elevation to finish above the rim with ease. Did not mind nor did he shy away from contact. Fouled out of a Saturday night game. However as a one man post front. I don't view that as a bad thing. Expanding his game out to the perimeter is the next step in his development. Should form a nice inside/out duo with Heldt for the Maples in the next two years.   [player_tooltip player_id='3670868' first='Julien' last='Harden'] 6-2 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep Harden played well for Oakland County Rise. If you been following along from the beginning this means Harden was playing up an age division. With a very slender frame, looks like he is playing up an age division. Despite the frame was most effective playing near the rim. Gets off the ground quickly and plays with wiry strength that helped him finish through contact. Good ball handler when he had the opportunity. The frame will eventually fill out more fully. When it does this Detroit area guard could be a late rising prospect.

Due to it's Windy City locale, The Platform had a decided Chicago and Southern Wisconsin flavor. Despite that, a small but talented contingent of Michigan teams showed up and showed out in the three day event. Following is an eight pack of prospects that caught my eye.