Over the summer, a few top matchup’s on the adidas grassroots basketball circuit were featured on ESPNU’s ‘Summer of Next’ basketball series.  The first was the championship and third place game of the 17u Division at the adidas Summer Championship in Las Vegas, NV.  HallPass Media transformed the Cashman Center into a flashy showcase of prep basketball.  The featured court was the same used the week before at the Thomas and Mack Center for the NBA Summer League and was complimented by stadium seating, a DJ, and an 18′ video wall behind the baseline.  Mass Rivals, who had lost in the championship game on ESPNU the previous summer, took home the hardware this year.

The following week over 80 of the top high school players from around the world came to Los Angeles for the adidas Nations camp. Over four days, these top athletes had the opportunity to hone their skills under the guidance of elite coaches. A mix of skill and development drills and scrimmages took place culminating with a showcase and championship game broadcasted live on ESPNU.  In the showcase game Class of 2017 Team Rose beat Team Africa 105-92.   And in the adidas Global Nations Championship game, Class of 2017 Team Harden defeated Team Canada 123-96 with UCLA bound guard Jaylen Hands earning MVP honors.