3SSB Invitational: Versatile Wings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LADERA RANCH — The adidas 3SSB circuit made its final stop of the July live period on the west coast as the majority of the shoe company's teams headed to OGP Ladera in Southern California for the 3SSB Earn Your Stripes Invitational. The event kicked off Thursday morning and droves of college coaches flooded the baselines and sidelines to watch the high-level recruits. Below we break down the most versatile wings we watched.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Anthony Thompson | 2026 | Indiana Elite (IN) | Pictured</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When evaluate what a next-level prospect is supposed to look and play like, Thompson fits the bill of that high major type of player. The 6-foot-8 lefty is one of the smoother catch-and-shooters we saw in this event and his ability to space the floor at his height and position is skill that programs place a high value on. Thompson is also a player who doesn't try to do too much with the ball in his hands and sticks to what he does well: make open shots, cut for layups and crash the offensive boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Billy White III | 2026 | ASAK (TX)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White has the ability to do a little bit of everything offensively and it showed in his stat-line from the weekend: 13.2 points, five rebounds and two assists per game. The long, wiry 6-foot-7 wing possesses elite off-catch touch and is a knockdown mid-range shooter off of one or two bounces. What I really liked from White was, when he wasn't shooting it well in the first game of the event, he found other ways to impact the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Colben Landrew | 2026 | [program_tooltip program_id='2863440' first='Game' last='Elite'] (GA)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Landrew is a big, physical and tough playmaker whose ability to play both on or off the ball landed him on this list. The 6-foot-5, 200-plus pound swingman is a burly downhill driver who uses his strong frame and agile athleticism to power through defenders en route to strong finishes at the cup. What makes Landrew so versatile is his feel as a playmaker. He's always scanning the floor for open teammates and delivers on-time and on-target passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Eli Jolin | 2026 | Brookwood Elite (CAN)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jolin plays for the Canadian-based 3SSB club and what immediately stood out was his overall feel and savvy for the game. He's effective off the ball because of his understanding of spacing and read and react concepts that make him a "right place, right time" guy on cuts and when finding an opening to get a good look on a catch-and-shoot. Jolin isn't just an off-ball guy, though, as his creativity and slithery ball skills allow him to make plays for himself and others off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Kole Grandison | 2026 | [program_tooltip program_id='2433307' first='Atlanta' last='Celtics'] (GA)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grandison has a really nice mix of power and and finesse. The rising senior was another physical wing-type who overwhelmed defenders with his strength when driving or slashing but he also showed plenty of skill to go along with his bully-ball ability. Grandison showcased a smooth mid-range jumper and the ability to stretch the floor off the catch from three. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Nolen Anderson | 2026 | D1 Minnesota (MN)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson is a flamethrower of a shooter who has deep and consistent range from all over the floor. The 6-foot-6 wing is also a multi-situational shooter, meaning you can put him in a variety of actions and his threat as a shooter will open up other options. Anderson is most effective in screening situations where he showed the ability to pop and hit a three or slip and score or make a play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Olujimi Popoola | 2027 | Dream Vision (CA)</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Popoola is one of the newest additions to the 2027 class in Southern California and he brings with him multi-positional defensive and offensive versatility. The 6-foot-5 rising junior, who will play at City Section-based Palisades High next season, is a glide-like athlete when slashing to the rim off the bounce or when making cuts and scoring in half-court offense. Popoola was very effective as a rebound and push guy who scored and created for others in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->