2021 Rankings Breakdown: Top Available Perimeter Defenders

Prep Hoops Maryland recently updated the class of 2021 rankings, and now it’s time to take a closer look. Here we highlight ten of the top perimeter defenders who remain unsigned. #9 | Bez Mbeng Bez Mbeng 6'3" | CG Good Counsel | 2021 State #190 Nation MD | Good Counsel Mbeng is a nice all-around player, but defense is a staple of his overall game. He has a nose for the ball and is very active. Mbeng was top-five on the UA Association in box plus-minus. He had an absurd 5.9% steal rate, which was significantly higher than any other UAA plus-minus leaders.  #12 | Elijah Hawkins Elijah Hawkins 5'9" | PG DeMatha | 2021 State MD | DeMatha Everyone remembers the viral clip of Hawkins locking up University of Kentucky guard Devin Askew last season. WCAC foes know that feeling all too well. The league will breathe a collective sigh of relief when Hawkins graduates. #14 | Primo Spears Primo Spears 6'1" | PG Mt. Zion Prep | 2021 State MD | Mt. Zion Prep Spears deserves plaudits as a perimeter defender primarily for his intangibles. He's a vocal communicator who gives max effort on that side of the ball at all times.  #18 | Byron Ireland Jr. Byron Ireland Jr. 6'2" | CG St. Frances | 2021 State MD | St. Frances Because of his size, Ireland is comfortable defending either guard spot. He's a hard-nosed competitor who can be a valuable chess piece on that end of the floor. #35 | Ahmad Harrison Ahmad Harrison 6'1" | PG National Christian | 2022 MD | National Christian Harrison is a tenacious on-ball defender who uses his length effectively to disrupt passing lanes and contest shots. He was a no-brainer pick to make this list.  #37 | Jalen Bryant Jalen Bryant 5'11" | PG John Carroll | 2021 State MD | John Carroll Bryant averaged 2.2 steals per game as a junior, but that illustrates just a fraction of the impact he makes on defense. He is known for applying relentless pressure on the ball. Bryant is a habitual stunter who is always active and alert off the ball. His IQ jumps off the page when you watch him defend on tape. #39 | Michael Aiken Michael Aiken 5'9" | PG Thurgood Marshall | 2021 State MD | Thurgood Marshall Aiken uses leverage to his advantage as he can get under opposing ball-handlers and repeatedly beat them to the spot with his quickness. He can be a matchup nightmare this way, especially for bigger guards.  #41 | Trae English Trae English 5'11" | PG Baltimore Poly | 2021 State MD | Baltimore Poly English earned his striped at Poly by bringing tremendous energy on the defensive end when checking into games. He's since made that type of effort on defense a hallmark of his game.  #71 | Elijah Davis Elijah Davis 6'0" | PG St. Frances | 2022 MD | St. Frances Davis has always been tough as nails. He brings his hard hat with him on every play, especially defensively. Davis is constantly picking up full court and turning his man in the backcourt.  #80 | Kordell Lewis Kordell Lewis 5'10" | PG Richard Montgomery | 2021 State MD | Richard Montgomery Lewis is the definition of an impact player on defense. You can see by the look in his eyes that he takes pride in locking up his assignment each time he hits the floor, and he rarely fails.