The Platform: Opening Night Playmakers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The opening day of The Platform took place tonight in the Chicago Land area. It is the 2026 Prep Hoops Circuit last stop in the Prairie State. I was in Bedford Park taking in action for some team's first games of the weekend. Here we will take a look at a handful of playmakers who made statements on opening day. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3636506"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3691940,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a51d62e82866"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Waddell is the main ball handler for the Midwest Bobcats 17U team and does a nice job all around of facilitating while maintaining a disciplined handle. He showed a balanced playmaking game throughout the team's first contest tonight. The lefty knocked down multiple catch and shoot threes while remaining poised and confident against tough defensive pressure. Waddell delivered assists out of ball screens, dribble hand offs, drive and kick reads, and even a crafty behind the back feed. His ability to still find openings under tight gaps was impressive. He continuously pushed for pace off of fast break opportunities as well. Overall his feel for the game, decision making, and ability to orchestrate offense made him a reliable lead guard and helped team win in a big way on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2853766"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3691943,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a51d62e82929"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 2 man from Pure Hoops got his hands on a lot of passes tonight in the team's overwhelming wide margin victory. He anticipated the passing lanes at a high rate to either come up with steals in the lane or at least get tips to help create havoc. Giudice then converted these turnovers into fast-break opportunities which helped drive quick offensive possessions for scores. In the ½ court setting, he moves well without the ball and dove down the lane for a retrieval and score while also having a backdoor to convert. His motor is what stood out and will create advantages vs opponents as he consistently impacted both ends with hustle and instinct.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2612097"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a51d62e829f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I saw Bonilha compete earlier this Spring at the very beginning of April and he showed quite the motor that weekend with his DFTP squad. Tonight during the opening day of The Platform it was no different for the 6'3 small forward. His blend of length, physicality, and competitiveness creates a lot of opportunities for himself and others. The way he attacks off the bounce with confidence in the transition phase or in the ½ court setting provides a challenge for defenses to try and guard. Bonilha's work around the glass game is quite evident and he'll repeatedly secure rebounds at a high point on both sides. His high intense activity with toughness will provide a lot of productive two-way activity. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3691941,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3691942,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a51d62e828d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mcneill fills the wing as an off guard and provided a lot of offense in team's first game of the evening today. He stretched the defense out for multiple catch and shoot threes including one from well beyond the arc. I tallied him for 4 total at a high clip. His ability to go off the dribble into his shot looked comfortable. On the defensive side he attacked closeouts with purpose and also dug well one pass away on penetration action. He protected the rim a couple times as well with clean blocks. His movement without the ball offensively was great to see as he will screen, cut, and get to open areas of the floor to help re-arrange defenses. Overall Mcneill proves as an impactful two-way 2 guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2853757"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3691944,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a51d62e829ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cosme showcased more of his deep shooting range tonight in his teams' first game of the weekend. He knocked down 4 3's within rhythm in which 2 were from way off the arc in NBA range territory all within the first half. His complimentary driving ability resulted in an and1 finish and other penetration drives to get paint touches and then kick the ball out to the open man. Despite size Cosme remains patient and confident on the catch to see the floor and take what the defense gives. Defensively he also came away with a couple of steals while staying active on the ball. Cosme's combination of floor spacing, offensive production, and two way impact helps drive efficient production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->