Spring Evaluations: Top Defenders
We are fully into the month of May and we are taking a look back at some of the best we have seen this spring. Today we are looking at the top defenders. Landon Hall 6’4 – SG – 2017…
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Continue ReadingWe are fully into the month of May and we are taking a look back at some of the best we have seen this spring. Today we are looking at the top defenders.
Landon Hall
6’4 – SG – 2017 – Brownsburg / Indiana Faith 2017
Much like rebounding, you need guys that provide a motor and/or energy and Landon does that in spades. He’s a bigger on the perimeter which allows him to defend multiple spots. He can probably go from point to the 3 with ease and that adds value. He’s not super long but he’s got quickness laterally and he’s strong. He values being able to slow down the opposing team and get out in transition.
Sam Colbert
5’11 – PG – 2017 – Broad Ripple / Indiana Legends 2017
Sam isn’t going to be very versatile but he’s really good on the ball. He’s got just enough length and he’s so quick that he can get up into guys defensively and make their jobs tougher. He gives great effort and energy so he’s always going to get a few steals every game just on that. He’ll be a guy at the lower levels that can be your lockdown defender with a little polish.
Robert Phinisee
5’11 – PG – 2018 – McCutcheon / Indiana Elite 2018
There are many reasons why Phinisee is a stellar prospect and just one of them is his defensive ability. His high school team got to the state finals built around a defense led by his perimeter ability. He’s very long and patient and he tends to wear down his opponents and then turns them over. Robert is extremely solid on the perimeter and it allows him to create tons of offense off of that.
Mike Valle
6’7 – SF – 2017 – Whiteland / Grassroots Indiana 2017 Blue
Mike is a newer name that people are going to start noticing popping up this spring. He’s a 6’7, long wing who is one of the more versatile defenders you will find. At the lower levels, he could defend every position on the court. He’s tall and long and gives great effort to outmaneuver bigs in the post and quick enough laterally that he could stay in front of guards and long enough to make up for the difference in speed. One of the more intriguing guys to watch.
Arius Jones
6’3 – SG – 2018 – FW Carroll / Spiece Indy Heat 2018
Arius has really come on in the last 6 months or so as an emerging versatile guard with a growing body. He’s 6’3 now and starting to really fill out his frame which is great because he’s already fairly physical as a defender. Jones does well guarding the 1-3 spots on the floor and he does so with strength and toughness. He’s just quick enough that his length and frame can be overwhelming and when his energy is high, he can really lock his man up.
Jordan Webb
6’0 – PG – 2018 – Covenant Christian / Indiana Faith 2018
Jordan is one of the more physical players on either side of the ball that you are going to find. He’s a physically developed guard and he understands this and uses this to his advantage. He overpowers his opponents with strength and toughness and can create turnovers at a fairly high clip. Webb could be as coveted for his defensive abilities as his offensive abilities.
Other Top Defenders To Watch:
Justin Roberts – 5’11 PG – 2017 – Indianapolis Pike / Spiece Indy Heat 2017
Antwaan Cushingberry – 5’8 – PG – 2018 – Lawrence North / G3 Rising Stars 2018
Jaren Jackson Jr. – 6’11 PF – 2017 – Park Tudor / Spiece Indy Heat 2017
Isaiah Thompson – 5’11 PG – 2019 – Zionsville / Spiece Indy Heat 2018
Andrew Kenneally – 6’7 PF – 2017 – Crown Point / Indiana Elite Region 2017