3SSB Session I: Standout California 16u Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LADERA RANCH — The Open Gym Premier facility in Ladera Ranch, Calif. played host to the first 3SSB session of the club season. Adidas sponsored teams from the west coast and beyond came to Southern California for a four-game live period tune up. Below are the standout California guards we watched on the 16u level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2828496' first='Cameron' last='Anderson'] | 2028 | Compton Magic</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for Anderson to take a big leap in his development and recruitment as the spring and summer goes along. The 6-foot-3 combo guard played a crucial role off the bench for the CIF Southern Section and State Open Division champion Eastvale Roosevelt squad and it was good to see him in an expanded role on Compton Magic's 16u squad. Anderson is a prospect who impacts the game in a variety of ways from making smart decisions with the ball, to making high IQ passes and decisions and scoring at the rim and from behind the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2280428' first='Jaylan' last='Virgil'] | 2027 | Jalen Green Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Virgil is a strong, physical and hard-playing guard who is best when putting pressure on defenses in transition or out of ball-screens in half-court offense. The 6-foot-1 sophomore pushes the tempo in transition, gets downhill to the rim and can initiate and score through contact while staying on balance. Virgil is also a capable three-point shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2230681' first='Jaylen' last='Smith'] | 2027 | Team Lillard</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith was one of the breakout players of the event as he put on a virtuoso shooting display throughout the weekend. The 6-foot-1 combo guard connected on better than 50 percent of his three-point field goal attempts and showed a knack for taking and making big shots during crucial moments of games. The Northern California-based prospect is one to keep an eye on over the next two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2746607' first='Josh' last='Lowery'] | 2028 | Compton Magic</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lowery was one of few freshmen playing on the 16u circuit and there was no question that he belonged. The 6-foot-4 guard is as poised as they come and has an advanced feel for the game, which probably a result of being around the game so much with his two older brothers. Lowery can play on or off the ball and has the ability to take over a game as a scorer or blend into it as a playmaker and role player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2212735' first='NJ' last='Gray'] | 2027 | Team Lillard</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray is a lightning quick and athletically explosive point guard whose best attribute is getting paint touches, whether that is in transition or breaking down a defender in the half-court setting. The 6-foot-1 sophomore has elite blow-by speed, the ability to change direction and stay on balance into a creative and savvy finishing package.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2436287' first='Richie' last='Ramirez'] | 2027 | Gamepoint</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ramirez continues to mold into a steady and diverse combo guard whose game can either be one of an aggressive scorer or a playmaker for others. The 6-foot-2 sophomore, who recently transferred from San Marcos to Santa Ana Mater Dei, averaged 11.5 points per game on the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->