If you build it, they will come….and they did. 

The weekend in Council Bluffs and Omaha was the culmination of two plus years of planning, countless hours of meetings and meetings and even more meetings. The end result was the best collection of amateur basketball talent the Metro area has likely ever seen. 

The days of preparation leading up to the Adidas 3SSB Championships resulted in a completely different look and feel at the Iowa West Fieldhouse in Council Bluffs.

Risers were built for college coaches seating only, a full court was taken away for a hospitality area for college coaches and the Mid America Center was even home to two separate wood courts.

There didn’t seem to be a stone left unturned. Teams had local hosts to make sure if they needed anything it was taken care of. Transportation to and from not just airport to hotels but to the Fieldhouse and even restaurants in Omaha was carefully planned. 

Some of the most recognizable faces in the college coaching landscape made their way to the metro. Kansas’ Bill Self was popular amongst the locals, posing for pictures nearly at every turn and even at local eating establishments in downtown Omaha. Baylor’s Scott Drew, Michigan’s Juwan Howard, Texas head man Chris Beard and his rival Buzz Williams at Texas A&M made a stop at the Fieldhouse on Saturday. 

Former NBA superstar Tracy McGrady and league veteran Kyle Lowery were seen watching the teams they sponsor along with former NBA veteran Mike Miller. 

Some teams won, others didn’t but the biggest winner was not just the fans but the people behind the scenes for host Omaha Sports Academy. The faces that aren’t easily recognizable that planned the best amateur basketball event the area has ever seen were winners. 

The cities of Council Bluffs and Omaha were winners and even the hoop heads that watched some of the best basketball players in the country won. 

Speaking of Winners

Council Bluffs wasn’t the only Adidas event in the area. The Adidas Championships Gold Division took place at the Union Bank & Trust Sports Complex in Elkhorn. 

In the 17U Division the Nebraska Crusaders better known as OSA 17U National – Freeman won the top prize defeating California Select 56-54 in the championship game. 

Here are some highlights of their 53-45 semifinal win over Game Point 17U Elite.