#3SSB Championships: Midwest Standouts Part 1

Richard Stockton

July 18, 2021 @ 07:00 PM

The adidas 3SSB Championships were the first major shot circuit event for the city of Omaha, and it did not disappoint. The talent was elite, the crowd showed out, and the competitiveness in each game was palpable. Here are the some of the best performances from Midwest prospects over the weekend: [player_tooltip player_id="1157231" first="Cooper" last="Koch"] | 6’7" SF | Indiana Elite 15U The 2024 big has one high major offer already from Iowa, and in my first glimpse at Koch, it’s clear why his name is already drawing attention. He showcased great mobility inside the arc. He can manuever his body through traffic with well-timed duck ins, and has the strength to hold off his man and offer a big target for the entry. The touch around the rim was evident, and he showed off some impressive passing ability from the high post. Mason Jones | 6’3" PG | Team Rose 17U Jones proved to be one of the tougher guards in Omaha this weekend. He used his strong frame to finish right through contact regardless of a height disadvantage. He followed plays at the rim and flew in for several putbacks over unsuspecting bigs. Watching him up close, his court vision was obvious. I remember one play in particular where a teammate of his was slowly cutting from the corner to the rim. Jones saw him out of the corner of his eye, but did not give it away. He waited until the precise moment where he could fit it through traffic, and he fired a live-dribble pass through the lane perfectly to his teammate for the bucket. [player_tooltip player_id="682266" first="Josh" last="Dix"] | 6’5" SG | OSA Crusaders 17U The Abraham Lincoln sharpshooter faced some overwhelming defenses this weekend. Opponents overplayed him and tried to push him around a bit in an effort to disrupt his game. At best, it worked only for a few minutes before Dix was able to adjust to the pressure and make plays off the dribble. His shooting was spectacular as usual, but it is his passing which has grown so much over the summer. He has developed patience in his game which has made him more of a lead guard than a true 2. [player_tooltip player_id="956868" first="Pryce" last="Sandfort"] | 6’6" SF | OSA Crusaders 16U (pictured) After shooting lights out in Omaha and defending at a very high level, Sandfort picked up his first offer from Drake over the weekend. Pryce is solidifying his case as the best 2023 player in Iowa due to his length, versatility on both ends, and deep shooting range and touch. His biggest improvement has been in his point of attack defense. The feet are moving better and he has learned to use that length to bother ball-handlers without fouling.