From SoCal to the DMV : Darius Bivins, Adidas 3SSB's Top Point Guard
( Film Courtesy of De La Villa Productions )
Standing at 5'10" and ranked 49th in the 2026 ESPN TOP 60, Darius Bivins strides into the gym like a rock star taking the stage. The anticipation is palpable, the atmosphere electric. Alexandria City High School in Virginia is his arena, and the court is where his magic happens. A testament to the power of passion, hard work, and the unyielding support of loved ones, Darius is a 4-star recruit glowing on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit, the top shoe circuit in the country. His remarkable talent has already drawn offers from prestigious programs like Stanford, Georgetown, Iowa, Vanderbilt, West Virginia, and many more. But to understand his rise, we must go back to where it all began.
Long before the spotlight, in the dim glow of a quiet neighborhood gym, a young boy sits in a car seat, wide-eyed and curious. His father moves with practiced ease across the court, the rhythmic bounce of the ball creating a soundtrack that will come to define his son’s earliest memories. This boy is Darius Bivins, and his journey with basketball begins here, in these early morning hours, where the seeds of passion are sown.
“I would be in a car seat watching him play and went to his adult league games. My love for the game just came from always being in the gym,” Darius recalls. “Even for my 4th birthday, I asked for an NBA league pass, and I think that’s when I knew basketball was my passion.”
From those first glimpses of his father’s games, a love affair with basketball was born. It wasn't the typical childhood obsession with toys or cartoons; for Darius, it was the lure of the court, the thrill of the game. This early exposure instilled a passion that would shape his life.
Years later, that same gym still echoes with the sounds of hard work and determination. “Honestly, just being in the gym a lot, I tried to get 3-4 workouts in a day focusing on different stuff each workout. For example, one workout would be ball handling and finishing, the next would be shooting, and then after that we would do a lot of ball screen work and making reads. So I just tried to be in the gym as much as I could even if I had to sacrifice certain stuff,” Darius explains.
This relentless pursuit of excellence paid off on grand stages. The 3SSB championship stands out vividly in his memory. “I would say either the 3SSB championship, just because the feeling of winning on such a big stage with guys that you’ve been playing with for a long time, and achieving a big-time goal that you’ve been working for all season, or a high school game vs Bishop Ireton because that was probably one of the biggest crowds I’ve played in front of, and I feel like that game was a really big game for me, so that I could get used to playing in front of big crowds and it definitely helped me in the long run.”
Pressure and expectations are constant companions for a highly ranked player, but Darius has found his way to cope. “It comes with a lot of different things, so I just try to zone everyone out when I play and just focus on my coach and my teammates. I do that by listening to music and praying before games; it just helps me stay calm and get in the mode to play. I also know that I put in the work to get in the positions I am, so I have the confidence to go out there and show what I’ve been working on.”
His idols—Chris Paul, Steve Nash, and Jason Kidd—have heavily influenced his play style. “I have multiple basketball idols; I would say Chris Paul, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, and a lot of other true point guards, and they have definitely influenced my play style because I just love how they get their team involved and make everyone around them better. So like them, I just try to get everyone involved and not worry too much about scoring.”
Looking ahead, Darius sets clear goals. “Some short-term goals are getting faster, stronger, more athletic, continuing to perfect my shooting ability, and just continuing to perfect my craft. Some long-term goals are to really master the mental side of the game, to master the pick and roll, and to just get the most out of every opportunity. I see myself playing Division I basketball and leading my team to a national championship.”
Balancing academics with athletics is no easy feat, yet he approaches it with maturity. “Staying motivated for basketball was never really hard for me because I really love the game, so when I go train or work out I have fun, so it’s not hard to get motivated to have fun. For academics, I just think about it like this: the basketball is going to go flat one day; I hope that day comes very late, but eventually it will come, so I need to have the academics to continue to succeed in life.”
A robust support system has been crucial to his journey. “Man, they have played a huge role in it; without them I wouldn’t be where I am today. Whether it’s them giving me a ride to a workout, talking to me when I’m not at my best, or keeping me in check even if it’s a tough conversation, all of these people have helped me so much, and I think will continue to help me.”
Dreaming big, Darius imagines playing one-on-one with legends. “I would say Chris Paul or Kobe Bryant because I feel like I could just learn so much from that game, whether it’s on the court stuff or the mental side of the game. I would just ask as many questions as I could during that experience.”
Pre-game rituals are sacred. “My favorite pre-game meal is a sunrise sunset smoothie and wrap from Tropical Smoothie Cafe , and my go-to rituals are just listening to music, stretching, and having a talk with God before the game.”
His cultural background fuels his drive. “I think it definitely influenced my approach to basketball because not many people with my racial background have done what I want to do, so it’s kind of motivation to be one of the only ones to do it. It influenced me in life by just teaching me that everything is earned, not given, and if I want something I’m gonna have to earn it, and to be grateful for everything.”
Community engagement is a source of pride. “I have done a couple of community events with the city of Alexandria and just gave the kids not only basketball advice but life advice as well because I know how much it would mean to me as a kid if someone like me gave me advice. I also have had a lot of kids from my area ask for advice, so just small stuff like that I take pride in. I just wanna be there for people who need advice or motivation or whatever. I just wanna help people, whether it’s the youth or the elderly.”
From the boy in the car seat, eyes wide with wonder, to the young man on the brink of greatness, his story is one of inspiration and relentless pursuit of dreams. As Darius Bivins continues to grow and achieve, there's no doubt he will leave a lasting impact on the court and beyond.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Darius Bivins for sharing his incredible journey with us. His dedication, humility, and passion for the game are truly inspiring. For those who want to follow his journey and support him, you can stay connected with Darius Bivins and follow his progress and updates on social media:
Twitter/X: @Dariusbivins26
Instagram: @dariusbivins2026
Thank you, Darius, for your time and for sharing your story. We look forward to watching your continued success and the impact you will undoubtedly make both on and off the court.
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