3SSB 16U Palmetto Road Championship Game Recap

July 2025

Team Lillard takes the 16U championship in Rock Hill, SC over New Heights NYC

Final Score: Team Lillard 73 – New Heights NYC 68

Location: The Arena – 3SSB Palmetto Road Championship

Team Lillard claimed the 16U adidas 3SSB Championship with a 73–68 win over New Heights NYC in a back-and-forth battle defined by pace control, perimeter shot-making, and clutch execution. After a fast start from New Heights, Team Lillard responded with a decisive second-half run and relied on dynamic guard play to close out the game.

New Heights jumped ahead early behind full-court pressure and transition buckets, but Lillard settled in, slowed the tempo, and controlled the game after the break. The turning point came early in the second half, when Team Lillard opened on a 17–7 run and capitalized on a key injury to standout Caleb Lundy. Despite a valiant effort from Kamari Whyte and Jayden Johnson late, Team Lillard maintained composure and sealed the game at the free throw line.

Key Standouts

Jaylen Smith ’27 – Team Lillard

28 PTS | 4-8 3PT | 8-8 FT | 2 AST | 1 STL

  • Exploded in the second half with 20 points. Carried the scoring load and hit clutch free throws to seal the win.

Nathalio Gray Jr. ’27 – Team Lillard

18 PTS | 5 REB | 9-9 FT | 1 STL

  • Created off the bounce, hit a massive and-1 late, and controlled the pace in critical possessions.

Zion Grissom ’27 – Team Lillard

10 PTS | 2 STL | 2 AST | 2 3PT

  • Hit a huge 3 to tie the game early in the second half and provided versatility on both ends.

Kamari Whyte ’27 – New Heights NYC

20 PTS | 7 REB | 4 AST | 2 STL | 10-11 FT

  • Kept New Heights alive with aggressive drives, two-way effort, and elite body control in the lane.

Caleb Lundy ’27 – New Heights NYC

17 PTS | 3 REB | 6-7 FT (in just 17:54 of play)

  • Star guard was in full command before exiting midway through the second half with an injury.

Team Analytics Highlights

Team Lillard:

  • 23-28 FT (82%)
  • +3 rebounding edge
  • 8 made 3PT FG
  • Only 2 turnovers in the second half

New Heights NYC

  • 23-27 FT (85%)
  • +5 steals | 7 turnovers
  • Just 3-13 from 3PT
  • Lost Caleb Lundy with 8:07 remaining (was leading scorer at time

Momentum Breakdown

  • Zion Grissom sparked Lillard early with a +3 transition layup
  • Caleb Lundy led New Heights to a 1H lead with 17 PTS before injury
  • Lillard opened 2H on a 17–7 run, slowing pace and limiting turnovers
  • Gray Jr. and Smith combined for 20 of Lillard’s final 30 points
  • Team Lillard hit 6 free throws in the final 2 minutes to seal the win

Scope Championship MVP:

Jaylen Smith ’27 – Team Lillard

A dominant second-half performance earned Smith the MVP honors. His ability to score from all three levels, knock down big-time shots, and convert clutch free throws made the difference.

Scope All-Championship Team (16U)

  • Jaylen Smith ’27 (Team Lillard) – MVP
  • Kamari Whyte ’27 (New Heights NYC)
  • Nathalio Gray Jr. ’27 (Team Lillard)
  • Caleb Lundy ’27 (New Heights NYC)
  • Zion Grissom ’27 (Team Lillard)