Adidas 3SSB Championship Day 1 Notebook: Takeaways from key IU basketball targets and other Live Period highlights

The Adidas 3SSB Championship has officially began down in Rock Hill, South Carolina and while there have already been a few games this week, today was the official start of tournament play on our way to crowning a 3SSB Palmetto Road Champion for 2025, 2026, and 2027. Today was also the first official day that D1 coaches could be out and IU basketball had a presence as expected.

IU basketball assistant coaches Kenya Hunter and Brian Walsh were down in Rock Hill to check out some of the key basketball targets for the Hoosiers. Mike Woodson and Yasir Rosemond were down in Atlanta to check out other prospects down there as well.

There were many standouts players throughout the day and HoosierIllustrated.com was able to check out a bunch of the action throughout the loaded day of action.

It is time empty out my notebook and reveal some of my key takeaways from the IU basketball targets and much more.

Related: Indiana basketball recruiting target Jalen Haralson wins gold at FIBA U17 World Cup

Trent Sisley and Braylon Mullins shine in bounce back from Indiana Elite 2025

The start of the week for Indiana Elite 2025 was a little odd to say the least. After going undefeated all through the spring, the insanely talented squad dropped their two showcase games both Tuesday and Wednesday of this week when they arrived to Rock Hill. Luckily, those losses did not count towards the Palmetto Road Championship Tournament and they were able to steamroll in their opening round game today vs Team One of Us 88-72.

Like it has been a lot of times when this group is together, Indiana Elite was led by two of arguably the most important IU basketball targets in the 2025 class, Trent Sisley and Braylon Mullins with each dropping 22 points on the way to victory. Sisley was able to get his through 10-of-12 shooting while adding four rebounds, as well. Mullins shot 9-of-16 from the field adding four rebounds and five assists also.

This game was the type of performance that we are used to seeing from this Indian Elite squad as they are arguably the most dominant AAU team in the country. Fellow IU basketball target and teammate of both Sisley and Mullins, four-star center Malachi Moreno, only had 5 points but was able to contribute 5 rebounds as well.

Sisley recently announced that he will be transferring to Montverde Academy for his senior season so that leaves Braylon Mullins as the odds on favorite to win Indiana Mr. Basketball. Both Brian Walsh and Kenya Hunter were in attendance to watch all the IU basketball prospects this game, as well.

Indiana Elite will be in action tomorrow facing Team Lillard at 11 PM ET.

2025 5-star Nate Ament leads Team Loaded to big win

Nate Ament is a 5-star for a reason but he’s a quiet star and he showed that on Thursday afternoon. It was a terrific game between Team Loaded (Va.) and Team Tradition (Ind.) and Ament made massive plays late in the game to lead Team Loaded to a six point win. Ament finished with 19 points on 6-of-14 shooting and 12 rebounds. He also added four blocks and three steals. It’s how he impacted the game and when he impacted the game that stood out most.

Ament had just six points on 1-of-5 shooting in the first half. While he drew five fouls, he deferred a lot to other teammates like Kaden Magwood (24 points) and failed to find a rhythm because of the choppy possessions when he attacked. In the second half, he took over — especially down the stretch. Ament had 13 points in the second half alone, including 12 in the last 8:42 of the game. Ament showcased his versatility with his ability to step out and hit from three — making two 3s in a four possession span — and also his ability to drive against any type of defender. Some notable possessions late in the game, he took a defender off the dribble from the top of the key, spun back middle from his left and finished with his length above the rim. After missing a three with the lead around the 2:45 mark, in a two possession game, he drove from the right wing to the left block, had a hard pivot and spun back allowing him to finish at the rim in a critical sequence.

At 6-foot-9, his size is real. He also has a legit wingspan that impacts the game on both ends of the floor. He held Michael Cooper — a standout from Jefferson (Ind.) and Team Tradition to just 5-of-14 from the field. Ament was very good on the glass and gives his team the ability to push the pace immediately with his ability to grab the rebound and go.

Overall, it wasn’t Ament’s most efficient performance, but his ability to quietly take over games was on display in the second half. He just makes winning plays and rarely forces the issue.

2027 Name to Watch: Jason Gardner Jr.

One of the top younger prospects in the state, and eventually in the country, is 2027 Indiana Elite guard Jason Gardner Jr., who attends Fishers High School. He makes up for one of the most dynamic freshman backcourts in the state alongside fellow classmate Cooper Zackery with the young duo helping lead Fishers to winning the Class 4A State Championship.

Gardner Jr. has started to get his name noticed out on the AAU scene as he has started to become one on the more talked about underclassmen on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit. His straight line quickness on the ball may be the most impressive part of his game which easily allows him to change direction and be an elite playmaker getting to the rim or facilitating on a kick0out. He is also a very capable shooter as well and has only gotten better and better in that area over the past year.

While he is not officially on the radar of IU basketball, he most certainly will be. Mike Woodson likes dynamic guards and he has one right now in his backyard.

Off the Radar: Jeffersonville trio continue to trend up

On a national level, they may not be as well-known as some but if you are a diehard fan of Indiana High School basketball, you know just how talented the Jeffersonville trio of Tre Singleton, PJ Douglas, and Michael Cooper are. In their tough loss to Nate Ament and Team Loaded, the 2025 trio shined on the biggest stage, continuing their upward trend.

The scoring clinic that they three put on during the opening road of the 3SSB tournament was super fun to see. Out of the 58 points that Team Traction scored in their loss, the trio scored 46 of those points with Singleton leading the way with 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting adding 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. He has Miami (OH), Indiana State, Kent State, Western Kentucky, St. Louis, Northwestern, Ball State, and others

Douglas and Cooper both added 14 points for this game. Cooper is a dynamic combo guard that has really burst onto the scene this AAU season becoming a surefire D1 prospect. He has offers from schools such as Le Moyne College, Eastern Illinois, Bellarmine University, Wright State, IU-Indianapolis, Davidson. Douglas is one of the more physical wings you will see and a player that excels on doing all the little things while also being a good scorer. He recently got an offer from Bellarmine but will likely have more on the way before this week is over.

Oh, and if you didn’t know, they are coached by former IU basketball standout Sherron Wilkerson, who is on the path to leading this group to a 4A State Championship next season.

(Kyler Staley and Alec Lasley contributed to this article)

SEE ALSO: Indiana basketball offers wing Babatunde Oladotun — expected top-5 prospect in 2027

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