Strictly Bball has made a splash in today’s new age basketball media scene. Owning a TikTok account that has over 2.8 million followers, founders Joe Doerrer and Nolan Newberg have masted the art of basketball storytelling in short form. The duo has rapidly expanded over the past half a decade, partnering with the NBA amidst countless other national brands that you have heard of. Strictly Bball sponsors a team in the Twin Cities Pro-Am and for the second year in a row, brought some of the nation’s top talent to Minneapolis for the Strictly Bball 3×3 Nationals.
Bringing in elite talent from Georgia, Utah, Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas, and Minnesota, the Strictly Bball 3×3 Nationals brought in approximately 25 players who will be playing on TV at the D1 level within the next few years. Five star Taylen Kinney of Overtime Elite was handing out his 6’7 water to fans, a DJ was spinning some hot tracks, and approximately 1500 or so people showed out to see some of the nation’s finest go at it. Ultimately, it was Team Minnesota that wound up winning the event, but there were a number of others who put on a show. While there were no shortage of four and five star players, there were also a number of other players who showed that they could hold their own with some of the nation’s finest.
Here are the players who saw their stock rise from the Strictly Bball 3×3 Nationals:
Yusef Gray Jr., 6’3, PG/SG, West Allis Central HS (WI), 2026
A dog on both ends of the floor, Yusef Gray Jr. was the best two way guard that the Strictly Bball 3×3 Nationals had to offer. He is a super tough finisher through contact, plays elite on ball defense on either backcourt spot, and has made continual growth over the years as a lead guard. The Milwaukee product is a consensus top-100 player headed to Iowa State next year, where his gritty style of play will fit in perfectly with T.J. Otzelberger’s system.
Willie Foster, 6’2, SG, Lima Senior (OH), 2026
The most explosive player at the Strictly Bball 3×3 Nationals was Willie Foster, a super explosive guard from Ohio. He was an insane finisher off of cuts, is a constant threat for tip dunks as an offensive rebounder, and is an improving 3-point shooter. Foster already holds over a half dozen mid-major offers with Cal and Purdue jumping into the picture recently with his recruitment.
Ty Schlagel, 6’6, SF, Cretin Derham-Hall (MN), 2027
One of the few underclassmen who played in the event, Ty Schlagel certainly showed that he could hold his own against many of the nation’s finest at the Strictly Bball 3×3 Nationals. Schlagel is a super cerebral wing whose crafty play was on display, as seen with his championship winning bucket. He has effortless range, can post smaller wings, and isn’t afraid to play through contact despite his slender frame. Considered by many to be the top 2027 in Minnesota, Schlagel played up with Howard Pulley at 17U in the EYBL and holds high major offers from the likes of Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, and more.
Chris Powell, 6’3, SG, Akron Buchtel (OH), 2026
Another crazy explosive guard from Ohio was Chris Powell, a slasher from Akron Buchtel. Originally from Rochester, N.Y., he made the move to Akron and has not looked back, as seen with his play at the Strictly Bball 3×3 Nationals. He is an explosive straight line driver, shoots the ball well with his feet set, and can finish with creativity at the rack through contact. Powell already holds a handful of D1 offers and will be a focal piece of an Akron Buchtel squad that has made some noise in the state of Ohio the past few years.
Rashaad Davis, 5’11, PG, Nicolet HS (WI), 2026
The shiftiest player at the Strictly Bball 3×3 Nationals was undoubtedly Rashaad Davis, a lead guard out of Milwaukee. Davis is able to blow by defenders with an outstanding first step, great burst when he changes speeds, and then the ability to finish in a variety of ways with either hand at the rack. Still wide open in the recruitment process, Davis holds multiple D1 offers and is listening to all suitors.
