ROCK HILL, SC – The recruiting period returns on Thursday, marking the beginning of a very busy month. Known by many in the basketball world as the “July Live Period,” the next few weeks will bring the culmination of the grassroots basketball season at a time when college coaches are focused almost exclusively on high school recruiting.
The first 2024 National Champion to be crowned will be on the Adidas 3SSB circuit which is holding its finals this week in South Carolina. Although college coaches aren’t permitted to arrive until Thursday, the event tipped off on Tuesday. It will open with two days of showcase games in front of NBA scouts before bracket play begins.
With the Adidas All-American Camp starting the follow next week, this has been a successful year for the 3SSB circuit. The circuit featured as much collective talent as we’ve seen in years. Let’s take a look at both the top teams and top prospects that’ll are on hand this week at the Adidas 3SSB championship event.
The Top Prospects
With five of the top-10 players in the rising senior class featured on the circuit, 3SSB has been ripe with high-end talent all season. So, as expected, these stars will attract some of the country’s most well-known college coaches this week.
Darryn Peterson, Phenom United
Ranking: No. 3, 2025
The top guard in the 2025 class, Darryn Peterson has a silky smooth offensive attack that allows him to create his own offense at multiple levels. Kansas, Arkansas and Ohio State are all heavily involved in his recruitment, but an official list cut has yet to happened .
Koa Peat, Compton Magic
Ranking: No. 5, 2025
It was over two years ago now that Koa Peat led the 3SSB in scoring in his first weekend on the circuit, despite being just a freshman. Since then, he’s racked up one of the best resumes in high school basketball, capped by last week’s gold medal with the USA Basketball U17 team. North Carolina, Baylor, Duke, Houston, Arizona, Texas and others are pursuing him heavily.
Nate Ament, Team Loaded Virginia
Ranking: No. 7, 2025
Nate Ament was a big stock-riser last spring on this circuit. He’s made another jump in recent months, earning him five-star status and recruitment from some of the most notable programs in college basketball including: UConn, Duke, Kentucky, Arkansas, Kansas and others.
Mikel Brown, Team Loaded North Carolina
Ranking: No. 9, 2025
Mikel Brown has long been one of the most skilled guards in the class. But, a recent growth spurt coupled with his ability to run the team has landed him back in the top-10 of the 2025 class. Ole Miss, Louisville and Alabama are all deeply involved in his recruitment.
Braylon Mullins, Indiana Elite
Ranking: No. 23, 2025
Braylon Mullins was arguably the biggest stock-riser in the country. The sharp-shooting guard has solid positional size and is also an underrated defender. UConn, Indiana, North Carolina, Tennessee and Michigan are among the schools in contention for his services.
Malachi Moreno, Indiana Elite
Ranking: No. 25, 2025
In a class lacking for true bigs, Malachi Moreno may be the best at his position. The 7-footer was productive and has some skill to him as well. Kentucky, Indiana and Arkansas are among the schools believed to be in the best position to land him.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Niko Bundalo, ranked No. 24 in the class of 2025, is trying out for the Serbian U18 national team this week, but spent the spring competing with Wildcat Select on the 3SSB circuit. Isiah Harwell, ranked No. 10 in the 2025 class, has missed the spring with injury, but has traveled with his Utah Prospects team all season.
The Top Teams
Team Loaded Virginia and Indiana Elite are the heavy favorites to win it all heading into this week, but there are some other teams that could make a run at the title.
Team Loaded Virginia
Ament is the five-star prospect, but this is a team loaded (no pun intended) with high-major talent. Kaden Magwood is an electric scorer in the backcourt while Jacob Ross infuses his energy, athleticism and defense. Quincy Wadley and Latrell Almond are nationally ranked rising juniors who are playing up.
Indiana Elite
It starts with the inside-out tandem of Moreno and Mullins, but Trent Sisley, Luke Ertel and Dezmon Briscoe have also helped drive winning in a big way. They’re talented at every spot and they execute as well as anyone.
Compton Magic
In terms of sheer talent, Compton Magic has the pieces to compete with anyone — if they’re at 100%. Peat and JJ Mandaquit are both returning from Turkey after winning gold for USA Basketball while Alijah Arenas is a top five prospect in the 2026 class.
BABC
They were one of the best teams in the regular season, but they’re without Oswin Erhunmwunse due to his official reclassification last month. Joson Sanon’s announcement is expected to be forthcoming but he is playing with them in Rock Hill, giving BABC one of the most prolific scorers in the field.
Game Elite
Caleb Holt, another top-5 rising junior in the country who also won gold with USA Basketball last week. If he returns in time to join Ole Miss pledge Tylis Jordan, then Game Elite will be a tough out.
Power 5
Led by recent Iowa State pledge Jamarion Batemon, they were one of the circuit’s most competitive teams this spring. Amari Allen and Devin Brown headline the supporting cast.
Utah Prospects
Ikenna Alozie is a top-10 prospect in the 2026 class, Jalin Holland a top-100 prospect in the 2025 class and big man Tacko Fawaz is also an elite prospect. To add to this, they’re always extremely well-coached.
