Joseph Hartman is now a 2x Champion after leading his travel team with 14 points in the 2024 Adidas 3 Stripes Select Basketball (3SSB) Championship game for the 16U division.
Comprised of top teams from all over the country, the 3SSB held their annual Championships in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Hartman plays for Austin Rivers Southeast Elite, a team based out of Orlando, where the former NBA veteran Rivers played high school basketball.
Hartman also helped The Rock win the 2024 SIAA State Championship in February against DME Academy. One of Hartman’s teammates also plays for DME Academy.
Overcoming Adversity
“We weren’t sure we were going to win until we got a little closer. Adding 3 new players and only having 7 players was crazy,” Hartman said.
“We lost by 20 in showcase game and lost another showcase game, and we weren’t sure what was going to happen in bracket play. But it all worked out.”
Playing to Win
Hartman received many compliments for his play throughout the week leading to the finals.
The event was structured in a showcase format before teams began bracket play. Hartman’s team lost 2 showcase games as they were adjusting to adding 3 new players to the roster and only having 7 guys on the roster.
But credit to the consistent high-level play of Hartman who regularly lead the team in scoring and rebounding.
“I was just trying to help the team by making winning plays and showing them that I am a winner,” added Hartman.
“Win 50-50 balls, make open shots, get rebounds to show the coaches that you can do a lot of things. That’s all I was trying to do.”
College Coaches Take Notice
Referring to the college coaches, Hartman was excited to play in front of so many college coaches during the 1st NCAA Live Period of July.
“Playing in front of college coaches was insane. I mean, I have played in front of plenty of college coaches before, but I saw all of the big schools there watching us,” Hartman stated.
“It was like a dream playing in front of so many high majors.”
The 6’5 junior guard has been receiving interest from numerous schools and holds roughly 10 offers from schools like Penn State, Virginia Tech, Cal, Liberty, South Florida, Tulsa, and one more special one.
“Yeah, Tulane just offered me which is pretty cool because that’s my dad’s alma mater and he is in the Hall of Fame there. So that’s really cool,” said Hartman.
A New Season Awaits
Hartman is looking forward to his junior season at The Rock starting in a few months, but until then, he can get some rest after hoisting yet another championship in 2024.
