Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo: Richard’s All-Defense Team
Andreas Williams Andreas Williams 6'1" | SG Cedar Rapids Jefferson | 2022 State IA – Cedar Rapids Jefferson (22’) Excellent timing and defensive instincts helped Andreas’ team lock down the paint when he was on the court. He is not…
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Continue ReadingAndreas Williams Andreas Williams 6'1" | SG Cedar Rapids Jefferson | 2022 State IA – Cedar Rapids Jefferson (22’)
Excellent timing and defensive instincts helped Andreas’ team lock down the paint when he was on the court. He is not the most imposing big and probably projects more as a wing going forward, but his help defense was excellent all day. He would time his help perfectly and get into the right position to contest vertically. He understands that playing post defense as an undersized big requires a different approach. He gets low and plants his feet while putting a bit of a lean on his man. He knows how to be handsy enough to bother but not to draw a whistle.
Traijan Sain Traijan Sain 6'5" | SF Cedar Rapids Washington | 2023 State IA – Cedar Rapids Washington (23’)
There’s few underclassmen with more upside in the state, in my opinion, and his impact on defense could be his greatest attribute moving forward. He has the combination of length, speed, and competitive edge that you cook up in an All-Defense laboratory. He is super-switchable, and can reasonably guard 1-4. Some physical maturation and a few more years of strength and conditioning, and Traijan could be a two-way weapon.
Matt Riedl Matt Riedl 6'2" | SF Dowling Catholic | 2021 State IA – Dowling Catholic (21’)
I’ve written previously on Matthew’s growth as offensive player over the summer, but I came away from the Expo impressed with his development on defense. I think a lot of it is strength and conditioning or simply growing into his body, because he is just moving better. He is able to stick with quick ball handlers much better, and he absorbs bumps and shoves a little easier. His greatest strength on defense might be his discipline. His hands are always high and he does a great job remaining vertical.
Jackson Flattery – Sioux City East (22’)
Constant focus and engagement is key to great defense. It requires a strong and attentive mind in order to process the multiple bits of information simultaneously. Jackson was excellent on the defensive end mostly due to his focus. He was excellent off-ball. He was playing as if he didn’t know, or care, whether his man had the ball or not, he was going to be in your shirt. He was always touching his assignment, giving him little shoves or resting a hand on his back or shoulder. This is incredibly annoying and distracting to an offensive player and can force them out of a rhythm and their disrupt their focus. Jackson hounded his man while staying mindful of the other 8 players on the court and how he could assist in any way. He gambled at the right times, choosing correctly when to stunt or when to leave his man altogether.
Marcus Kelderman Marcus Kelderman 6'1" | SG Boyden-Hull | 2021 State IA – Boyden-Hull (21’)
When Marcus’ group faced Team 14, he drew the defensive matchup on James Glenn James Glenn 6'2" | PG Sep | 2021 State IA . As most already know, Glenn is one of the most impressive offensive players in the state, and Marcus more than held his own. He was not biting on the crossovers that so many of Glenn’s opponents are fooled by. He forced many kick-outs after failed drive attempts, and held up in the paint when he had to show some muscle. Very active hands led to multiple fast break opportunities. He was impressive the whole day, but that tough matchup which he rose to earned him a place on this list.