3SSB 17 U - Recap - Birmingham, AL
Hoover, Alabama -
After taking a year off for COVID -19 The Hoover Metropolitan Complex was the scene for the Adidas 3SSB Live event. Featuring teams sponsored by Adidas, check out our breakdown of some of the top teams and players who were about the Three Stripe Life………..
17U
The Midwest Basketball Club went a perfect 6-0 this weekend in Birmingham, led by 2023 Guard Reed Sheppard, who averaged 16.0 ppg and 6.0 Rebs, Reed showed the ability to shoot the basketball from distance, also put the ball on the floor and score on nice contact drives. Reed picked up a offer from Clemson and Ohio State for his efforts. Richard Rolf shot the well this weekend, has nice size (6’7) for a wing and averaged 10.5 ppg this weekend, he picked up offers from IUPUI and Jacksonville State. Looking for one of the best shooters in the North check out Gabe Cupp, he has parking lot range, but does a lot more, and showed this weekend running his team finding open guys and when needed scoring the basketball. Big time offers are starting to pour in for Cupps as we head into the second live weekend.
WE WANT THE SMOKE
While Midwest Basketball Club was the only team to go undefeated in 17U, their were 5 other teams that only lost one game during the weekend. Dream Vision, Team Loaded (NC), Upward Stars, NY Jayhawks, Team Loaded (Va), Southern Assault.
DREAM VISION (CA)
6’11 Yohan Traore had a nice weekend in Birmingham averaging 20.5 ppg, the Frenchman did what ever he wanted to do with the ball scoring low and being able to shoot the jumper. He was a terror on glass and consistently look like the best player on the floor. He received a offer amongst a host of others for his play this weekend. Nathan Washington played well this weekend scoring on a multitude of jumpers and layups, but his defense was the most impressive using his long arms and length to play passing lanes and get tap back steals, he finished the weekend with 13.8 ppg and led the team in steals 2.2.
TEAM LOADED (NC)
Team Loaded (NC) looked good this weekend led by the play of MJ Rice, Freddie Dilione, and LJ Thomas. Rice the 6’6 Guard whose headed Prolific Prep can do it all, score in transition, finish plays at a high level and can shoot it from outside. Rice is built like a tank and uses that to wear opponents down. Rice finished the weekend averaging 16 ppg 4.6 Rebs. Keep a eye on Freddie Dilione who has decided to reclass to the 2023 class and stay at Word of God, a shooter with a nice looking stroke who can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket also. Dilione averaged 16.5 and 6.3 Rebs this weekend. Guard Liron (LJ) Thomas is very solid receiving offers from several Power 5 schools already and you expect this too pick up even more. The showed the ability to score the ball at a high clip, strong sturdy guard built like a action figure.
Upward Stars (SC)
Upward Stars played had a good this weekend going 5-1 led by high major prospect Julian Phillips. Phillips the 6’9 ultra athletic wing, can score off the bounce or with jumper, while his offensive game his very solid, his ability on defense makes him special. The long arm wing does a great job of playing the passing lane turning defense into instant offense. Phillips finished the weekend averaging 20 ppg. Lewis Duarte also played well for the Stars this weekend averaging 7.0 ppg and 4 rebounds.
NY Jayhawks (NY)
2022 Guard Jamarques Lawrence should he might be one of the best shooters representing the Brick City. Lawrence is more of a combo guard, who can facilitate and find the open man on shots, while finding ways to score the ball. Jamarques finished the weekend averaging 18.5 ppg and 3.2 Assist. Keep a eye on 6’7 wing Ryan Dunn, he should the ability to score in transition, rebound in traffic and make jump shots, and plays with a high motor, he averaged 10.5 ppg, and 7.0 Reb, Blair Thompson averaged 10.2 ppg while showing the ability to make shots.
Team Loaded (VA)
Illinois commit Jayden Epps showed this weekend that he could score the basketball the combo guard and created problems with setting guys up on drives, and making the right plays he finished this weekend averaging 16 pts. Donald Hand Jr showed his ability to shoot the cover off the basketball from deep. He finished this weekend averaged 11.4 ppg 2.4 avg 4.0 Rebs.