Grassroots Preview: Upward Stars 16U 3SSB
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With the month of April 2024 reaching its last days, that means the first full month of the year’s AAU campaign is nearing its conclusion. Once the high school season gives way to the grassroots campaign, one of the teams…
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Continue ReadingWith the month of April 2024 reaching its last days, that means the first full month of the year’s AAU campaign is nearing its conclusion.
Once the high school season gives way to the grassroots campaign, one of the teams that is front and center in the minds of many a Palmetto State basketball fan is Upward Stars . The organization, of course, has its home base in Spartanburg and fields several teams mostly throughout South Carolina.
One of those teams that has taken to the travel courts is its 16U 3SSB team – of course competition on the Adidas circuit. Both Carolinas and Georgia are represented on the team. Without further adieu, here is a player-by-player look at who comprises this year’s 2026 roster.
Za’Miyah Jenkins – At an imposing 6-foot-2, Jenkins is one of the taller members of the team and hails from T.W. Josey which is a 2A girls basketball power in Georgia high school sports circles.
Deaunna Cook – Cook once previously wore the purple and gold of 3A (soon to be 4A) Emerald and is now part of a Mauldin team that has established itself as one of the premier 5A teams in the Palmetto State.
Na’shira Starks Na’shira Starks 6'1" | PF Lake City | 2026 State SC – Starks is the lone representative from 3A Lake City on this year’s Upward Stars 16U 3SSB roster. Another of the team’s players who stand at over six feet, she is a formidable force in a team’s frontcourt.
Tyana Pullman Tyana Pullman 5'11" | C Woodmont | 2026 State SC – Pullman gives 5A Woodmont a spot on this year’s Upward Stars 16U 3SSB roster. She displayed plenty of improvement from her freshman season into her sophomore campaign last year as she averaged 7.8 points and 6.4 rebounds a game in 24 games.
Samara Jones – Jones’ Thomas Jefferson team concluded the 2023-24 season with a 22-4 record and a perfect 13-0 mark to win its conference. The Gryphons also advanced to the West Region quarterfinals. Jones averaged 15.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in her sophomore season.
Imari Richardson Imari Richardson 5'9" | SF J.L. Mann | 2026 State SC – J.L. Mann made massive steps in 2023-24 as the Patriots advanced to the 5A Upper State final. Richardson is part of an emerging young core at J.L. Mann averaging 10.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and two steals in 26 games.
Ava Owens Ava Owens 5'7" | PG Pickens | 2026 State SC – As Richardson has solidified herself as a rising star in the 5A ranks, Owens has done the same at the 4A ranks via her work at Pickens. She averaged 15.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.6 steals per game in 24 games last season for the Blue Flame.
Kerri Fluellen Kerri Fluellen 5'6" | PG Josey | 2026 State GA – Fluellen is the other representative from the 2A Eagles of T.W. Josey. She plays softball in addition to basketball. Fluellen’s Eagles advanced to last season’s 2A state championship game and she helped by averaging 13 points, 6.1 steals, six rebounds and 5.5 assists.
Kaleigh Lucas Kaleigh Lucas 5'4" | PG Saluda Trail M.S / South Pointe | 2028 SC – If one has has the opportunity to see Lucas play, one can see that she is certainly worthy of playing up two years in class. Lucas is part of 4A South Pointe’s young core. The Stallions finished 26-3 (10-0 in its region) and she averaged 12.6 points and 2.7 steals a game.
Monasia Clinkscales Monasia Clinkscales 5'6" | PG Westside | 2026 State SC – Westside re-established itself as one of the teams to beat in the 4A ranks as the Rams were state championship participants from last season. Westside finished 24-4 (10-0 in its region) and she averaged 10.4 points, 4.3 assists and 3.3 steals a game.
Reagan Buff Reagan Buff 5'7" | PG Wade Hampton | 2026 State SC – If there was a 3-point shooting contest among Palmetto State high school standouts, one would hope Buff would be a participant. She was an important piece for a 4A (moving to 5A) Wade Hampton team that finished 17-9 last season.
Messiah Williams Messiah Williams 6'3" | C North Augusta | 2026 State SC – North Augusta year in and year out is one of the teams to beat in 4A play – and this year was no exception. The 7.3 rebounds Williams averaged per game in her sophomore campaign was a huge reason why North Augusta advanced to the Upper State semifinals this past season.