Adidas Girls 3SSB Session II: Closing the Talent Gap
Session 2 was held in Bryan, TX during the May NCAA Eval Period
June 16, 2025
Held May 16-18, 2025 at Legends Event Center in Bryan, Texas, the Adidas Girls 3SSB Session II saw the 32 clubs of Adidas’s 3SSB Circuit take to the eight basketball courts over the three-day span. Almost all of the 32 clubs competed in each of the 17U, 16U and 15U divisions. Sponsored by Adidas and presented by Open Gym Premier, teams generally played four games (1 Friday, 2 Saturday and 1 Sunday). Approximately 220 college coaches (mostly NCAA Division 1) and approximately 40 media members were present for at least one day of the event with Session II held in Bryan for the third consecutive year. Session I (in April) and Session III (in July) are based in Rock Hill, South Carolina,
Closing the talent gap
Having attended NIKE’s EYBL stop in Hampton, Virginia, in April and speaking to other scouts/media, I would say that the EYBL circuit continues to have the greatest depth of high-level talent of all the circuits. With the seemingly ever-increasing number of circuits (Puma and New Balance are reportedly trying to get involved), the talent is more widespread than ever with Adidas having a decent share of quality players (note the number of players mentioned below as nationally ranked from this circuit). One Adidas staffer thought this stop at Bryan had as much individual talent as Adidas has ever had. Maybe so!
No paper scoresheets at the event but no crisis for media!
This was the first time I came across a large club event with all scoresheet data being entered totally electronically at the scorer’s table. The information could be found online at: www.sportsroadmap.com. It is hard to reach this site except by scanning an image in the coach’s packet. Typing in the web address did not work for me.
Do note that the people at the scorer’s table would let media look at the file and even get a printout of a particular game from a nearby printing station. I was so offered but just used the online information which was quite detailed.
Best team in Adidas 17U?
Good question with no clear answer as the top teams beat each other! Three teams (each with one of the most impressive 17U players at the event) stood out to me the most. All are 7-1 after Session II having only lost to each other. My favorite (baring departures and injuries) coming out of Bryan is 7 Days featuring multiple major D1 players led by Kaleena Smith. They defeated the Southeast All Stars 80-76 in Session I but lost to the NW Greyhounds 68-62 in one of the most exciting games of Session II. The Northwest Greyhounds are led by Oliviyah Edwards (our pick for player of the event). Earlier in Session II, they lost 66-54 to the Southeast All Stars led by Kate Harpring.
A couple of quality 15U teams
Scouts who scan 15U teams in the various circuits say Adidas’s Hoop Code 15U (8-0 after Bryan) could hang with any 15U team on any circuit. The team (mostly Arizona kids) starts multiple likely future major D1 players with closest wins being 79-55 over ETG out of Nebraska and 71-45 over Elevate Elite out of Virginia.
Another impressive 15U squad which had dominant results in Sessions I and II is Always 100 Elite (8-0) out of Indiana. Its closest league game was 62-38 over United Family (a team of Ohio-based players). Anyone attending the last Adidas stop in July in Rock Hill, South Carolina, should put a match-up of these two squads on a scouting schedule.
Here are six players who impressed me the most in Bryan. Having any on a team would make a coach sleep most comfortably at night.
Kolbi Brooks, 5-10, point guard, 2029, Hoop Code 15U (Desert Vista High School, Arizona)
To this writer, Brooks was the discovery of the event. Her team has multiple D1 prospects of mid-major to major levels so in some games she does not stand out as much. What makes her so noteworthy are the basis of elite point guard skills (handles, IQ, court vision, passing) along with the ability to score at all three levels and defend her opposite number. Given the 2029 players at USA 16U trials, she should have been there and should be on the radar of USA Basketball going forward. This is a player who should be monitored as a potential McDonald’s All-American down the road.
Oliviyah Edwards, 6-3, power forward, 2026, Northwest Greyhounds 17U (Elite Prep, Washington); PLAYER OF THE EVENT
The latest ESPN HoopGurlz ranking (out in June) has Edwards #2 in the 2026 class. Always considered one of the top athletes in the class, at the event she showed improved range hitting threes and mid-range shots plus an ability to finish at the rim left almost better than to her dominant right. Posting 29 points and 12 rebounds in the win versus 7 Days, and 15 points (6/8 from the field) and 8 rebounds in the loss versus Southeast All Stars, she was the best player in both contests regardless of stats.
Kate Harpring, 5-10, point guard, 2026, Southeast All Stars 17U (Marist School, Georgia)
Win or lose, Harpring (ranked #4 in the new HoopGurlz rankings) competes at an elite level playing hard at both ends. Her presence seems to encourage other (even elite) players to share the ball. Offensively, she can score at all three levels but penetration to the rim (right or left) or drive and dish are her prime offensive weapons.
Eve Long, 6-3, power forward, 2027, Southwest Select 17U (Olathe South High School, Kansas)
Long recently made the USA U16 team. After watching her intelligent/skilled post play in Texas, such was not surprising. She is now ranked #9 in the latest ESPN HoopGurlz rankings for 2027. She is a graceful finisher at (and sometimes slightly above) the rim.
2027 Eve Long
Kaleena Smith, 5-6, point guard, 2027, Seven Days 17U (Ontario Christian High School, California)
Ranked #1 for 2027 by HoopGurlz, Smith can score at all three levels, is a fine passer with high basketball IQ and quick on defense. She posted 30+ in her team’s win over the Southeast All Stars in April and 22 points in her team’s loss to the Northwest Greyhounds.
Nation Williams, 6-3, power forward, 2027, Utah Lady Prospects 17U (Centennial High School, Nevada)
Recently making the USA U16 squad, Williams (HoopGurlz #11 in 2027) helped lead her team to a 7-1 record through the first two 3SSB sessions. A regular double-digit scorer, she produced or came close to a double-double (with rebounds) in several contests.
Below are some of the players (names listed as at the event) who showed out in a noteworthy fashion in at least one game. Listing is alphabetical by class with listed height, position, club team (school information as available in parenthesis). All players listed below will or are likely to be recruited at the mid-major NCAA Division 1 level or higher.
2026
Fope Ayo, 6-5, center, Mass Rivals 17U (Austin Prep, Massachusetts)
Ranked #34 by HoopGurlz), Ayo [note: there are variations of her name at different events] is strongly built with low post scoring and rim protection ability on defense. Adequately mobile, her offense needs to become more productive on a game-to-game basis but seeing her some months before this, her game appears to be progressing and as coaches will say, “you can’t teach height!”
Gigi Battle, 5-11, small forward, CFE 17U (DME Academy, Florida)
Ranked #42 in 2026 by HoopGurlz, Battle was CFE’s best two-way player in Bryan. She plays hard on defense and is a strong penetrator offensively. With offers from Power 4 down, improving range is probably her greatest need.
Alliyah Bell, 6-4, power forward, Minnesota Stars Hill 17U (Minot High School, North Dakota)
Ranked at #62 by ESPN HoopGurlz for the 2026 class, Bell combines a strong presence (appears more strongly built than seen about a year ago) in the paint with the ability to step out on to the perimeter to hit the three. At times, she could be a bit more active (to get open) and play harder.
Arynn Finley, 5-9, shooting guard, 7 Days17U (Etiwanda High School, California)
Ranked #40 in 2026 by HoopGurlz, Finley is a player (with perimeter stroke) knowing how to work with other high-quality athletes, playing in high school for Etiwanda High School which has won the difficult California Open Division the last two years. Here she plays with Kaleena Smith who she opposes in high school.
Danyella Mporokoso, 5-7, point guard, M14Hoops 17U (Waubonsie Valley High School, Illinois)
Ranked #50 for 2026 by HoopGurlz, Mporokoso carried a heavy load running her team much of the time and being its leading scorer (16.75 ppg) with limited help. She can get on a three-point roll hitting four in each of two games at Bryan.
2027
Avery Arije, 6-0, guard/forward, Sol United 16U (Crestwood Prep, Ontario, Canada)
Last seem at NIKE TOC in December, this lefty (ranked #27 in 2027 by HoopGurlz) again impressed with her all-around game able to attack the rim with a perimeter shot that needs to be respected. Her efforts helped make her team one of the best in the Adidas 3SSB 16U Division through two stops.
A’Zyua Blair, 5-6, guard, JP Fam Hoops 17U (Houston Christian, Texas)
Medium in build, Blair is a combo guard who can shoot the three, pull up at mid-range or attack the rim. Word in the gym was that she has interest from majors down. Only concern to majors might be height, but there a lot of variety to her offensive game to counter this.
Wrigley Green, 5-9, shooting guard, Texas Lonestar 17U (Argyle High School, Texas)
Argyle continues to crank out players of various D1 levels and Green is certainly in the Argyle mold. She plays smart, taking what the defense gives her on offense and is active on defense. Adequate athletically, she may not be a major D1 prospect out of high school, but with continued progression and the high volume of transfers, down the line in college who knows.
Lauren Hassell, 6-3, forward, United Family 17U (Clarksville Christian School, Tennessee)
Ranked #12 for 2027 by HoopGurlz, Hassell is strongly built but very mobile. Hassell plays in and outside the paint. Scoring is primarily at mid-range and in the key. For the four games in Bryan, she averaged 16.25 ppg and 11.0 rpg.
Lily McCracken, 5-9, guard, Hoop Code 16U (Notre Dame Prep, Arizona)
Considered one of the top players in Arizona’s 2027 class, McCracken shot the ball well (win or lose) averaging 22.5 ppg as her team went 3-1 in Bryan. She has offers from the major D1 level down. One may question her athletic long-term upside but McCracken can “make it go in” and effective shooters are usually in demand.
Aleah Sunkins, 6-0, small forward, Gauchos 17U (Franklin High School, New Jersey)
A good athlete with above average motor, Sunkins showed an ability to score at mid-range and attack the rim. Word in the gym has her with offers from major D1 down
2028
Dakhari Blankumsee, 5-11, guard, MW Next Level 17U (Winton Woods High School, Ohio)
Considered to be one of the best of Ohio’s 2028 class, Blankumsee (known as “Strawberry”) averaged 18.0 ppg for the four games in Bryan as her team went 3-1. Ranked #9 by HoopGurlz for the 2028 class, she has a nice feel for the game (advanced for a freshman) scoring mostly at mid-range and attacking the rim. Getting more consistent scoring behind the arc might be something to work on.
Aaniyah Branch 6-4, center, Team Elite Hubbard 15U (Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, Georgia)
Knowing this player for several years, superior athleticism has always been there, just needing to match up the skills. In Bryan, she averaged 12.5 ppg and 8.0 rpg helping her team to a 3-1 record. The upside is major but still a work in progress.
Sutton Villa, 6-6, center, Utah Lady Prospects 16U (Pleasant Grove High School, Utah)
Ranked #8 in the new HoopGurlz rankings for 2028, one could call her literally and figuratively the next “big thing” out of Utah. Strong but agile in build with good hands, Villa is mobile just developing range away from the basket. This is another post player which USA Basketball should be monitoring.
Hannah Waite, 5-8, point guard, Utah Lady Prospects15U (Virgin Valley High School, Utah)
Waite impressed with her ability to run a team, handles, court vision and ability to hit the three. She helped her team to 8-0 through the first two stops on the circuit.
2029
Geralynn Byers-Veal, 6-1, small forward, SW Select 16U (Westlake High School, Texas)
Having above average athlete with superior basketball IQ and passing abilities, this is a major D1 talent just needing to develop consistent shooting range. Through two circuit events, her team is 7-1.
Chloe Jenkins, 5-11, small forward, Hoop Code 15U (Ontario Christian High School, California)
Another player with major D1 upside, Jenkins is athletic (good ups). She showed versatile offense able to attack the basket, has perimeter stoke and above average court vision to boot!