Adidas 3SSB Championships: Playing Up

USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION   Every year in Mid-July, the AAU Basketball world revolves around the Palmetto State. One reason why is the Adidas Three Stripes Select Basketball Championships, which take place in Rock Hill, South Carolina. This is a great opportunity for me to see some of the brightest future stars and this year was no different. Check out some of these stars who play above their age group on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit:   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />    Headlining the list is [program_tooltip program_id='2226307' first='Team' last='Loaded VA']'s [player_tooltip player_id='2767487' first='King' last='Bacot']. I came away from Rock Hill extremely impressed with the younger brother of former UNC Star Armando Bacot. Despite being listed as a SG, King played more like a true PG in front of me in the Wednesday Showcase Game. He displayed a great feel for running offensive sets, penetrating the defense, finding teammates, and creating his own buckets. At 6'3", Bacot already has a size advantage over most Guards despite being the youngest on the floor. He put up 10 points and 6 assists in the opener.     Antonio might be one of the biggest stock risers in the country thanks to a monster showing at Palmetto Road. I watched Mass Rivals 17U in my first game Wednesday and my last game Thursday, and in both, Pemberton was the best player on the floor. He is a true tough shot-maker, capable of putting the ball in the basket at all three levels and through elite defense. Antonio does so with a tight handle to create space and solid athleticism to finish around bigs at the rim. He also showed upside as a facilitator, making good reads and crisp passes, particularly on Wednesday. Pemberton tallied 30 points and 28 points between the two games.     I became familiar with Barnes last Summer in Rock Hill, when he helped lead Austin Rivers SE Elite to the 3SSB 16U Championship, so he was one I circled to check back in with this time around. He didn't disappoint in Wednesday's matchup with Breakaway, going for 16 points, 10 assists, and 3 steals in the win. Barnes makes up for his age with speed and IQ from his Point Guard position. Martay is a quick start and stop guy, keeping defenders uncomfortable when assigned to him. He also reads the game well on both ends of the floor to find teammates and force turnovers.     Tre had a solid showing for Anthony Edwards Five this week. Keith can bring the ball up and run the offense, spot-up and attack from the wings, or create a bucket in late shot-clock situations. He has good touch on his shots, particularly in the mid-range and on runners and floaters. Tre is fast with the ball in his hands, allowing him to excel in transition after rebounds, forced turnovers, and outlet passes. Keith can also operate the pick-and-roll in the half-court. He averaged 15.5 points per game in the first two games.     Rounding out my list of prospects playing up at the Adidas 3SSB Championships is Josh Leonard. He displayed intriguing flashes despite losses on Wednesday and Thursday. Josh is a physically imposing Wing with a strong, 6'7" frame and good athleticism. He looked to use that advantage in the paint in both games, excelling in transition, as a driver, and on the offensive glass. The offensive glass was a major weapon for Leonard, as he frequently punished defenses with extra possessions and easy buckets. Josh also used his athleticism to rotate and protect the rim on defense. Leonard put up 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block in Game One and 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks in Game Two.

USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION