Grassroots Preview: Upward Stars 3SSB 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grassroots Season has begun and so has the Grassroots Previews. Who will stand with this Adidas based team this season and Head Coach Curtis Wheeler? Read more inside right here on your source for basketball coverage in the Palmetto State. <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[program_tooltip program_id='2078752' first='Upward' last='Stars'] 3SSB 2024 </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1906824,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/6B39A506-DAE1-47D2-9B61-9CA6EA74EDCF.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/6B39A506-DAE1-47D2-9B61-9CA6EA74EDCF.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1906824" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='996829' first='Kyle' last='Greene']</strong> - Pace Academy (GA)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greene has a smooth game from the backcourt. KJ sees the floor very well and at times can really pick a part a defense. Greene and the Knights won a Class 4A State Championship this past season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1895456,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/E2ACAA24-5CD1-4C37-984A-665A3DCB19A1.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/E2ACAA24-5CD1-4C37-984A-665A3DCB19A1.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1895456" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218929' first='DJ' last='Shine']</strong> - Augusta Christian (GA) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shine had a big game here with 34 points while connecting on 8 three-pointers in a win over Garner Road. DJ helped the Lions win a SCISA Class 4A State Championship this past season. Shine plays the game with ice in veins and is always up for the challenge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1906828,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/88D59086-8F55-4556-99B1-DA9BBB5A7E9D.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/88D59086-8F55-4556-99B1-DA9BBB5A7E9D.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1906828" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='865287' first='Jamari' last='Briggs'] </strong>- Christ School (NC) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Briggs made the move this past season to Western North Carolina to play for the Greenies. Jamari reclassified after playing at Hartsville HS in the Pee Dee. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1892824,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/DD596F2A-0899-4605-A436-1B0B0CF8CBCB.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/DD596F2A-0899-4605-A436-1B0B0CF8CBCB.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1892824" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225774' first='Brandon' last='Crawford'] </strong>- Irmo HS </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crawford a UNSIGNED SENIOR helped the Irmo HS Yellow Jackets win a Class 4A State Championship this past season. Crawford is a long and rangy forward who can his own around the rim. He will alter and challenge shots on the defensive end of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1906829,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/19960E84-CA5B-4EE1-ABAF-30262A5C27F3.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/19960E84-CA5B-4EE1-ABAF-30262A5C27F3.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1906829" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992183' first='Ellis' last='Graham']</strong> - Gray Collegiate </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graham helped the War Eagles win another Class 2A State Championship this past season. Ellis moves well around the floor and can really affect a game on the defensive end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1906834,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/28980594-9611-4388-AB96-289DBF5EBD9E.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/28980594-9611-4388-AB96-289DBF5EBD9E.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1906834" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1076360' first='Bryson' last='Cokley']</strong> - Christ School (NC) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cokley is headed to ACC to play at Wake Forest University after he's done playing with the Greenies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1906827,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/16AFC68D-D54A-4171-8FCB-A9D6B260191F.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/16AFC68D-D54A-4171-8FCB-A9D6B260191F.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1906827" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172558' first='Justin' last='Ray']</strong> - Eastside HS (Taylors) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ray made the move over this season after playing with [program_tooltip program_id='2078752' first='Upward' last='Stars'] Fagan in the past. Justin eclipsed the 1,000 point club this past season for the Eagles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1906825,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/282C0426-2B4C-4936-A97F-AB5B93FC87F5.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/282C0426-2B4C-4936-A97F-AB5B93FC87F5.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1906825" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1338305' first='Michael' last='Marcus Jr']</strong>- Carmel Christian (NC) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marcus Jr. is a physical player down in the post who can step-out to the 3-point line and face-up. Michael is constantly moving around the floor for position or setting screens. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1906826,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/E0F4C3D9-5ACE-431C-9EEC-4EB9D105C84E.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/E0F4C3D9-5ACE-431C-9EEC-4EB9D105C84E.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1906826" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='975134' first='Jermaurhiyun' last='Anderson'] </strong>- Quality Education Academy (NC) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson a left-handed guard likes to get downhill with the ball in his hands. Jermaurhiyun just finished his second season with QEA after coming from Southside HS in Greenville, SC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Grassroots Schedule: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 15-16 - On the Radar Who Wants the Smoke? - Marietta, GA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 21-23 - Adidas 3SSB - Council Bluffs, IA </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 28-30 - Adidas 3SSB - Bryan, TX </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 12-14 - TBD </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 19-21 - SC State AAU Championship - Greenville, SC or Southern Invitational - Hampton, VA </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 27-28 - Phenom Memorial Day Classic - Rock Hill, SC </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 5-9 - Adidas 3SSB - Rock Hill, SC </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->