Top Defenders from the Summer Challenge
From the games, I was able to watch here are the top defenders that made defense a priority each game.
Kyran Gaines 2019 Young Legends Forward
Gaines is skilled big man at a legit 6’6. He will make a great small college four man with the many things he brings to the table. Defensively, Gaines was massive for Young Legends making his presence known early and often in the paint. In the late moments of an Elite 8 bracket game, Gaines blocked a shot to give his team the victory. He came up huge on defense all weekend long.
Avery Eugster 2020 SABO Gold Wing
Eugster gave SABO Gold great toughness and defense from the Wing. He fought for the basketball in jump ball opportunities and did a great job of sticking with his man in man to man defense. Eugster was also great on the defensive boards tracking down misses.
Daniel Peterson 2020 Nova Cavaliers Forward
Peterson did a mix of everything for the Nova Cavaliers on the defensive end. The first thing that stood out was how excellent he was at clearing the glass pulling down boards. Even larger impact on the defensive end, Peterson blocked shots without fouling extremely well this weekend. The heart and activeness he brings to the court are awesome to watch. Peterson is going to make a good small college four man.
Nate Duckworth 2019 Illinois Warhawks Point Guard
Duckworth was fantastic at jumping the passing lanes for steals that led to easy transition buckets. He seemed to always pick the right time to go after the steal. High basketball IQ led him to making great decisions at both ends especially setting up his teammates well at the Point.
Dalton Banks 2020 D1 Minnesota Combo Guard
Banks plays fantastic on-ball defense guarding 1-3. The high intensity he brings to each possession ware down on his opponents. He is not the most athletic. What gets the job done for Banks on defense is effort and high basketball IQ. He does have good quick footwork as well that allows him to stay in front of his man. Banks is going to find himself on an NCAA Division I roster in large part due to defense.
Gabriel Mason 2020 Diverse City 16U Wing
Mason has an uncanny ability to jump at the perfect times for blocking shots. At 6’4 Gabriel has good size on the Wing with solid hops. The timing he was able to perfect at hitting the peak of his jump just in time to block shots was huge for his team.
Ryan Jacobson 2020 Kessel Heat Point Guard
Jacobson is a Combo Guard prospect that really shined this weekend. He caught my eye jumping in the passing lanes snatching steals for easy transition baskets on the other end. He has a good presence about him at the Point. Jacobson consistently was the playmaker for Kessel Heat. He made sure to catch the radar of Prep Hoops and small colleges this weekend.
Nikolas Stadelman 2020 Rockford 5-0 Jones Wing
Stadelman played with high energy on the court at all times. He was everywhere on the court. What has him on the defender’s list were the blocked shots he had over the tournament. Opponents who took to long shooting their jumper saw their ball land in the stands as Stadelman swatted the ball out of bounds. He is going to find himself a spot at the next level due to the great effort he gives.
For more information email Matt@prephoops.com