Adidas 3SSB Palmetto Championships: Day 2 Top Performers
Rock Hill, South Carolina – Over 170 teams from the 15u, 16u, and 17u divisions convened at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center for the 2024 Adidas 3SSB Palmetto Championships. Dozens of nationally ranked players competed in the Adidas-sponsored event with NBA scouts and pre-approved media sitting courtside.
WIth hundreds of games being played daily, I was not able to see the all, botwever let’s discuss what I did see. The top performers from day two of the Adidas 3SSB Palmetto Championships.
Five-Star Plus+ SG Darryn Peterson
It has been the pace for me. Five-Star Plus+ guard Darryn Peterson has found his groove at the Adidas Palmetto Championships, and he is not letting anyone rush him or get him sped up with the ball in his hands. The physical guard has been able to probe and prod the defense in the half-court, playing with strength and balance. While the three-point shot has been somewhat inconsistent for Peterson, he has not really needed it to create scoring opportunities in an efficient manner. Peterson’s pull-up jump shot has been almost a guarantee this week and he has shown a nice floater along with the ability to finish at the rim. Coming off a 38-point outburst on night one, Peterson followed that up with 20 this morning.
5-star SF Nate Ament
Each time I watch him play, Nate Ament he seems to add something to his game. The 6-foot-small forward has been a top 15 player in On3’s rankings for four updates now, and he has continuously climbed in each. The added element in this viewing is the interior toughness. Ament has been in double figures on the boards for each game. He has also added three to five blocked shots in each game. When you add the three-point shooting along with the shot creation in the half-court, you have a truly unique player who has a lot of ceiling left to reach. He finished today’s win with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks on 6-11 shooting.
4-star SG Joson Sanon (Arizona State)
Joson Sanon relied on a smooth floor game and an excellent pace to finish with an early-morning 37 points in the BABC win. Sanon, a commitment to Arizona State, has a smooth frame and has done an excellent job probing the defense and changing his pace to self-create opportunities. Sanon has an easy jump shot with good lift, and he is shooting it especially well in the mid-range. He is staying on balance and rising up to knock down the shots. His quirky cadence is also drawing fouls as he shot ten free throws in the morning game. Coming off a 30-point Tuesday event performance, the 6-foot-5 shooting guard finished Wednesday morning with 37 on 13-20 from the field and 8-10 from the free-throw line.
4-star SG Kayden Allen (2026)
When you combine the physicality that Kayden Allen brings, along with the fluid skill, you have a pretty unique bucket-getter in the 2026 class. The long-armed 6-foot-5 shooting guard gave a nice clinic on how to break down a defense and score from multiple levels in his morning showing with his Team Loaded NC 16s group. Allen has an array of misdirection dribbles, keeping his defender off balance, as he is ready to rise up when he finds an advantage. Allen has range that extends beyond the three-point arc and he has a nice middle game with footwork and feel. It is an advanced scoring package that he has, which led to a smooth 24-point morning performance.
4-star SF Winters Grady
Coming off an up-and-down June, Winters Grady went back to his shot-creating ways with his Jalen Green Elite team. The 6-foot-6 wing showcased an interesting ability to create space with his footwork and body angles. Grady has a soft touch and plays with great balance off the ball. He is a capable three-point maker off the catch or stepping into an opportunity. Grady was also able to make some things happen in the mid-range, getting to spots and knocking down shots. Much of his stuff came of iso- situations, but he showed his value as an option at the top of a scouting report. He played a close one this afternoon, finishing with 23 points while going 6-13 from the field, 4-6 from three, and 7-9 from the free throw line.
4-star PF Tylis Jordan (Ole Miss)
Maybe it is a personal thing for me, but the positional versatility of Tylis Jordan has always left me fascinated. Standing in the 6-foot-9/6-foot-10 range, Jordan is a fluid athlete, able to change direction and slide his feet, or just as easily as getting off the floor and making plays around the basket. Jordan is becoming more confident on the ball here, pushing in the open floor and getting downhill. He also showed his ability to knock down spot threes with some dependability. Jordan will still need to continue growing his game, piecing it all together. He is very versatile and somewhat unique for the high school game so things might take a little bit of time. With that, the production and the outputs are happening more and more consistently. The Ole Miss commitment finished with 24 points and seven rebounds on 8-15 shooting from the field, 1-3 from three, and 7-9 from the free throw line.
4-star PG Mikel Brown
Mikel Brown carries all the talent, a slick handle with the ability to change direction and attack defenses off a live dribble. He has a shifty handle and plays with good balance which allows him to get into the teeth of the defense and make attacking plays. Brown does not lack confidence, he has range on his jump shot and he will let it go at any point in the offensive flow. He has good vision on the move and delivers passes with good touch. In his morning game today, Brown finished with 24 points and six assists, going 4-9 from three.
4-star SG Alijah Arenas (2026)
Playing up on the 17U level, the top 10 player in 2026 continues to play a confident game. A lot of what he does is based around his scoring output, and Arenas is a constant threat from each level of the floor. The son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, Alijah is around 6-foot-5. He has a nice middle game that he can get to going left or right. Arenas finished today’s game with a well-rounded 23 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals while shooting an efficient 2-4 from three.
4-star C Moustapha Diop (2026)
Moustapha Diop seemingly had his hand on most plays, on both sides of the ball, throughout the course of the game on Tuesday. The 6-foot-10 forward is a fluidly athletic player, able to switch along the perimeter, play in the passing lanes, and do some things as an off-ball rim protector. Diop’s motor ran hot and that led to a good bit of production for him. Offensively, he was at his best playing from the high post. He would rip through or effectively pull up. His ceiling is high given his athletic gifts. He also already has in imprint on the game with his production.
4-star SG Braylon Mullins
Braylon Mullins entered this travel ball season with a reputation as a shooter. The 6-foot-4 wing has been able to solidify that status, while also showing a more diverse portfolio as a scorer. Mullins is a good athlete, showcasing a little bit of pop when he gets a head of steam toward the rim. However, he is still at his best running around off screens and playing off his point guard. He had a couple off straight-line drives to the rim in this one, and he finished a couple of tough buckets in traffic. His ability to shoot off movement is dangerous for opposing teams and you have to stay connected with him at all times. When he is able to sustain his shooting form from multiple levels, he can be dangerous like he was this morning. The top-40 player finished with 20 points while going 8-15 from the field and 4-8 from three.
Other top Adidas 3SSB Performers
4-star C Ben Ahmed (2026): Ahmed continues to find production on the offensive end. The 6-foot-9 left-handed post is advanced in carving out space on the block, using his strong base to create leverage and get defenders on his hip. He has great hands and very good touch, especially when he is getting over his right shoulder. Playing up on the 17u level, the BABC post finished with an efficient 20 points, going 6-8 from the field.
4-star PF John Clark (2025): Clark’s motor keeps his production totals high. He is a strong and physical player and he is coming along with his ability to create an offensive advantage. Clark is strong at the rim and he is an instinctive rebounder. He has done a good job of facing up and getting downhill or rising up for a shot. It is a quirky cadence to his game, but do not mistake it, he is productive.
3-star PG Aiden Argabright (2025): When asked to describe Argabright in one word, fearless might the best I can come up with. The 6-foot-0 guard shows zero fear at any point in time when on the floor. While there could be some inefficiencies in his game, when the ball is in his hands with the game on the line, you trust that he could make a play. 25 on 6-12 FG, 12-12 FT
4-star C Malachi Moreno (2025): Moreno is the tallest player on most courts he walks on, not only on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit but in life. He has found a way to consistently make an impact with his length around the basket. While he is thin, Moreno has soft hands and he is a mobile 7-footer. This morning he finished effectively around the basket and he rebounded his position. Moreno finished with another double-double, going 5-7 from the field for 13 points and 10 rebounds.
3-star PG Jaylen Petty (2025): Petty brings an electricity to the game, an explosive skill set mixed with unwavering confidence. Despite being on the smaller size, Petty can self-create advantage off the bounce and finish plays from multiple levels. He is an explosive athlete and can knock down shots from range consistently. In this morning’s game, Petty finished with 16 points, and four assists, going 6-10 from the field and 3-6 from three.
3-star SF Chase Thompson (2025): Thompson finds his spots and is able to execute efficiently. He is a strong area rebounder and can stretch the floor off the catch. While he is not super dynamic, he plays his role to high production. Thompson, the 6-foot-7 forward, finished with 19 points, going 8-16 from the field and knocking down three threes.
4-star PG Ikenna Alozie (2026): He is explosive. Aloze is quick getting into the paint and he plays with burst and pace off of two feet. The jump shot is coming along and he can create space off the bounce. The reads are coming along and the points continue to pour in. He finished with 19 points and five rebounds.
3-star SG Kruz McClure (2025): McClure has a smooth and confident game. While he will need to continue getting stronger his shooting stroke was smooth and confident. I liked his footwork and the balance he played with.McClure finished with 20 points while going 2-4 from the field.
4-star SG Jamarion Batemon (Iowa State): Batemon came out of Spring with the reputation of a shooter. Coming into this weekend he averaged 44 percent from three on 10 attempts per game on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit. Where he has been intriguing here is with his passing and creating. Still a shooting threat, Batemon has remained aggressive finishing today’s game with 16 points while going 4-8 from three.
3-star F Devin Brown (2025): Brown has a physical presence about him with good length a strong frame and an abundance of explosion. He is at his best in transition, attacking the rim with a purpose. He finished this one with 19 points and shot an efficient 8-11 from the field.
3-star C Cade Bennerman (2025): While there is still a long way until he hits his ceiling, there are not many 6-foot-11 people in the world who move as fluidly as Bennerman. He played effectively within himself, finishing plays around the basket and blocking shots around the rim. There is a clear pathway with his continued improvement. He finished today’s outing with 13 points, six rebounds, and three blocks, going 6-7 from the field.
4-star PG Tay Kinney (2026): Kinney gives off the vibe that he is never rushed, and pretty typically under complete control. The 6-foot-2 guard can touch the paint and spray passes on target and on time, but he can also knock down shots with a smooth shooting stroke and excellent balance. There is a lot to like with his versatile game.
4-star CG Kaden Magwood (2025): When it comes down to it, Magwood can go and get a bucket. He has a sense of electricity to his game, but it is layered with a skill set and the utmost confidence. He is in an off-ball role with this Team Loaded Va team, and that suited him well.
4-star PF Sebastian Wilkins (2026): Wilkins does a lot of positive things on the court. A lot of that productivity centers around his motor. Wilkins is a 6-foot-7/6-foot-8 forward who has developed the jump shot and plays well in straight lines. There is a high floor with his productivity.
3-star PF EJ Walker (South Carolina): He carries a big frame, but it is his skill that makes things interesting for him. Standing about 6-foot-8, Walker has a nice touch, but he also dished out five assists in his afternoon showing. He lined up from multiple areas and his team ran some offense through him. Staying mostly on the perimeter, Walker added 13 points and eight rebounds
4-star PG Jon Sanderson (2026): The speed and the pace Sanderson play with are fun to watch. While he is always uptempo, he is rarely out of control. Sanderson has shown capable of playing on or off the ball and his 6-foot-3 size allows him to be a threat from both areas of the floor.