Top 10 Southwest Ohio Rim-Protectors
Defenders are inevitably going to get beat from time to time. Offensive players are too quick, too deceptive, too skilled, to be kept out of the paint every possession. Once that first line of the defense is crossed, a premier…
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Continue ReadingDefenders are inevitably going to get beat from time to time. Offensive players are too quick, too deceptive, too skilled, to be kept out of the paint every possession.
Once that first line of the defense is crossed, a premier rim-protector makes all the difference. His ability to alter shot attempts is consistently the difference between two and zero points.
Rim-protection is one of the most valuable, yet underrated, roles in the game. And it often takes a true fly swatter on that back-end for audiences to appreciate the role. These 10 make that level of impact…
Jackson Ames (2020) | 6-10 C | West Clermont
Enormous interior presence who can hold his ground in traffic and defend shots with his size. Ames, who is committed to Miami (OH), has a strong upper body and pretty good feet for his size. He turned away 2.0 shots per game as a junior.
AJ Braun (2021) | 6-8 C | Fenwick
Braun possesses a large body to go with nimble feet. He shows tremendous timing when it comes to blocking shots and elevating for rebounds. He knows how to get his hands on the ball. Blocked a GCL-CoEd leading 2.5 shots per game last season.
Logan Duncomb (2021) | 6-9 C | Moeller
Duncomb projects as a guy who will defend the rim at a high-major program. He already possesses length, now Duncomb is simultaneously adding upper body strength and mobility. Able to contest 2-point shots all over the court. Plays with spirited effort.
Maro Egodotaye (2021) | 6-8 C | Dayton Carroll
Egodotaye emerged onto the scene in his 16U grassroots season with Team Flyght. He’s a raw athlete with a very strong body. He can get up and is pretty quick off the floor. Egodotaye also plays with discipline on defense. Understands his role and wants to affect the game inside with his size. Doesn’t foul often by going straight-up.
Dashaun Huffman (2021) | 6-8 F | Dayton Dunbar
Huffman is a wiry athlete who is adjusting to a considerable growth spurt. He plays hard and as he becomes even more in-tune with his body, Huffman is going to cause problems around the rim on both ends. Strong body.
Davion Mace (2020) | 6-7 C | Cincinnati Woodward
Mace is a vertical athlete with a chiseled body who fulfills his role around the rim by remaining active. Quick block-to-block. Runs the floor and can affect shots in transition by keeping up with opponents.
Mo Njie (2020) | 6-9 C | Centerville
Njie is the epitome of a rim-protector and the best one in Ohio. Combines terrific defensive instincts with a deep bag of physical tools. Plays with activity, which maximizes his length. His shot-blocking ability allows teammates to take chances on the perimeter, knowing “Big Mo” awaits ball-handlers if they get beat. Blocks layups and mid-range jumpers.
Shawn Phillips (2022) | 6-10 C | Belmont
Phillips is one of the best rim-protectors in the area right now and he’s only getting better. Remarkable length that allows him to monitor a lot of real estate. Phillips affects short-range shots (i.e. not layups, but not mid-range jumpers either) by lunging at the offensive player with his length. He’s going to become quicker, though, as he settles into his body, which means those are going to turn into rejections soon. Plays on the balls of his feet.
Evan Prater (2020) | 6-5 SF | Wyoming
Prater, a Cincinnati football commit, plays much bigger than 6-foot-5, especially for Wyoming. He owns the rim-protection responsibility during the winter by elevating high for rejections and providing a help-side presence. Blocks shots on the dribble-drive, too, as he’s equally capable of defending in space.
Owen Spencer (2020) | 6-8 C | Turpin
Before Spencer was a skilled scorer who could face-up or get a bucket with his back to the basket, he was an intriguing shot-blocker with mobility. He’s always had that. Able to slide his feet and rise up for a rejection. Plays with effort.