Adidas Jr. 3SSB Nationals: 8th Grade Wing Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rock Hill, S.C. —</strong> The 2026 Jr. 3SSB National Championships once again provided a strong evaluation setting, bringing many of the top programs from across the adidas 3SSB circuit to the Rock Hill Sports &amp; Event Center for one final summer tournament. Over the course of three days, several wing prospects elevated their stock with their versatility, athleticism, scoring ability, and impact on both ends of the floor. Below are five wing prospects who stood out with their play in Rock Hill…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3705065,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3683316,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a43d7be0aca7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kannon Axdahl stood out from start to finish at the Jr. 3SSB National Championships, leading D1 Minnesota in scoring while averaging 10.0 points per game. Axdahl flashed his offensive upside, finding many ways to impact the game as a scorer. He used his athleticism to finish above the rim on multiple occasions on the weekend. His jumper also stood out, as he generated impressive lift on his shot while always adjusting to defenders. Between his scoring ability, physical tools, and overall offensive skill set, Axdahl showed plenty of traits that project well moving forward and should keep him firmly in the conversation among the top prospects in Minnesota's 2030 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3683320,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3683322,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a43d7be0ad69"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jones is part of a talented BLUEprint Hoops group that made it to the quaterfinals of the Jr. 3SSB National Championships. He is a physically imposing forward that can play the combo forward role. Jones was effective at creating advantages against smaller defenders, using his strength to carve out space and finish through contact. He also brought an added level of explosiveness as an above-the-rim finisher, making him a constant threat whenever he got downhill or found openings near the basket. His ability to play both forward spots gave his team a reliable source of production throughout the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3683325,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3683328,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a43d7be0ae04"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Justin Peppers was one of the most aggressive offensive players Prep Hoops Next evaluated while in the gym at the Jr. 3SSB National Championships. He is a confident high level wing that lives above the rim. Peppers was at his best when attacking the basket, using his strength and physicality to get downhill and finish through contact. His toughness and willingness to embrace contact made him a difficult matchup and allowed him to impact the game in ways that went beyond the scoring column.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3683341,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3683344,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a43d7be0aea0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have evaluated Levi Watkins many times before but his play at the Jr. 3SSB National Championships might have been the best we have seen from him. He was a much more polished scorer and took the emphasis of taking over for Team Loaded (South) more than ever. He averaged 17.5 points per game during the tournament and was one of the most productive offensive players in the gym. The way he scored, combined with the confidence and control he played with, reinforced why he continues to be viewed as a prospect with significant upside moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3683346,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3683349,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a43d7be0af35"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You always know what you are going to get when Cole Visserman steps onto the floor. The six-foot-six Slow Grind forward displayed his smooth and consistent scoring approach throughout the weekend at the Jr. 3SSB National Championships while averaging 10.8 points per game. His basketball IQ always stood out, always seeming to be in the right place at the right time. This past weekend was the best we have seen him be defensively as he was constantly engaged on that end of the floor. With his size, skill-set and basketball IQ, Visserman is a name worth tracking from the Washington class of 2030.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned for more from Prep Hoops Next!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->