The 3SSB Finale kicks off this week in Rock Hill, SC, and 21 teams from the 3SGB west will get their one shining moment. As they will get to square off against some of the best teams in the country. This group of teams was determined during two stops in the spring at The Stage Circuit. Each team qualified for the prestigious event by having one of the best cumulative records in their respective age groups at our 3SGB west league play qualifiers. In this write-up we will highlight some of the individual prospects from these teams that we expect will not only turn some heads at 3SSB, but we believe they will lead their teams to some unexpected victories and put their programs in serious contention to be the next 3SGB called up to 3SSB full-time.

James Caraway – Lakeshow 16u Gipson (CA) – 2026 G

James had an impressive spring, leading his Lakeshow 16u squad to an 8-0 record. Caraway stands out with his two-way versatility. On the offensive end, he has the ability to score at all 3 levels. The thing that impressed me the most was his silky smooth mid-range pull-up. He is also a higher level athlete with a strong body which helps him finish in traffic. He also has a knack on defense to disrupt the ball. He also rebounds at a high clip for a guard who sits at 6’2.

The Next Jump : James proved he has a knack to score at will at times. But I want to see him consistently take charge. James does not force the issue much, which is a great attribute to have. But given the rise in competition at the 3SSB finale,  I would like to see James be more selfish and take more shots.

Matthew Norris – Team Esface 17u (CA) – 2025 F

Matthew was a highlight waiting to happen at adidas 3SGB play. He displayed his exceptional athleticism by catching multiple lobs in the open floor and in the half court setting. He also used this athleticism to disrupt the opposing offenses by blocking shots and tearing down impressive rebounds.

The Next Jump : Matthew is more of a traditional big that could stand to improve more on the perimeter. If he extends his range, he could be a prospect that could garner some legitimate division 1 looks.

Maxwell Scott – OGP Anaheim Elite 16u (CA) – 2027 G

There are a handful of intriguing prospects on this particular OGP Anaheim team, but Maxwell stands out above the rest. Max plays the game with a tenacity that most do not have. His ability to change any game with his scoring and decision making is unmatched. He gets to any spot he wants on the floor, in spite of only having a 6’2 frame. His ability to make tough shots when his team needs it the most is highly impressive. This ability was on full display in may when he got to match-up against the highly touted Compton Magic program. Maxwell and CO went shot for shot with the adidas flagship program, narrowly losing in a 63-62 contest that ended on a tip-in in overtime.

The Next Jump : Maxwell, who already holds a division 1 offer from Wisconsin- Green Bay, should continue to gain more interest from D1 programs the way he is projecting. But I believe he would benefit from becoming more of a two-way guard. At this point he creates for his teammates effectively when called upon, but is still mostly a scoring guard. Maxwell lacks size and as the level of competition rises, I believe his score first mentality will not be as effective. Becoming more of a ball-hawk on the defensive end at his size will make his stock rise even higher.

Timothy Dorn – We Rise Elite 17u (HI) – 2026 F

Timothy turned many heads in 3SGB play. He led his We Rise Elite squad to a cinderella-type run to qualify for the 3SSB finale. And he did it by taking a do-it-all approach. Timothy led his team in points and rebounds, and had multiple games of 20 +, including a 29 point explosion in the first leg of 3SGB play. Dorn has a unique blend of size (6’6), athleticism, and versatility that will have him turning heads in South Carolina this week at 3SSB.

The Next Jump : Timothy needs to improve his shooting from beyond the paint. If he is able to extend his range, he will be an undeniable division-1 prospect.

Kensington Candler – Flash! Elite (TX) – 2026 G

Candler is the definition of a sharp shooter. He averaged 2.3 three-pointers per game in 3SGB play. Kensington also has very impressive ball skills and decision making. His ability to affect the game on defense is also something to keep an eye on. The collective defense on this team is something that not many teams have, and Kensington was a big part of that.

The Next Jump : Kensington in general needs to continue to improve in all aspects. I am highly curious to see how he and his squad fair against the best of the best this weekend at the 3SSB finale. Kensington, along with the rest of his squad, essentially dominated 3SGB. Given the mismatches in most games, it was hard to tell if Kensingtons attributes would effectively translate versus the highest level of competition. I look forward to see how he and this Flash! Elite squad fair against the 3SSB field this week.

Chance Dastrup – Utah Valley Prime 17u (UT) – 2025 G
The Utah Valley Prime guard was the catalyst to this program’s first-year rise to 3SGB supremacy, going undefeated in all ages during league play. Chance, who recently pledged to Long Beach St., is an all-around floor general who is a triple-double threat whenever he steps out on the floor. His ability to shoot expands his game and allows him to use his quick first step to get into the lane and create for others. He is also a pest on defense, creating offensive opportunities by creating steals and rebounding exceptionally well for his position. Chance will make college coaches very envious of the fact that he is already committed this weekend at the 3SSB finale.

Next Jump: A bit undersized for his position (5’11) at the collegiate level, Chance should continue to improve his range to stretch the floor. He should also aim to improve his mid-floater game and his on-ball defense in order to secure some minutes at the next level.