ROCK HILL, S.C. — Opening day of the Jr. 3SSB Boys National Championships featured many of the country’s top-ranked youth programs, with several national contenders taking care of business while a number of regional powers and unranked teams also emerged as championship threats. Friday’s pool play established the early favorites heading into Saturday’s Earn Your Stripes bracket play.

14U Gold

The 14U Gold division lived up to its billing as one of the deepest fields in the tournament, with nationally ranked teams continuing to impress while several other undefeated programs positioned themselves for championship runs.

Top Undefeated Teams

National No. 1 Team Loaded South (NC) (2-0)
National No. 4 Power 5 (WI) (2-0)
National No. 7 Davis Brothers Elite (WI) (2-0)
National No. 8 BLUEprint Hoops Jr. 3SSB National (IL) (2-0)
National No. 15 D1 Minnesota 3SSB (MN) (2-0)
National No. 16 KT Kings (FL) (2-0)
National No. 20 Lakeshow 3SSB 2030 (CA) (2-0)
National No. 21 Slow Grind Elite (WA) (2-0)
National No. 23 ACES Hoyas (WA) (2-0)
Southwest No. 1 Arkansas Hawks (AR) (2-0)
East No. 23 Team Goose 2030 (KY) (2-0)
Midwest Basketball Club Premier Jr. 3SSB (OH) (2-0)
Midwest Basketball Club Pumas Jr. 3SSB (OH) (2-0)
Foundation Athletics (WI) (2-0)
Garner Road Basketball Club (NC) (2-0)
Tri-County Soldiers (Canada) (2-0)
ProLyfe Elite Basketball (TX) (2-0)
4700 Training Academy (TX) (2-0)
Phenom BallStarz (IA) (2-0)

With nearly 20 undefeated teams still in contention, Saturday’s bracket play should feature several marquee matchups between nationally ranked programs.

Top 14U Gold Day 1 Performers

Cooper Crislip (Midwest Basketball Club Pumas) — 24.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 4.0 3PM (2-0)
Miles Henderson (4700 Training Academy) — 22.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.5 SPG (2-0)
Brayden Holland (BLUEprint Hoops Jr. 3SSB National) — 20.0 PPG, 3.0 SPG, 2.0 3PM (2-0)
Julian Beitia (KT Kings) — 18.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.5 BPG (2-0)
Justin Peppers (Arkansas Hawks) — 17.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.5 SPG, 1.0 BPG (2-0)
Gabriel L. Thomas (Garner Road) — 17.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 4.0 3PM (2-0)
Selassie Trahan-Castillo (ACES Hoyas) — 16.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG (2-0)
Sheldon Yarbrough (Power 5) — 15.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.0 BPG (2-0)

14U Silver

Several Silver Division teams put together strong opening-day performances and enter Saturday’s championship bracket with momentum.

JW Hoops Jr. 3SSB Elite (TX) and South Jersey Buckets (NJ) headline the Silver contenders after undefeated starts, while Rise & Reign, North Alabama Lakers, Connect ATX Elite, Rarebreed Elite, Team Highstar, and Bay City 2030 also positioned themselves well for bracket play.

Top 14U Silver Performers

Cory Green Jr. (North Alabama Lakers) — 16.5 PPG, 2.5 3PM, team 2-0
Will Biswell (Rise & Reign) — 15.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, team 2-0

13U Gold

The 13U Gold division featured one of the strongest fields at Jr. 3SSB Nationals, with nationally ranked contenders living up to expectations while several regional powers and unranked programs also finished Day 1 undefeated. Saturday’s Earn Your Stripes bracket is loaded with championship-caliber matchups.

Top Undefeated Teams

National No. 2 Hoosier Phenoms I.E. (IN) (2-0)
National No. 3 Metroball OBG Elite (FL) (2-0)
National No. 8 Atlanta Celtics (GA) (2-0)
National No. 20 Show Stoppers Academy (NY) (2-0)
National No. 21 Wildcat Select (PA) (2-0)
National No. 24 New Heights (NY) (2-0)
East No. 18 Team Goose (KY) (2-0)
East No. 20 Phenom United Charging (OH) (2-0)
West No. 11 Lakeshow Jr. 3SSB (CA) (2-0)
Power 5 (WI) (2-0)
True Prospects 2031 (TX) (2-0)
Swain Basketball Academy (GA) (2-0)
Sizzle Elite (MN) (2-0)
SE Elite Chemistry 2031 Jr. 3SSB (FL) (2-0)

Several nationally ranked teams remain on a collision course for the later rounds, while a handful of unranked programs have positioned themselves to make a deep championship run after impressive opening-day performances.

Top 13U Gold Day 1 Performers

Theodore Brown (Sizzle Elite) — 25.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 2.0 3PM
Caden Winkler (Team Goose) — 19.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.5 APG, 2.0 SPG
Cam Rauch (True Prospects 2031) — 19.5 PPG, 3.0 3PM
Gabe Smart (Lakeshow Jr. 3SSB) — 18.0 PPG, 3.0 APG, 2.5 SPG, 4.5 3PM
Montez Spencer Jr. (Hoosier Phenoms I.E.) — 16.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG
Amos Littles (Hoosier Phenoms I.E.) — 16.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG
Landon Miller (Phenom United Charging) — 15.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG
Judah Simmons (New Heights) — 12.5 PPG, 7.5 APG, 2.5 3PM

13U Silver

The 13U Silver division also produced several impressive undefeated teams on Friday. East Bay Athletics 13U Black (CA) and Team New England-JJ (NE) each controlled their pools with strong defensive performances, while Utah Magic (UT), Brooklyn Zoom (NY), DreamPrepareCompete 2031 (GA), Team Loaded (VA), TDJ Elite (NY), BOA Panthers (MS), MR22 Elite (OH), Hoboken Elite (NJ), JBC Elite (LA), and GRAB Elite (NY) all advanced to Saturday without a loss.

Top 13U Silver Performers

Kelly Hayes (East Bay Athletics 13U Black) — 17.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG
Poutoa Faalogo-Silva (Utah Magic) — 15.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.5 BPG

12U Gold

The 12U Gold division showcased a strong mix of nationally ranked contenders and emerging programs on Day 1, with several Top 25 teams remaining unbeaten heading into Saturday’s Earn Your Stripes bracket. Indiana, California, New York, Ohio and Georgia programs all made early statements, setting up one of the deepest championship fields in the tournament.

Top Undefeated Teams

National No. 5 All Covered Prospects (CA) (2-0)
National No. 6 NY Gauchos (NY) (2-0)
National No. 8 Hoosier Phenoms I.E. (IN) (2-0)
National No. 11 Buckeye Prep Phenoms (OH) (2-0)
National No. 12 Midwest Basketball Club Wyant (KY) (2-0)
National No. 16 Atlanta Celtics (GA) (2-0)
National No. 25 D1MiNN 3SSB (MN) (2-0)
East No. 15 Honor Sports Academy 2032 (GA) (2-0)
East No. 16 Indiana Basketball Academy 2032 (IN) (2-0)
East No. 25 Team Loaded NC (NC) (2-0)
Indiana Dominators 2032 (IN) (2-0)

Several nationally ranked programs remain on course for a championship run, while Indiana Basketball Academy, Honor Sports Academy, Team Loaded NC and Indiana Dominators have positioned themselves as teams to watch after impressive opening-day performances.

Top 12U Gold Day 1 Performers

Caleb Johnson (All Covered Prospects) — 22.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG
Nate Livings (Lightning Elite 2032) — 17.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.0 APG
Bruce Hunley (Indiana Basketball Academy 2032) — 14.5 PPG
Roman Simmons (Buckeye Prep Phenoms) — 13.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.5 SPG
Wallace Prather IV (Atlanta Celtics Green) — 13.0 PPG
Landyn White (Honor Sports Academy 2032) — 12.5 PPG
Mark Ellis (NY Gauchos) — 11.5 PPG
Kevin Battle (Hoosier Phenoms I.E.) — 11.0 PPG

12U Silver

The 12U Silver division also featured several teams that navigated Friday’s pool play undefeated. Hoop Nation KC, SwaveWay Basketball Elite, Unity Legends, Built Different Elite, D1 Minnesota Gold, and Indiana Dominators all built momentum heading into Saturday’s championship bracket and will look to continue their strong starts.

Top 12U Silver Performers

Josiah Hammock (Indiana Dominators 2032) — 22.5 PPG
Khalil Brooks (Hoop Nation KC) — 22.0 PPG

11U Gold

The 11U Gold division featured several nationally ranked programs that lived up to expectations on Day 1, while a few under-the-radar teams also positioned themselves for deep bracket runs. The biggest result of the day came when National No. 8 D1MIN 3SSB knocked off National No. 3 Anthony Edwards Five Jr. 3SSB, adding another marquee win before cruising to a 2-0 start.

Top Undefeated Teams

National No. 1 All Covered Prospects (CA) (1-0)
National No. 8 D1MIN 3SSB (MN) (2-0)
National No. 12 BLUEPRINT Hoops Jr. 3SSB (IL) (1-0)
National No. 20 Washington Warriors Blue (DC) (1-0)
National No. 23 Indy Hoops (IN) (1-0)
National No. 25 Honor Sports Academy (GA) (1-0)
East No. 15 SAB Jr. 3SSB (GA) (1-0)
East No. 19 Team Loaded Welsh (VA) (1-0)
Baby Shaq Elite 704 (1-0)
The Village (NC) (1-0)

Nationally ranked teams continue to headline the field entering Saturday, while D1MIN 3SSB’s victory over Anthony Edwards Five Jr. 3SSB stands out as one of the biggest wins of opening day.

Top 11U Gold Day 1 Performers

Jalon Woods (Young Dons Gold) — 20.0 PPG
Sammie Huggins (Florida Vipers Basketball Academy Jr. 3SSB) — 19.0 PPG
Antonio (AJ) Tigner (Indy Hoops) — 19.0 PPG
Sebastian Crawford (Washington Warriors Blue) — 18.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.0 APG
Gerame Box (SAB Jr. 3SSB) — 16.0 PPG, 1.0 APG
Lance Smith (Washington Warriors Blue) — 14.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Tytus Reed (Lakeshow 3SSB) — 14.0 PPG
Zay Dalton (D1MIN 3SSB) — 12.5 PPG

11U Silver

The 11U Silver division also featured an impressive group of undefeated teams, with Creative Arts and Sports, MD Stealth, SwaveWay National, PMA Knights, South Jersey Buckets and JW Hoops Jr. 3SSB Elite all earning perfect starts to pool play. Several of those teams will square off Saturday as the Earn Your Stripes bracket gets underway.

Top Undefeated Teams

East No. 21 Creative Arts and Sports (NY) (2-0)
SwaveWay National 2033 (TX) (2-0)
MD Stealth 2033 (MD) (2-0)
PMA Knights 11U Red (CA) (2-0)
South Jersey Buckets (NJ) (2-0)
Southwest No. 14 JW Hoops Jr. 3SSB Elite (TX) (2-0)

Top 11U Silver Day 1 Performers

Naetochukwu Kanno (PMA Knights) — 19.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.5 SPG
Pierre Williams (Hard Hoops Elite) — 18.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG
Easton Adams (Brevard Bulls) — 16.5 PPG
Mario Miller (The UN1T) — 15.5 PPG
Elijah Galbreath (PMA Knights) — 14.5 PPG
Jackson Hill (South Jersey Buckets) — 13.5 PPG
Andrew Fisher Jr. (Creative Arts and Sports) — 13.5 PPG
Kobi Nwaokobia (SwaveWay National) — 11.5 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.5 SPG

Championship Weekend Preview: Bracket Play Takes Center Stage at Jr. 3SSB Boys Nationals

After an opening day filled with standout performances, ranked-team showdowns and breakout players, the Jr. 3SSB Boys National Championships shift into championship mode this weekend in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Saturday’s Earn Your Stripes brackets will narrow the field before champions are crowned on Sunday across the 11U-14U divisions.

Saturday Matchups to Watch

Several marquee games are already set as undefeated teams square off for pool championships and favorable bracket positioning.

14U Gold

The deepest division in the tournament is expected to produce several heavyweight battles immediately. National No. 1 Team Loaded South headlines the field, while Power 5, Davis Brothers Elite, BLUEprint Hoops Jr. 3SSB National, D1 Minnesota 3SSB, KT Kings, Lakeshow 3SSB 2030, Slow Grind Elite, ACES Hoyas, and Arkansas Hawks all remain unbeaten. Several of those nationally ranked programs could be on a collision course for Sunday’s semifinals and championship game.

13U Gold

Saturday’s bracket may feature the strongest collection of nationally ranked teams in the tournament. Hoosier Phenoms I.E., Metroball OBG Elite, Atlanta Celtics, Show Stoppers Academy, Wildcat Select, New Heights, Lakeshow Jr. 3SSB, Phenom United Charging, and Team Goose all advanced undefeated. Potential quarterfinal and semifinal matchups between Hoosier Phenoms, Metroball OBG Elite, Atlanta Celtics and Wildcat Select could be among the best games of the weekend.

12U Gold

The 12U division remains loaded entering bracket play. All Covered Prospects, NY Gauchos, Hoosier Phenoms I.E., Buckeye Prep Phenoms, Midwest Basketball Club Wyant, Atlanta Celtics, D1MiNN 3SSB, Honor Sports Academy 2032, Indiana Basketball Academy 2032, Team Loaded NC, and Indiana Dominators 2032 all enter Saturday unbeaten. If the favorites continue advancing, Sunday could feature multiple Top 25 matchups with a national title on the line.

11U Gold

One of Friday’s biggest surprises came when D1MiNN 3SSB defeated National No. 3 Anthony Edwards Five Jr. 3SSBbefore finishing 2-0. Saturday’s bracket features several nationally ranked contenders including All Covered Prospects, Washington Warriors Blue, BLUEPRINT Hoops Jr. 3SSB, Indy Hoops, and Lakeshow 3SSB, while D1MiNN will attempt to continue its impressive run toward Championship Sunday.

Players to Watch

14U

Cooper Crislip (Midwest Basketball Club Pumas)
Miles Henderson (4700 Training Academy)
Brayden Holland (BLUEprint Hoops Jr. 3SSB National)
Julian Beitia (KT Kings)

13U

Theodore Brown (Sizzle Elite)
Caden Winkler (Team Goose)
Gabe Smart (Lakeshow Jr. 3SSB)
Montez Spencer Jr. (Hoosier Phenoms I.E.)

12U

Caleb Johnson (All Covered Prospects)
Nate Livings (Lightning Elite 2032)
Bruce Hunley (Indiana Basketball Academy 2032)
Roman Simmons (Buckeye Prep Phenoms)

11U

Sebastian Crawford (Washington Warriors Blue)
Antonio “AJ” Tigner (Indy Hoops)
Jalon Woods (Young Dons Gold)
Zay Dalton (D1MiNN 3SSB)

Sunday Championship Outlook

If Friday’s results are any indication, Championship Sunday should feature some of the best youth basketball of the summer. Nationally ranked favorites have largely taken care of business, but several unranked programs have already proven they can compete with anyone in the field. Expect multiple ranked-versus-ranked matchups throughout Saturday that could ultimately determine who advances to Sunday’s championship games.

Scope Scouting will provide wall-to-wall coverage throughout the weekend, including live updates, player evaluations, MVP selections, All-Tournament Teams, championship recaps, and final rankings as champions are crowned at the 2026 Jr. 3SSB Boys National Championships.