May 2026

NextGen Team 3SSB made history in Athens, Greece, becoming the first-ever 3SSB squad to compete in the adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals — and the group wasted little time proving it belonged on one of international basketball’s biggest grassroots stages.

Led by longtime NBA and NBA G League coach Tom Hankins alongside veteran NBA coach Bill Bayno and two-time EuroLeague Finals champion Dogus Balbay, the team finished 2-1 overall and placed third in the tournament despite entering the event as the youngest team in the field.

Throughout the week, Hankins and staff emphasized selflessness, physicality and coachability while helping the group quickly adapt to FIBA rules and the distinct style of play that defines European basketball. The buy-in showed immediately, as the group competed with toughness, confidence and togetherness from start to finish against some of the top U18 clubs in the world.

3SSB opened the event with one of the tournament’s biggest statements, knocking off reigning adidas NextGen EuroLeague champion Zalgiris Kaunas, 104-93. Few expected the Americans take down the defending champions, but 3SSB’s pace, athleticism and downhill pressure proved difficult to contain throughout the contest.

Jalen Davis set the tone with a dominant all-around performance, finishing with 26 points and six steals while consistently pressuring the rim and creating havoc defensively. The talented guard’s blend of pace, instincts and multi-level shot-making translated seamlessly to the international stage and helped establish him as one of the premier perimeter players in attendance.

The win over Zalgiris not only provided a major confidence boost, but also reinforced that 3SSB was capable of competing with — and beating — some of the top developmental programs in Europe.

The group followed that performance with another impressive showing against Crvena Zvezda, securing a 97-84 victory to move to 2-0 in group play. While the opener showcased the team’s firepower and athleticism, the second game highlighted the connectivity, unselfishness and resilience that became increasingly evident throughout the week.

Nasir Anderson orchestrated the offense brilliantly, nearly posting a triple-double with 18 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds while controlling tempo and consistently creating quality opportunities for teammates. His poise, feel and ability to impact the game in multiple areas stood out all weekend long.

Davis added another 20 points in the victory, continuing his impressive tournament run, while Blaze Johnson chipped in 14 points and provided valuable two-way production on the perimeter.

Facing FC Barcelona in the final game of group play, 3SSB battled one of Europe’s premier developmental programs before ultimately falling 101-84. Despite the loss, the experience provided another valuable measuring stick for a young group continuing to adapt to the physicality, discipline and execution required in the international game.

Finishing 2-1 overall and placing third in the tournament represented a major accomplishment for a roster featuring several underclassmen and players competing against older, more experienced opposition.

Davis ultimately earned All-Tournament Team honors after averaging 23.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game across the event, further solidifying himself as one of the top 2008-born prospects in the world.

Despite losing five-star prospect Jordan Page to injury prior to competition, the group remained connected throughout the week and continued finding ways to compete at a high level against elite opposition.

Beyond the results on the floor, the week served as an invaluable developmental experience for the entire group. The opportunity to compete internationally, learn the nuances of FIBA basketball and experience a different culture added another layer to the trip’s significance. The event concluded with a visit to the historic Acropolis, providing the players with a memorable and eye-opening experience away from the court as well.

From the opening win over defending champion Zalgiris to a third-place finish on one of international basketball’s biggest stages, NextGen Team 3SSB made a strong statement in Athens and further reinforced the growing global presence of the 3SSB platform.

NextGen Team 3SSB

• Jalen Davis – established himself as one of the premier guards in attendance throughout the tournament (23.7 PPG)

• Nasir Anderson – impacted winning in a variety of ways and served as the engine of the offense (9.7 APG)

• Blaze Johnson – earned the event’s ‘Rising Star’ award after a productive three-game showing (12.0 PPG)

• Josiah Rose – the talented lefty guard’s toughness, confidence and scoring instincts translated well against older competition (13.3 PPG)

• K’Nard Callendar – brought an elite motor and activity level while leading the team in rebounding (6.3 RPG) and stocks (3.6 combined blocks + steals per game)

• Mason Grivna – played beyond his years as an interior presence while cleaning up the glass and protecting the rim (2.3 BPG)

• Cole Kelly – provided size, depth and versatility, filling up the box score in a variety of ways (9.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.7 SPG)

• RJ Evans – flashed his budding athleticism and contagious energy throughout the week, consistently competing with toughness and activity whenever called upon

• Xavier Hall – showed flashes of his long-term upside throughout the event, deterring plenty of shots near the rim (2.3 BPG)

• Ahmed Nur – size, length and skill to the frontcourt rotation while competing hard on both ends of the floor, flashing his high-level two-way potential