The Platform: Steve's Sunday Stars

Here are my standouts from Sunday's games on the Platform.   Landon Ray Midwest Bobcats 2028   Ray is a 6'5” highly skilled forward.  Watching him play the first 3 minutes he displayed some Nick Martinelli footwork in the post. Ray's shot fake into a step-through got players off their feet many times. Landon uses his wingspan on defense for deflecting passes and blocking shots. He did get into some foul trouble going for cheap steals and sat on the bench awhile, but was still the leading scorer of the game. Ray led everyone with 17 points doing most of the damage in the first half.   [player_tooltip player_id='2194657' first='Josiah' last='Hall'] Geek Squad 2028   Hall played with much better energy today. He was much better at attacking off the bounce and not relying on his jump shot as much. Josiah is a thick guard with size at 6'2” who can move with the rock and make a play for himself and others around him. His IQ of the game is still improving, but some of the plays he made were reminiscent of a high school senior.    [player_tooltip player_id='2323261' first='Pablo' last='Rodriguez'] SBT 2026    The 6'9 big man from Little Village went crazy in the morning game. He scored 35 points in the win. Pablo is a face-up big who likes to patrol on the perimeter. He hit 5 threes, which got his engine going. When a slower defender is on him, he drives to the basket for easier layups. Pablo is a very skilled forward who could be a steal for a school next season.   Cortez James Chicago Cannons 2028    I was impressed with how Cortez approached the game. He's a crafty guard who likes to attack the basket with his handles. Many times he lured the defender down with a slow pace and then hit him with a move every time. James also plays off two feet in the paint, giving him the right balance to make shots and get to the foul line.    Keyhon Minor Junior Raptors 2028    Minor is a physically imposing forward who had his way on the glass and in the post. There wasn't much the opposing team could do once the ball came off the rim or glass he was there every time.  When it was an offensive board he just went through contact and finished the putback. Keyhon scored with jump hooks and drop steps out of the post. It was refreshing to watch a throwback post player around the basket and not floating on the three-point line.     Noah Livingston FVV 2028   Noah is a 6'3 lanky guard who has scored from all three levels. He did everything at a steady pace. What caught my eye was how Livingston does a good job of adjusting in mid-air to finish his layups. He is very poised for an up-and-coming prospect. He scored 23 points in the evening games against Wisconsin PHD.   [player_tooltip player_id='2868678' first='Romello' last='Crayton'] [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 2030   Ultra ultra-quick guard had a slow start in the 13U Championship game between [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] and [program_tooltip program_id='2830289' first='Vikings' last='United']. He was held to 4 points in the first half before busting out of a slump and scoring 13 points mostly all transition layups. His speed with the ball was too much for the Vikings to endure. Melo led all scorers with 17 points    Jalonny Billingsley Drako Elite 2029    One of the top incoming freshmen in the Chicagoland suited up this weekend with an up-and-coming independent program Drako Elite. He set the tone early with two explosive dunks down the middle of the lane. He's a legit 6'5 athlete who will be a problem for everyone in the state. Jalonny is an energy player who would also catch a tip dunk after one of his teammates missed a layup and send the gym into a frenzy. Most of his points were momentum changers in the final game of the night versus the Mongolian Talent Academy. Billingsley finished with 14 points and a handful of rebounds.    [player_tooltip player_id='2834320' first='Danny' last='Simon'] [player_tooltip player_id='2391665' first='Kessel' last='Heat'] 2027    6'7 passing big man who gets up and down the court very well. He scored well out of the post. One of the very few bigs who knows how to use his size and build to his advantage. Danny keeps the ball high and shows good patience when following up shots. He is a player to watch going into next season.    [player_tooltip player_id='2532005' first='Kai' last='Harvey'] Chicago Cannons 2028   Harvey is a slick guard that I watched early Sunday. He's playing up a level with 16U and that didn't seem to be an issue. He was consistent at getting to his spots. He had defenders on skates trying to figure out which way he would attack when slicing through the lane. Kai made shots from the middy when help-side defense decided to plug the lane. He finished the game in double figures before taking a seat with a lower leg injury.     Bryton Nostrant Real 2028   The 5'10 guard shot the ball well for a second consecutive day. Nostrant made 4 threes in a matchup against a tough IL Wolves team. Bryton is a catch-and-shoot guy on the perimeter.  He knows how to get open when playing off the ball. He is capable of making a play off the dribble but most of his opportunities to score came when the Wolves were in a defensive scramble.

Here are my standouts from Sunday's games on the Platform.