LIVE BLOG: Kentucky targets in action at adidas 3SSB Championships
Rock Hill, SC, will play host this week to one of the most exciting AAU events of the entire summer — and several Kentucky men’s basketball recruiting targets will suit up to compete.
The 2025 adidas 3SSB “Palmetto Road” Championships began on Wednesday, July 9, and continue through Sunday, July 13, at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center. As of Thursday, college coaches are allowed in the building to scout their favorite high school prospects. Follow along throughout the day for live updates from the event on Kentucky’s top prospects.
[PREVIEW: Kentucky targets set to compete in this week’s adidas 3SSB Championships]
Caleb Holt, Game Elite win 3SSB Championship
07/13/2025 09:21:20 AMFive-star Kentucky target Caleb Holt polished off a terrific week by helping Game Elite win the adidas 3SSB Championship, 62-61, over D1 Minnesota early Sunday morning. Holt finished with 13 points (5-10 FG) and six rebounds in the title game, which admittedly wasn’t his best showing, but you won’t find many better players in this entire event than him. His co-star in the backcourt, four-star SG Colben Landrew, was also very impressive in the games I watched. UK assistant coach Jason Hart was baseline to soak in all the action.
Caleb Holt gets the best of Anthony Thompson in semis
07/12/2025 08:53:07 PMAnthony Thompson has been terrific this week, and that was the theme again during Saturday’s semifinals when he dropped 35 points with Jason Hart watching from the baseline. But Caleb Holt and Game Elite came away with the 88-78 win over Indiana Elite. Holt, who has been spectacular in every game I’ve watched in this event, and Game Elite advance to Sunday morning’s championship game.
Mark Pope makes his way back to Peach Jam
07/12/2025 04:11:37 PMAnd he’s joined this time around by assistant coach Alvin Brooks. Pope has made it a priority to get eyes on five-star small forward Tyran Stokes at the Nike EYBL circuit after starting his days this week in Rock Hill. Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey was also in attendance to watch Stokes.
Holt vs. Rippey Jr. lived up to the hype
07/12/2025 02:03:20 PMWith fans filling the main gym here in Rock Hill and dozens of college coaches doing the same, everyone was expecting a fun matchup between Deron Rippey Jr. (New Heights) and Caleb Holt (Game Elite) — two top Kentucky targets. Our wish was granted. Holt got the better of Rippey both individually and on the scoreboard, Game Elite winning by three after New Heights missed the game-tying triple at the buzzer. Mark Pope and Jason Hart were glued to this game. Holt looked like the best player on the floor. For the first time this week, Rippey was met with some resistance trying to get into the lane.
Jason Hart joins the party ahead of Rippey Jr. vs. Holt
07/12/2025 12:02:46 PMWith Cody Fueger at Peach Jam, another assistant, Jason Hart, has joined Mark Pope in Rock Hill. Hart popped in near the end of Tay Kinney’s win with Wildcat Select and just in time for a must-watch matchup between two major UK targets: Deron Rippey Jr. (New Heights) and Caleb Holt (Game Elite). Tipoff for the quarterfinal showdown is coming up momentarily — the gym is filling up quickly with coaches and fans.
Mark Pope back for another day
07/12/2025 10:43:20 AMAnd he’s spent the first two games of Saturday getting eyes on two of Kentucky’s top targets: Anthony Thompson (Indiana Elite) and Tay Kinney (Wildcat Select).
Putting a bow on day 2 at 3SSB
07/11/2025 08:22:08 PMAfter taking in two full days of action at the 3SSB Championships, I can confidently say 2027 wing Bruce Branch is the best player I’ve seen so far — he might just be the best player in this entire event. The 6-foot-7 rising junior has no problems playing up a level, getting buckets from all over the court while using his length as a weapon on defense. He wants to push the ball. Branch is simply impressive to watch, which Mark Pope and Cody Fueger agree with — they both saw Branch play both days. On that note, 2026 five-star Anthony Thompson isn’t too far behind Branch. While he might be skinnier than Branch, he looks even lankier. He’s gone for 35 and 30 in his two games I’ve watched. The outside shots were falling and he’s oddly comfortable around the rim. Twice he scored over a bigger defender at the rim despite being behind the backboard on the catch. Pope and Fueger paid close attention to him. For my money, they’re the two best players in Rock Hill, with Deron Rippey Jr. not far behind.
Mark Pope watching Tyran Stokes
07/11/2025 03:33:37 PMAccording to Joe Tipton, Mark Pope is among the groups of coaches watching Tyran Stokes the No. 1 player in the 2026 class. Also there: Eric Musselman (USC) and Mick Cronin (UCLA).
You have to see this Deron Rippey Jr. dunk…
07/11/2025 03:32:25 PMHoly moly.
Pope, Fueger watching Rippey Jr. vs. White III
07/11/2025 12:34:07 PMDeron Rippey Jr. and New Heights are off to an early lead over Billy White III and ASAK. Both are considered to be among Kentucky’s favorite targets in the 2026 class. Mark Pope and Cody Fueger are seated right at the baseline for this one.
Kentucky getting more eyes on Kinney, Thompson
07/11/2025 11:09:22 AMFor the second straight day, Mark Pope and Cody Fueger are paying close attention to Tay Kinney and Anthony Thompson. Pope is watching Kinney and Wildcat Select while Fueger is seated for Thompson and Indiana Elite. Despite the recent Louisville rumblings with Kinney, Kentucky continues to stay in the mix.
Caleb Holt locks in Kentucky OV
07/11/2025 10:00:50 AMAnother talented 2026 guard has scheduled an official visit with Kentucky. Five-star prospect Caleb Holt told KSR on Friday morning he’ll be in Lexington from Sept. 5-7. Holt has previously OV’d at Ole Miss and has two more on the schedule: Alabama (Oct. 3-5) and Auburn (Oct. 10-12).
Mark Pope gets an early start on Friday
07/11/2025 08:43:34 AMMark Pope and assistant coach Cody Fueger were in the gym early this morning to check out five-star guard Caleb Holt for the second straight day. Holt is in the process of setting up an official visit to Kentucky.
Anthony Thompson goes for 35
07/10/2025 06:28:04 PMWith Cody Fueger watching from the sidelines, five-star prospect Anthony Thompson put on a show for Indiana Elite. The 6-foot-8 wing went for 35 points in a 103-100 win over ETG. He was getting buckets in every way, including hitting the clutch free throws in the final seconds that sealed the win. Thompson is hearing from Kentucky weekly and views the Wildcats as true contenders in his recruitment.
Who has Pope been keeping an eye on?
07/10/2025 03:00:11 PMAs today’s schedule of games begins to wind down, I’ve seen Mark Pope and Cody Fueger pay close attention to a handful of notable Kentucky targets: Tay Kinney, Deron Rippey Jr., Caleb Holt, and Bruce Branch (2027). A couple more big-name targets, Anthony Thompson and Martay Barnes (2027), will take the court later this afternoon.
Deron Rippey Jr. locks in official visit
07/10/2025 02:04:12 PMAfter Kentucky offered a scholarship last month, Deron Rippey Jr. will take his official visit to Lexington from August 1-3, he told KSR. He also has upcoming official visits on the docket with North Carolina, Texas, Alabama, and Indiana. The 6-foot-2 point guard is considered the No. 17 overall recruit in the 2026 class by On3.
Mark Pope is in the building to watch Tay Kinney
07/10/2025 11:06:05 AMKentucky head coach Mark Pope and assistant coach Cody Fueger have made their way to Rock Hill for the first day of the live period. Both coaches are currently getting a first-hand look at Bluegrass native Tay Kinney for Wildcat Select in a matchup against Lu Dort Elite. Deron Rippey Jr., another Kentucky backcourt target, is playing on the court over — Pope and Fueger splitting time between watching the two talented guards.
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