Phenom Hoops had a great opportunity to check out the Team Loaded 3SSB team, especially some of the younger programs. Team Loaded 2028 3SSB has some intriguing prospects to look out for this year and down the road; while watching them at the Phenom Tip-Off, the duo guard of 2028 Damari Smith and 2028 Damien Robinson really captured my eyes and should be a strong force in leading the charge. They played well off each other, they were dynamic playmakers, and they were both a force on the court. We break down what we saw from each at the event.
2028 Damari Smith (Team Loaded):
When watching Smith operate on the court, he brings a unique feel and mindset to the court. He showed on several occasions of being more of that scoring presence on the floor, looking to be assertive and attack, look for his shot, and create strong off the bounce. Whether he was knocking down shots with his pull-up game off the bounce, penetrating the defense to finish, or scoring off the catch, Smith just has a knack for being able to be an effective scoring option but also be a playmaker for his teammates.
2028 Damien Robinson (Team Loaded):
The other guard to really look at as he continues to develop is Robinson, a guard who brings more of a true point guard feel to the court. He looks to control the game, plays at his pace, can run the show, and uses his quickness in a variety of ways also. Robinson is a smart and crafty creator hat just makes things happen, creating to make plays for himself as well as for others. Overall, Robinson has that point-guard mentality in helping run the show and control the game.
Virginia has been known for some intriguing talent coming out of the state, and these two guards should be some of the next talents to come from the area. Make sure you jump on the train now, as you will hear their names more in the coming months and years.