ROCK HILL, South Carolina – Legends do legendary things.
Kaleena Smith, the nation’s No. 1-ranked prospect in the Class of 2027—better known as “Special K”—left her mark in her final adidas 3SSB game.
For much of the championship, it appeared Smith and defending 17U champion 7 Days had finally met their match in Southwest Select. The two teams had met during the regular season, with 7 Days escaping despite Southwest Select star Eve Long erupting for a career-high 50 points and creating a difficult matchup throughout.
But when the game was on the line, Smith delivered a legendary performance. She finished with 40 points on just 23 field-goal attempts, taking over the closing minutes of regulation to lead 7 Days to a 63-58 victory and its second 3Stripes Select championship.
The defining sequence came with 1:33 remaining. Isolated on the left wing, Smith made a move that could only be described as ballet with a basketball, creating space for a step-back three that cut the deficit to 55-53. Less than 10 seconds later, she buried another deep three from the opposite wing, and in an instant Kaleena Smith had become “Special K.”
With 34 seconds remaining and 7 Days leading by two, Smith came off a high ball screen and forced a switch, leaving the 6-foot-4 Long defending her nearly 20 feet from the basket. Smith broke her down off the dribble, rose for a contested mid-range jumper, and buried it to push the lead to two possessions—a margin 7 Days would never surrender.
The 16U and 15U adidas 3SSB championship games were equally memorable.
It took gritty defense and a barrage of three-pointers for 7 Days to outlast Hardwood Elite, 77-72, in the 16U title game. Both teams placed four players in double figures, with Hardwood Elite getting a masterpiece from JoJo Martin, who finished with 24 points, five rebounds, and four assists. For 7 Days, Brianna Mendez and Arayah Soriano combined for eight of the team’s 11 three-pointers to secure the championship.
The 15U championship between ETG Midwest and META Hoops went back and forth before ETG pulled away for a 50-46 victory. The duo of Mayci Dolliver (16 points, five assists) and Paige Gargano (16 points, six rebounds) proved too much for META to overcome.
TOP PERFORMERS
Berkley Jones of META Hoops, out of Boise, Idaho, capped a brilliant 3SSB season by finishing third in 17U scoring and leading her team to the Classic Bracket championship. She scored 36 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a two-point quarterfinal victory over CFE.
Corrine Lomax of Mass Rivals finished her summer in spectacular fashion, posting 24 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Purple Aces before following it with 34 points and nine rebounds in a narrow loss to Southeast All Stars. She has a legitimate case as one of July’s biggest risers.
Chloe Miller has all the tools to emerge as a nationally recruited perimeter player for Hardwood Elite. She plays with outstanding pace and fluidity, consistently creating advantages against a wide variety of defensive schemes.
Nation Williams’ return from USA Basketball immediately tested Utah Lady Prospects. Forced to win two play-in games just to reach the championship bracket, Williams responded with 31 points and 15 rebounds in a Sweet 16 upset of the previously unbeaten NW Greyhounds.
Avery Arije also missed Session II while representing Canada. She helped her national team reach the semifinals before returning to post her best 3SSB performance of the summer with 28 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in a heartbreaking loss to Southwest Select.
Santana Sabus of Hardwood Elite finished fifth in 17U scoring and reached double figures in every game in Rock Hill. Her best outing came with 23 points and six rebounds in a Sweet 16 victory over META Hoops.
Leah Awe of Purple Aces enjoyed a breakout season. Her performance in Rock Hill solidified her status as one of the fastest-rising prospects in the Class of 2028. While her averages of 13.3 points and 6.0 rebounds stand out, it’s her versatility and continued development that have evaluators taking notice nationally.
Alannah Morantus of Mass Rivals continued to make waves this summer. When she and Lomax were both clicking, they formed one of the nation’s most dangerous backcourts. Morantus was especially impressive against Texas Lonestar, finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
Jaliyah Diggs of MN Metro Stars was outstanding on both ends of the floor. She recorded multiple steals in all but one game while consistently producing offensively.
Journey Atkins of the New York Gauchos continues to impact winning on both ends. Tasked with guarding the opponent’s top scorer, she still averaged 12.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
Lucia Mayorquin of NW Greyhounds 16U did it again. After leading 15U in scoring a year ago, she captured the 16U scoring title this summer. Following the injury to point guard Dilyn Johnson, Mayorquin elevated her play even further, averaging 24.7 points per game and scoring 30 or more five times during July.
Sydney Michalkiewicz of Purple Aces 16U finished second behind Mayorquin in scoring. The Class of 2028 combo guard averaged 19.9 points per game while shooting an incredible 44.7 percent from three-point range.
Ella Watts of Southeast All Stars was one of the most dominant players in 16U 3SSB. A true box-score stuffer and matchup nightmare, she earned dozens of Power Four scholarship offers this summer.
Janaya Carter is a 2028 guard to keep an eye on. The explosive playmaker from Lady Phenom United erupted for multiple 20-point performances while leading her team to the 16U semifinals.
Claire Stoops of Southeast All Stars continues to come into her own. Her aggressive, dynamic play at the guard position took another step forward competing at the 16U level. Just a rising freshman, she averaged 16.8 points and 4.4 rebounds during the championship weekend as Southeast All Stars reached the quarterfinals.
Caylin Cox of SOL United is one of the toughest guards in the 2028 class. Her physicality and consistent scoring ability make her a player to watch entering her junior season.
NEW FACES
Treyanna Ritter of Hardwood Nation 15 was a walking double-double. The Class of 2030 post finished the season averaging 17.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
Seylah Bains of AthElite 15U put on a scoring clinic in Rock Hill, topping 20 points in four of five games despite being just a member of the Class of 2032.
Peytan Pugh of the New York Gauchos showcased her ability to do whatever her team needed—score, facilitate, create turnovers, or control the game. The 2029 guard belongs on national watch lists moving forward.
Peytan Frazier of Team Elite drew plenty of attention in Rock Hill. The 2029 forward possesses outstanding physical tools and an endless motor. Her averages of 18.5 points and 7.4 rebounds only scratch the surface of her potential.
Camilla Poraj-Kuczewski of META Hoops 15U delivered several monster performances while leading her team to the championship game. Her 23-point, 10-rebound semifinal performance set the tone. Most impressive is that her production comes without designed touches every possession—she simply has a knack for finding the basketball.
Kailee Maldonado, Poraj-Kuczewski’s teammate on META Hoops, controlled the game from the point guard position and emerged as one of the breakout players in the 15U division.
Kylee Mickelsen of Utah Lady Prospects Select kept producing game after game in Rock Hill. One of only a handful of players to average a double-double, the Class of 2030 prospect still has tremendous room for growth.
Awards
MVP: Kaleena Smith (7 Days)
First Team: Nation Williams (Utah Lady Prospects), Eve Long (Southwest Select), Berkley Jones (META Hoops), Avery Arije (United Mission), Jessie Moses (Southeast All Stars)
Rising Star: Chloe Jenkins (7 Days)
Defensive MVP: Gabrielle Fajemirokun (United Mission)
Legends Rise, New Stars Emerge as adidas 3SSB Crowns Champions in Rock Hill