Months of roster building, development and three highly-competitive 3SSB sessions all led to one destination: Rock Hill. The journey began in Ladera Ranch, California, continued through Mishawaka, Indiana, and Bryan, Texas, with a June break that saw select players compete on the international stage at the adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals in Athens, Greece and Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy before returning for one final championship push. Every stop along the way served as a proving ground for prospects and programs alike, but only three teams would finish on top. Here’s a look back at the championship games in the 17U, 16U and 15U divisions, highlighting the defining moments and standout performances that closed the book on the 2026 3SSB season — because the road ends at Rock.
17U Championship | New Heights (NY) vs. Mass Rivals (MA) New Heights claimed bragging rights in an East Coast showdown, defeating Mass Rivals 66-64 in a game that was more controlled than the final score suggested. The victory capped a remarkable 18-1 summer for New Heights, with the program’s lone defeat coming in a narrow 78-75 loss to Midwest Basketball Club in Bryan, Texas the week prior. Big guard Kamari Whyte led a balanced offensive attack with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, while Caleb Lundy added 12 points by shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line and 3-for-4 from the field. On the interior, Kamsi Awaka anchored the paint – as per usual – with 10 points and 9 rebounds, and the trio’s production, coupled with valuable contributions from the bench, proved too much to overcome. Mass Rivals was powered by an unforgettable performance from top-25 guard Antonio Pemberton, who poured in 33 points while adding five assists and four rebounds, repeatedly creating offense from all three levels to cap an outstanding week in Rock Hill and further cement his legacy as one of the program’s all-time greatest players.
16U Championship | Team Loaded (VA) vs. Midwest Basketball Club (OH)
The 16U championship delivered everything fans could ask for, with Team Loaded topping Midwest Basketball Club 58-57 after 2028 forward Hudson Hatch buried a game-winning jumper out of a timeout with only a few seconds left on the clock. Hatch answered in the biggest moment after surrendering a basket on the previous possession, showcasing poise while lifting his team to the title. He and Xavier Hall controlled the paint throughout the contest, combining for 32 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks to provide the interior presence that ultimately proved decisive. Midwest Basketball Club matched every punch in a championship-caliber performance behind Keonte Smith’s 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Jake Saxton scored 15 points and came away with 4 steals, stretching the defense with his shooting and making timely plays on the defensive end. Class of 2029 forward Carson Trenz also made his presence felt with 9 points and 10 rebounds, helping fuel a back-and-forth battle that lived up to the championship stage until the final shot.
15U Championship | Team Loaded (VA) vs. Austin Rivers Southeast Elite (FL)
Not to be outdone by the 16U team, Team Loaded’s 15U squad closed out the weekend with a 72-60 victory over Austin Rivers Southeast Elite, completing a flawless 18-0 summer while dominating the competition by an average of +23.1 points per contest. Floor general King Bacot orchestrated the offense from start to finish, posting 14 points, 10 assists and 4 rebounds, while Kaedyn Cole matched him with a team-high 14 points despite attempting just five field goals, doing most of his damage by knocking down 10 of 13 free throws and controlling the glass with 11 rebounds. The turning point came when Niles Mason, who finished with a key 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting, began attacking downhill with confidence, generating quality looks and extending Team Loaded’s advantage down the stretch. Southeast Elite countered with a well-balanced effort that featured four starters in double-figures, paced by Austin Triggs’ 15 points and Avery Jones’ 12, but couldn’t slow the tournament’s most dominant squad from completing its flawless run.