Adidas 3SSB Notebook: Out of Area Notables

One of the great things that the sneaker circuits bring to the table is high level, standardized competition where we get to see talent from all around North America under one roof. It was great to see some of the out of area guys shine so we'll take a look at some guys within and beyond the region that really stood out with their play.    Evans continues to make his case for the top prospect in all of high school basketball regardless of class as he was an absolute star playing up two age groups for Austin Rivers Southeast Elite. It's truly so rare to see a prospect at this stage with the level of feel, skill, and natural physical gifts that he possesses. Evans is comfortable operating in ball screens, guarding multiple positions, and can really make splash plays above the rim with his athleticism. Evans finds a way to get all of his production within the flow of the game as well, never forcing the issue which is often a problem for talented young players. As his frame continues to fill out and his game gets even more refined, expect Evans to make a real case for himself as the top prospect in High School basketball over the coming years.     I made the walk over to The Bleachery, a sister facility of the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center for a 15u matchup featuring this Upward Stars group and Babar Johnson stood out immediately. The strong and skilled wing looked to provide a real two way impact with his competitive fire shining bright. Johnson's ability to make shots from the outside along with making plays for others at his size really stood out. Johnson really understands how to play along with really grasping the abilities he possesses and how to use them to impact the outcome of a game. Johnson has a strong frame at this age as well which really allows him to guard multiple positions at a high level defensively. It's easy to see why my guy Andrew has him ranked so high in South Carolina.     This Tennessee Impact program has continued on their upward trajectory as they consistently have prospects who provide a ton of value at the next level. Segond Sompa is exactly that because of how impactful he is for this team at both ends of the floor with what he's capable of doing at this size. Sompa is a difference making rebounder at both ends of the floor along with having the necessary skill to provide this group with a versatile scoring arsenal. Sompa is a strong finisher above the rim but he's also got the necessary mobility to attack some slower bigs off the bounce from the perimeter. He's active in protecting the rim and even shows flashes of outside touch from time to time. He's going to be a really impactful player at the next level and it'll be fun to see where he ends up.     Indiana Elite's 15u group had a really good run in this event as they made a run to the final four with Drew Cabana being a feature player throughout that special run. Cabana's ability to make outside shots at a high volume and in different situations really set the table for the rest of his game. Cabana is an excellent movement shooter with deep range and the touch to hit shots when floating in either direction. He's got the ability to self create as well, showing a ton of comfort in handing the ball in pick and roll actions while making good reads in those situations. Cabana appears to be a premier backcourt prospect in this 2029 class on a national scale and it was great getting our first look at him in Rock Hill this past weekend.     Kerr jumped in the mix with [program_tooltip program_id='2078500' first='Garner' last='Road']'s 17u group after [program_tooltip program_id='2220892' first='Team' last='United']'s season ended early and he fit in like a glove with this group guiding them to a very successful weekend. He helped manage the basketball in key games, found a way to contribute with his versatile scoring arsenal, and really helped them on the glass in key spots. He had a game where he flirted with a triple double, 11 Points, 11 Rebounds, and 7 Assists. That sums up what Kerr can provide to your lineup as someone with great skill that can help you in so many different ways. He just announced his transfer to Wellington Academy where I'm sure he'll have a successful senior season. The North Carolina native continues to shine regardless of setting.     Ragland was special in his role for Team Loaded Virginia 16u on their Championship run as a true mismatch option they have while being able to help hold down the interior at both ends of the floor. Ragland is such a fundamentally sound player with the ability to finish with either hand at the rim, make all of the necessary passes to help run your offense, and guard at a high level without fouling. He's starting to show more consistency and a willingness to shoot the three ball as well which will only diversify his game even further. Ragland might be a little undersized for his position but his skill, motor, and IQ allow him to make up for that lack of size and then some. Look out for Ragland to become a high priority prospect for division one coaches in the coming years.

One of the great things that the sneaker circuits bring to the table is high level, standardized competition where we get to see talent from all around North America under one roof. It was great to see some of the out of area guys shine so we'll take a look at some guys within and beyond the region that really stood out with their play.