The On3 Awards: Adidas 3SSB Circuit, session two
Spartanburg, South Carolina – The Adidas 3SSB Circuit brought their talent to South Carolina for session two. It was a live recruiting period for college coaches, so they were baseline throughout.
On3 was courtside for the entire Adidas 3SSB event, and here are the awards as we saw things play out.
Most Valuable Player
6-9 PF Flory Bidunga
It was hard not to be mesmerized by the explosive and powerful Flory Bidunga. The 6-foot-9 forward burst on the scene during the first live recruiting period a couple of weeks ago, and the 2024 forward’s play has not slowed down.
The Indiana Elite 16u team went 4-0 for the session. It was hard not to notice Bidunga’s vicious dunks and his menacing rebounding prowess. He moves differently, powerfully yet fluidly, from most players his size. The native of The Congo finishes through contact with regularity. They played the last game of the last day; Kermit Davis (Ole Miss), Matt Painter (Purdue), and Micah Shrewsberry (Penn State) all stuck around to watch. Expect a high ranking in On3’s next 2024 update.
Most Outstanding Player
6-5 SG Ian Jackson
Ian Jackson is the No. 2 player in On3’s 2024 ranking, so he walked through the doors with a target on his back. The 6-foot-5 Jackson answered every challenge with production and a little flair.
Jackson is a confident guard, able to handle, shoot, and pass with a long and fluid frame. UCLA, Duke, Kentucky, and Oregon were at most of his games throughout the weekend. Jackson plays with a competitive fire on both ends of the floor. He can also create offense for himself and others. A class of 2024 prospect playing up in the 17u division, Jackson still shines.
Best in (under)class
6-4 PG Jerry Easter
There is a reason Kentucky and Duke made the trek off-site to go watch Jerry Easter and his Superfriends team. The 2025 point guard has an elite feel for the game. In the open floor, his ability to create angles off the bounce and manipulate passes to his teammates is beautiful. This weekend he was the type of point guard who can take over a game without needing to score a point. Even with the double teams and junk defenses, Easter could create offense efficiently. Oh, and he averaged over 18 points per game during this Adidas 3SSB stop. Only a class of 2025 prospect, he already claims offers from Michigan State, Ohio State, South Carolina, UCLA, and more.
Defensive Player
6-11 C Somto Cyril
Somto Cyril is a rim protector in the truest sense of the word. Many tested him at the rim, and he sent all of them back. He is also an excellent rebounder, cleaning up the defensive glass and a threat for offensive put-backs off soft misses. While Cyril will need to continue working on his offensive repertoire, he is a game-changing defensive presence. Multiple programs from every high-major conference made it a point to watch Cyril at least once this weekend.
First Team
6-5 SG Jakobe Walter
High School: McKinney (TX) High
AAU: Team Trae Young
2023 On3 Consensus: No. 22
Recruitment: Has taken official visits to Auburn and Alabama. Will take an official visit to Texas next weekend. Is setting up visits with Kansas and Baylor.
6-8 PF Rashaud Marshall
High School: Blytheville (AR) High
AAU: Arkansas Hawks
2023 On3 Consensus: NA
Recruitment: Only visit has been an unofficial to Ole Miss. Recently added Kansas and Missouri.
6-7 F Elijah Fisher
High School: Toronto (CAN) Crestwood Academy
AAU: Elite 6
2023 On3 Consensus: No. 33
Recruitment: Only official visit has been to Texas Tech. G-League remains an option.
6-5 SG Freddie Dilione
High School: Raleigh (NC) Word of God
AAU: Team Loaded NC
2023 On3 Consensus: NA (On3 No. 60)
Recruitment: VCU has long been the perceived leader. Minnesota, Alabama, Texas A&M recently offered.
6-8 F Ladji Dembele
High School: Newark (NJ) St. Benedict’s Prep
AAU: NY Jayhawks
2023 On3 Consensus: NA
Recruitment: Wake Forest lone offer.