Top 10: 2018’s Best Defenders
The class of 2018 is starting to get heated up with a long and productive spring. Now is a good time to breakdown the class as they prepare for their key summer. Over the next week, we will be doing a series of Top 10’s, a list of the best at each category for the class of 2018. Today, we are breaking down the list of top defenders in the state.
Garrett Pumphrey – 6’8 | C | Cambridge City Lincoln (IN) | Indiana Legends 2018
Robert Phinisee – 6’1 | PG | McCutcheon (IN) | Indiana Elite 2018
Tyler Watson – 6’1 | PG | Tri-West (IN) | GP Premier 2018-Blake
Mekhi Lairy – 5’7 | PG | Evansville Bosse (IN) | Indiana Elite 2018
Romeo Langford – 6’4 | SG | 2018 | New Albany (IN) | 22 Vision 2018
Jalen Whack – 6’2 | SG | 2018 | Carmel (IN) | GP Premier 2018-Blake
Musa Jallow – 6’6 | SF | 2018 | Bloomington North (IN) | Team Blaze Select 2018
Brigham Booe – 5’11 | PG | 2018 | Northview (IN) | DistinXion CHAMPIONS Red 2018
Brandan Johnson – 6’2 | CG | 2018 | Fort Wayne North (IN) | OPS 2018
Arius Jones – 6’3 | SG | 2018 | Fort Wayne Carroll (IN)
Breakdown: In the class of 2018, when looking at defenders, you can find some really high end guys. There may end up being more top end defenders in this class than we have seen in a while. Versatility plays a big part in this and guys like Romeo Langford and Musa Jallow bring that at the high end. However, look for guys like Brandan Johnson and Jalen Whack to be some prized recruits because of that versatility as well. Johnson is a long, strong guard that has some size at 6’2, but his length and agility could allow him to guard 1 through 3.
Another type of defender in this group is built with toughness. Love guys like Arius Jones, Brigham Booe, and Tyler Watson. Jones is a 6’3 wing with tons of strength that can overpower people. Booe and Watson are built similarly and both use effort and relentlessness to get into guys.
Guys like Robert Phinisee and Mekhi Lairy use their speed to really stay in front of guys. Phinisee’s length is a problem on the defensive end because you really can’t get around him.
There isn’t a ton of really good defenders in the post but Garrett Pumphrey is a good one. The 6’8 center is really good on the glass as a rebounder and shot blocker. He’s one of the better shot blockers that has been in the state in a while. Still has to work on the consistency from game to game but he’s a difference maker down low.