The Platform: 5 observations
The Platform Showcase was a good event for some of the top high school prospects from Memphis and the surrounding areas to show whether or not they have used the offseason properly to work on their weaknesses.
The showcase also brought out high school prospects who are looking to have a special year after having to sit out a season ago due to the coronavirus pandemic, so it was a positive and a must for players to attend.
Let’s take a look at five prospects who have made progress.
Jaye Nash, Briarcrest: The sophomore point guard has the makeup of a high-major point guard. Nash plays solid-on ball defense, knows how to make the right reads, and can easily break a press, thanks to his sharp ball handles. After his freshman season, my assessment of Nash was that he was missing a consistent jump shot. On Saturday, he made shots from 17-feet out. Hopefully, it carries over into the 2021 season. If it does, Nash will be the complete point guard college programs are picturing him to be.
E.J. Smith, Memphis East: The 6-foot-2 point guard has turned the corner, as he used the pandemic season to transform his body and work on his craft. When I first saw Smith as a freshman at Arlington, it was obvious that he could score from the perimeter. On Saturday, I just wanted to see balance. Smith attacked the basket, made solid passes out of pick-and-roll situations and deflected passes on the defensive end. The junior is turning the corner at the right time of his high school basketball career.
Jamarion Harvey, Memphis East: I always liked Harvey as a legit scorer, but he’s even better as a defender. On Saturday, Harvey earned the name “sticky fingers” because he knows how to get his hands on the basketball without committing a foul. Harvey doesn’t give up a lot of breathing room. He likes to make it hard on the offensive player to score. Harvey is a grimy defender.
D.J. Richmond, Harding Academy: The senior point guard really helped the Lions last season. I needed to see if he has taken the next step, in terms of his body and patience. On Saturday, Richmond looks like a polished prospect. He has added muscle, and on the hardwood floor, Richmond’s patience has improved. There were times last season where he forced a shot or a pass. A year later, Richmond is being more cautious and patient on offense, reading the defense and communicating with his teammates. He seems to be in position for another solid season at Harding Academy.
Jordan Frison, Overton: Frison is known for his shooting ability. That was well-known when he first arrived as a freshman. But, can he provide balance to the Wolverines’ offense? Well, he threw lobs to junior point guard Josh Holloway in one of the scrimmages on Saturday. Frison made some baskets as well. It was only a small sample size, but Frison showed that he doesn’t have to lead his team in scoring to be effective.
New faces
Saturday marked the first time I was able to see Power Center Academy’s sophomore wing Nazir Allen and junior forward Cordarious Sledge. Allen is a long 6-6 guard/forward that could possibly play positions 2-4 at the next level. He can be disruptive on the defensive end, thanks to his lengthy arms. Offensively, he can play inside-out. Allen can put the basketball on the floor and make shots from the perimeter. His ceiling can be very high.
Sledge is a bulldog. He makes his presence felt on offense when he’s driving into the lane, thanks to his athletic frame. Sledge isn’t afraid of contact, so he’s willing to bang in the paint and go for the rebound and loose ball. Right outside the free throw line seems to be where he likes to make shots. Being efficient there will make him a tough guard.