“The Platform” held it’s final session in Virginia Beach last weekend, featuring some of the top AAU programs on the east coast. The event had teams ranging from sixth to eighth grade, and was a great preview to the AAU…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in“The Platform” held it’s final session in Virginia Beach last weekend, featuring some of the top AAU programs on the east coast. The event had teams ranging from sixth to eighth grade, and was a great preview to the AAU season and what teams will look like this spring.
There were so many standouts ranging from Virginia to Georgia and everywhere in between. There are still two more sessions, with one happening at U-Turn in Richmond on March 5 and 6, and one at the Virginia Beach Sportscenter April 15 and 16.
Here’s a look at part three of the standouts, looking at some of the top kids in “The 7”.
Brandon Woodard | New World 13U
Woodard was one of the biggest guys to step up for New World on the way to “The 7” championship with them missing a couple of key pieces, and he did a great job of doing a little bit of everything for his team. He’s a versatile player who can play multiple positions, he can make shots efficiently and make plays for others and he does all the little things to help his team.
Lonnie Lyons | New World 13U
Lyons was the straw that stirred the drink for New World, as the lead guard showed the ability to both make plays for himself and others off the bounce. He is lightning quick with a good first step and is very shifty off the bounce, he can make tough shots from deep and in the midrange and he touches the paint at will with good vision and passing ability. He can control the game without being selfish and he set the tone on both ends of the floor too.
Dwight Strickland | New World 13U
Strickland is the player on New World with the most upside as he has good size already at about 6’4” with a versatile skillset that includes the ability to play both on the perimeter and in the post. He’s a smooth athlete who can get up and down and finish in transition, he can make shots out to 18 feet and beyond and he can guard multiple positions as well. He has tremendous potential as he continues to grow into his body and will be a guy to keep an eye on in the DMV moving forward.
RJ Mickelberry | Rock It 13U
Mickelberry was one of the top shooters in “The 7” throughout The Platform’s three sessions, and he is far advanced for most shooters his age. He has an effortless shot from deep and already has range well beyond the high school line, he has a quick release and moves well off the ball and he has the ability to get hot and make multiple shots in a row. With the way he already shoots the ball and the fact that it will become even easier as he grows into his body heal be fun to watch as he gets older.
Mekhi Ragland | Team Loaded VA 13U
Ragland is going to be a fun player to continue to watch, as he already has a good frame and length that looks like he’s likely going to grow and he has an intriguing skillset to go along with it. He can run with guard and finish in transition, he can knock down shots from multiple levels and he impacts the game across the board. He was one of the top players in “The 7” throughout all of the sessions.
Wayne Santos | Team Loaded VA 13U
Santos was huge for Loaded in their run to championship before losing to Team Loaded, and he is a competitor if not more. He’s a strong guard who attacks downhill and finishes through contact, he can make plays for others and he can rebound and defend as well. He continually got better through each of the sessions and played his best basketball in The Finale.
