Positional Breakdown: Most Versatile Defenders
The saying goes, you are who you can defend. As we continue our positional series, we take a look at some players that have the ability to lock up several positions. In this article we breakdown the most Versatile defenders…
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Continue ReadingThe saying goes, you are who you can defend. As we continue our positional series, we take a look at some players that have the ability to lock up several positions. In this article we breakdown the most Versatile defenders in the state.
1. Anthony Swift Anthony Swift 6'6" | SF Desert Pines | 2021 #189 Nation CA-S 6’6 PF Desert Pines 2021 (#5PHN 2021) Defends 2-5 – I always believe that the first step in becoming a good defender is attitude and Swift has that in spades. He is a long, dedicated rim protector and low post defender. What makes him elite is the fact that not only can he hedge and switch ball screens, he can also destroy offensive gameplans with his ability to defend perimeter players looking to execute P&R offense.
2. Shane Thomas Shane Thomas 6'3" | SG Durango | 2022 State NV 6’3 SG Durango 2022 (#6PHN 2022) Defends 2-3 – Thomas may not defend as many positions, but he is elite at those he does. He has long arms, and a solid basketball IQ which allows him to help and recover as well as play passing lanes. A good R&J athlete, it can be difficult to beat Thomas off the dribble.
3. Jackson Williams Jackson Williams 6'2" | SF Faith Lutheran | 2021 State NV 6’2 SF Faith Lutheran 2021 (#42PHN 2021) Defends 1-3 (featured image) – Williams has long limbs, and is a fluid and agile athlete. He won’t blow you away with his R&J ability, but he makes up for it with an incredibly high defensive IQ. Williams is good on the ball, and excellent in bluff and recover situations.
4. Will McClendon Will McClendon 6'4" | SG Bishop Gorman | 2021 State #42 Nation NV 6’3 SG Bishop Gorman 2021 (#3PHN 2021) Defends 1-3 – McClendon is one of the smartest defensive basketball players I’ve seen in some time. A crafty defender that sees plays frames before they take place, McClendon excels at harassing ballhandlers and jumping passing lanes.
5. Dayshawn Wiley Dayshawn Wiley 6'4" | SG Desert Pines | 2021 State NV 6’3 SF Desert Pines 2021 (#10PHN 2021) Defends 1-3 – Wiley is a big time run and jump athlete that plays with great instincts and quick hands. He can get in the passing lanes, and defend every position from PG to SF on the ball.
6. Jonathan Braggs Jonathan Braggs 6'3" | SG Bishop Gorman | 2021 State NV 6’3 SF Bishop Gorman 2021 (#11PHN 2021) Defends 2-4 – Braggs is one of the few players capable of defending both wings and post. He might not be able to play a true 5, but his strength and frame will allow him to bang with a 4 from time to time. He naturally defends 2’s and 3’s with his quickness and agility.
7. John Board John Board 6'1" | SG Basic | 2021 State NV 6’1 SG Basic 2021 (#20PHN 2021) Defends 1-3 – Board is a dog when it comes to defending perimeter players, and despite being undersized he will fight tooth and nail against a 3 that attempts to post him up.
8.
Craig Comanche
Craig
Comanche
6'1" | CG
Cheyenne | 2021
State
NV
6’1 SG Centennial 2021 (#34PHN 2021) Defends 1-2 – Comanche is a good athlete with the foot speed to stay in front of most points, and the size to effect the shot of most two’s. He’s awesome in the passing lanes, as his motor, energy and effort allow him to get out and create deflections and turnovers.
9. Tyson Guild Tyson Guild 6'5" | PF Durango | 2021 NV 6’5 PF Durango 2021 (#41PHN 2021) Defends 3-5 – Guild is a Pogo stick athlete with a quick second jump. It really comes in handy when he is rim protecting and rebounding. He also is agile enough to hedge and switch ball screens.
10. TJ Brown TJ Brown 5'10" | CG Las Vegas | 2023 NV 5’10 CG Las Vegas 2023 (#5PHN 2023) Defends 1-2 – Brown plays with the effort and energy of a defensive pest. He has good lateral quickness to stay in front of 1’s and quick hands to effect 2’s with shaky handles.