Top-5’s in 2021: Defenders
With the possibility of losing the entire AAU season this year, I will try and mention all 115 juniors ranked. I like to take a look at my annual “Top-5’s”. Every player has their 1 skill they usually excel at. …
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Continue ReadingWith the possibility of losing the entire AAU season this year, I will try and mention all 115 juniors ranked.
I like to take a look at my annual “Top-5’s”.
Every player has their 1 skill they usually excel at.
It’s just a fun way to take a look at players’ elite skills in different categories.
We move over to the 11 players who are top-tier defenders. These are the players that can lock you up on the perimeter and/or shut you down inside the paint.
Here are my Top-5:
1. Lamin Sabally Lamin Sabally 6'6" | SF Bella Vista Prep | 2021 State AZ (Bella Vista Prep)
-Sabally is probably the one player on the list that can do both at a high level. He is very athletic and times his opponents to block their shots plus uses his length to contain them on the perimeter.
2. Malik Mack Malik Mack 6'0" | PG Bella Vista Prep | 2021 State AZ (Desert Vista)
-A top-notch next level on-ball defender. Unreal lateral quickness was a big catalyst of slowing teams down for the Thunder.
3. Jason Kimbrough Jr Jason Kimbrough Jr 6'1" | PG Bella Vista Prep | 2022 AZ (Mountain Pointe)
-Another quick ball hawk who moves like a DB covering a wide receiver. He was the big reason the Pride made that impressive run to the 6A Finals.
4. JJ White JJ White 6'3" | SG Ironwood | 2021 State AZ (Ironwood)
-The glue guy on the 5A Chip team is a true 3 and D player for the next level. He is extremely strong and uses his lateral quicks, strength and length to slow his opponents down.
5. Carter Van Hammond Carter Van Hammond 6'9" | C Phhoenix Prep | 2021 State AZ (Phhoenix Prep)
-A fluid post player is very good defending in space. He has quick feet and good defensive fundamentals.
6-more:
1. Will Menaugh Will Menaugh 6'10" | C Catalina Foothills | 2021 State AZ (Catalina Foothills)
-A massive post player is very hard to move. He stands upright and it’s difficult to score over him. He rebounds and blocks shots at a good rate.
2. Elijah Cole Elijah Cole 6'5" | SF Shadow Mountain | 2021 State AZ (Shadow Mountain)
-A long wing defender keeps opponents in front of him and can occasionally block shots as well.
3. Desi Burrage Desi Burrage 6'0" | CG Brophy Prep | 2021 State AZ (Brophy Prep)
-A strong and stocky tough on-ball defender is a classic 3 and D type.
4. Amarei Hunter Amarei Hunter 6'2" | SG Desert Edge | 2021 State AZ (Desert Edge)
-A long defensive guard with some springs. He can also hit the open-3.
5. Braeden Roberts Braeden Roberts 6'0" | CG North Valley Christian Academy | 2021 State AZ (North Valley Christian Academy)
-A physical downhill scorer is highly competitive and defends his man on the perimeter.
6. Q’Bon Sullivan Q’Bon Sullivan 6'5" | SF Phhoenix Prep | 2021 AZ (Mountain Pointe)
-Arguably the longest player in the group can play a little inside and out to defend. Will be a vital part of their next years success next to big Z, Kimbrough and Brown.