Top 10 Columbus City League Defenders
It’s difficult being known as a lockdown defender, everytime someone scores on you they brag, you rarely get the ball on offense in iso situations and the girls do not love the hooper that can shutdown the star that scores…
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Continue ReadingIt’s difficult being known as a lockdown defender, everytime someone scores on you they brag, you rarely get the ball on offense in iso situations and the girls do not love the hooper that can shutdown the star that scores 25 points per game. The best defenders anywhere have Mayweather quick hands, good instincts and the ability to shadow the person with the ball, making sure the best offensive player has his toughest night by showing the heart of a competitor. The defenders on this list are either assigned to the best offensive player on the other team or take over the paint to make sure no one gets easy baskets inside and proved last season that they can slow down the best players in the area.
10. Darron Brown; Senior- Walnut Ridge: If you play at 4841, you must play a physical brand of defense and be able to guard 94-feet. Darron Brown is the definition of this type of player, Brown knows how to get into the offensive player and force him into mistakes by using his power advantage over them. A gritty defender, Brown never shows fear and is willing to make sure no one gets around him that easy. Plays the pick and roll very well, knowing when to go under and when to fight through.
9. JJ Simmons JJ Simmons 5'10" | PG Beechcroft | 2022 State OH ; Junior- Beechcroft: Simmons guards the best perimeter player on each team, at his request to his coach and takes pride in defending the best player. His upper body strength allows him to move defenders where he wants them to go and his natural basketball IQ to maneuver and fight around screens. Once the opposing player gives up the ball, Simmons can deny the ball as well as anybody which is an underrated trait to have.
8. Alonzo Thorpe; Junior- East: The 6-foot-6 explosive big man takes care of the paint and redirects opposing drivers with his sheer presence. Possibly the best shot blocking big man in Columbus, Thorpe has good timing with the understanding to keep the ball in play to start fast breaks. His one-on-one defense is decent, with bigger players exposing his lack of muscle inside for easy layups and rebounds but the way he runs, jumps and blocks, he belongs on this list.
7. Keshawn Harris; Senior- Independence: The best charge taker in the Columbus City League, Harris outsmarts offenses by sliding into place and getting other guards in foul trouble quickly. Impressive in the full court press where he uses his quick hands to get steals. Harris has no problem diving for loose balls after he pokes the ball away showing how tough he is and is one of the better rebounding guards in the league.
6. Aaron Lawson; Junior-Eastmoor Academy: One of this writer’s favorite coaches Kevin Brooks keeps a defender in his back pocket that he grooms into one of the best in Columbus. From Aaron Mackey to Tariq Brown, Eastmoor Academy always has a long wing that they can put on a player to slow him down and Lawson is the latest in that class. He is not as tall as you would think but his long arms and ability to get through screens make him hard to score on. This young man was mentally unphased by his role in the playoffs last season where he shined defensively.
5. Javo Jordan; Junior- Beechcroft: The “Gary Peyton” type player as his coach describes him, Jordan has quick feet and the will to keep opposing guards from starting the offense. This young man is capable of making other guards go where he wants them to go with his intelligence and long arms and strong hands. Plays the passing lanes really well and is really active, starting fast breaks for his team. His 5-foot-11 frame makes him able of guarding either guard spot and, depending on the height, some wing players in the area.
4. Robert Dorsey Robert Dorsey 5'10" | PG Northland | 2022 State OH III; Junior- Northland: He can guard the offensive player one-on-one really well, but playing the passing lanes is what he excels at. Excellent timing and instincts getting to the ball make him one of the better defenders in the Columbus City League. Dorsey has a strong upper body that makes it difficult to go around him that matches his quick feet, even though he does not have blazing speed. His strong hands make every loose ball his if he gets his hands on it, fighting away opposing players to prove that he wants the ball more than others.
3. Amani Lyles Amani Lyles 6'7" | C Beechcroft | 2022 State OH ; Junior-Beechcroft: Lyles is huge and loaded with talent on offense, but he anchors the defense of the most talented team in the Columbus City League. The Cougar big man makes it almost impossible to score inside when he is lurking around the rim and he is explosive, elevating to block and bother shots. Lyles is strong so posting him up as another big man is tough to do but facing him up down low is more difficult because he expertly moves his feet.
2. Eli Burke Eli Burke 6'1" | PG Africentric | 2021 State OH ; Senior- Africentric: Burke can sit down in the chair, slide his feet and fundamentally disrupt the entire offense. He could be the most athletically explosive guard in the Columbus City League which helps him be a really good shot blocker at the guard spot. A cerebral guard, he understands what opposing teams are trying to do with their schemes and plays them well. Burke is calm on defense and plays with a demeanor and confidence that comes with playing so well for his entire high school career.
1. Jaylon Jackson; Senior- Centennial: A true defensive guard who just so happens to know how to score, Jackson’s supreme athleticism takes over when he steps onto the court. Jackson plays tough and gets into the offensive players hip pocket like a pencil and forces them into difficult shots and turnovers. Jackson’s strong, quick hands allow him to take the basketball away from players and his anticipation helps him play passing lanes better than any player in Columbus.