Checking In on Former Palmetto State Stars During Champ Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Championship Week brought several former Palmetto State standouts back home as Nike EYBL Peach Jam in North Augusta and Adidas 3SSB Palmetto Road in Rock Hill showcased some of the nation's top talent. While South Carolina's next generation made plenty of headlines, these six former in-state standouts reminded everyone why they were among the state's best, delivering strong performances against elite competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2683034"],"_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":3698916,"_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-6a5e7a5e756d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hudson Hatch leads off the list. Hatch was the hero of the 3SSB 16U Championship on Sunday, knocking down the game-winning three at the buzzer to give Team Loaded VA the win. That shot gave Hudson 5 3PM on the day, along with an impressive 18-point, 13-rebound double-double. I checked in with the former Philip Simmons Iron Horse on Friday, and although he wasn't the top offensive option on a stacked squad, his passing, shooting, and shot-blocking were crucial to their success, as he continued to prove throughout the week en route to the crown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/nbafuturenow/status/2078889181019844949?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/nbafuturenow/status/2078889181019844949?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2405568"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6a5e7a5e7577d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another Christ School Greenie who began his career in the Palmetto State is Wiersma. Brice runs with Garner Road 16U on the Adidas 3SSB circuit, and he was important in their deep run as well. He averaged over 15 Points Per Game and 6 Rebounds Per Game over four games in Rock Hill, helping lead Garner Road to a 16U Semi-Final birth. Wiersma is one of the best interior scorers in the division, combining sound feet, soft touch, and a strong frame to dominate in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1486211"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6a5e7a5e75809"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The former top-ranked prospect in South Carolina's 2027 Class was in action in Rock Hill with [program_tooltip program_id='2078752' first='Upward' last='Stars SE']. He had two strong games in bracket-play wins for the Stars, going for 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals on Thursday against CA Gold and 19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks on Friday against Tennessee Impact. Leonard's positional size and athleticism were on display in both games, and he was particularly impactful around the rim on the offensive and defensive end of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470128"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6a5e7a5e7589d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Switching over to Nike Peach Jam, Jermier Nelson was a key piece on a Team CP3 squad that made it to the 16U Championship Game. Nelson was in double figures in all three bracket-play games, averaging over 13 Points Per Game on Saturday and Sunday. I caught up with Jermier and his squad in a win over The Family on Wednesday, where he stepped up with 8 points and 4 assists off the bench. With all the national talent that Team CP3 has on their roster, Nelson's impressive week should have his stock rising amongst college coaches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1755072"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6a5e7a5e75937"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another Team CP3 2028 with Palmetto State ties is Collins. Mason is a native of Columbia, South Carolina, and played his 8th-grade season at Irmo High School before transferring out of state. At 6'7", Collins not only has elite physical tools on the wing, but he is one of the most skilled scorers in his class. I watched him go for 20 points on 7-13 FG in their Wednesday win, where he displayed an ability to create shots off the dribble for himself and others while also efficiently knocking down jumpers and attacking closeouts on spot-up opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JamieShaw5/status/2077903403854778485?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JamieShaw5/status/2077903403854778485?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1206191"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6a5e7a5e759c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jake Thomas rounds out the list of former South Carolina stars who I got to check-in with last week. Thomas was back with [program_tooltip program_id='2413030' first='Middleton' last='Hoops Elite'] for the month of July, starting several key games to help them finish their regular season strong and earn a spot in the Peach Invitational Tournament. Jake had two double-figure scoring games between the opening two days, including a game-high 15 points on an efficient 6-8 shooting in the win over Pro Skills. His size at the four was important to their success on both ends of the floor, especially when he was engaged on the glass and played off two feet in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->