Six DMV Eye-Catchers at 3SSB Palmetto Road

<!-- 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>The Adidas 3SSB Palmetto Road Championships brought some of the nation's premier talent to Rock Hill, but the DMV once again proved why it's one of the country's deepest recruiting hotbeds. With college coaches lining the sidelines throughout the weekend, several prospects from Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia elevated their stock through productive, winning performances. These are the DMV standouts who left a lasting impression during championship weekend.</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":["2548185"],"_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":3699790,"_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-6a5f7a2e7ab37"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leading off the list of DMV area eye-catchers from the 3SSB Palmetto Road is [player_tooltip player_id='2548185' first='Kelvin' last='Anderson']. Anderson was a steady force on the opening three days for [program_tooltip program_id='2226307' first='Team' last='Loaded VA'], putting them in position for a run to the Championship on Sunday. He averaged 14 points per game and over 2.5 assists per game in wins over Wildcat Select, Dream Vision, and Team Colorado. I got to see Kelvin in the matchup with Dream Vision, where he stepped up with the game-winning three to keep Team Loaded alive in the 16U bracket. Along with his clutch shot, Anderson caught my eye with his ability to consistently get to the rim and finish creatively or find a teammate against a collapsing defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1782691"],"_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","fullHeight":false,"anchor":"acf-block-6a5f7a2e7aba8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Switching over to Team Loaded 17U, Hunter showed flashes as a premier scorer in Rock Hill last week. He had the two highest-scoring outings for Team Loaded, putting up 21 points on 6-13 FG against ASAK and 20 points on 8-15 FG against Anthony Edwards Five. Jordan was very impressive in that Thursday opener, consistently getting downhill with his quickness and handle while also keeping defenders off balance with a capable jumper off the dribble. Hunter was one of the fastest players in the open floor that I saw all week long, which made him a threat not only in the half-court but in transition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2624494"],"_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-6a5f7a2e7ac24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Holding down the middle for Team Loaded was [player_tooltip player_id='2624494' first='Ben' last='Kalonji']. Kalonji might not have had the scoring numbers this week, but he played his role and was just as important defensively. Ben was a dominant force around the rim on that end of the floor, blocking at least one shot in every game and controlling the glass as well. His two highest-total games were 3 blocks against ASAK on Thursday and 10 rebounds against Game Elite on Friday. Kalonji is an active, athletic big man who runs the floor well and gets off it even better. With the excellent motor that he plays with, if Ben can add any consistent weapon to his offensive game, he could be a nice piece at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470549"],"_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-6a5f7a2e7ac84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was an up-and-down weekend for Minor and [program_tooltip program_id='2076990' first='New' last='World 3SSB'], but it was clear to see that he's one of the most skilled scorers in Maryland. I caught up with them in a slow-paced encounter with Game Elite, where Makel put up 11 points on an efficient 5-for-10 shooting in a win. In that game, Minor showed a knack for creating space off the dribble with high speed and a tight handle. Whether he was elevating over defenders in the mid-range or flying past them to the rack, he was a tough assignment for the opposing team. He only had 2 assists, but there was some playmaking upside shown by Makel, especially as he started to see more bodies in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2524394"],"_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-6a5f7a2e7ace1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith-Bey is a Maryland 2028 playing up with New World 17U. He has a very intriguing frame and doesn't lack any physical maturity against 2027s. Kareem's flashes outlined why he is one of the most highly-touted prospects in the DMV, particularly as a slashing, defensive-playmaking wing. He can do a little bit of everything on the floor, such as playmaking, finishing, and defending, so as his shot comes along, he could be a really impactful player at the next level. However, one of his most important attributes is his ability to stay engaged and effective even without having a lot of the ball in his hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2705135"],"_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-6a5f7a2e7ad5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding off my list of DMV eye-catchers from 3SSB Palmetto Road is [player_tooltip player_id='2705135' first='Jordan' last='Fox']. Fox led New World 16U in scoring in three of their four games in South Carolina last week, averaging over 17 points per game. Along with his scoring prowess, Jordan was extremely impactful defensively, posting at least one steal in every game, including a 6-steal game against Arkansas Hawks. He was one of the scrappiest guards I saw all week long, always showing up around the ball with a knack for making winning plays on both ends of the floor. Fox also has a shifty handle, is an efficient playmaker, and isn't shy to play through contact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->