Season Recap: Rim Protectors
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More and more as the game of hoops progresses, rim protectors are becoming a necessity for teams to make noise and be a real contender heading down the stretch. Not necessarily does a rim protector have to be a guy…
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Continue ReadingMore and more as the game of hoops progresses, rim protectors are becoming a necessity for teams to make noise and be a real contender heading down the stretch. Not necessarily does a rim protector have to be a guy who blocks a ton of shots, but creates a wall in the paint that makes life hard for players scoring inside the paint. Here are some of the top rim protectors around.
Fred Criqui Fred Criqui 6'7" | C St. Marys | 2022 State KS , 6’7 Center, St Marys, 2022: As his capable offensive game continues to develop and mature, Criqui’s defensive prowess in the paint is already blossoming into quite the center prospect. He has great physical size and long arms with a quick jumping ability off the ground. Looking into his hudl you will find a couple of highlight blocks spiking balls into the stands or into the floor, but also see a bunch of great wall ups or sliding over to force tough 2 point field goal attempts. One thing he needs to clean up on this end is jumping at shot fakes, but staying out of foul trouble has drastically improved for him this season. He was at about 2 blocks per game this year.
Cooper Schwieger, 6’8 Center, Blue Valley Southwest, 2022: Averaging roughly 10 points and 6 boards on the year, the big man Schwieger alone on those numbers put up an extremely productive year for BVSW, but his ability to protect the rim and block shots elevates him to another level. He averaged 1.8 blocks per game this season and a countless amount of shot altering plays with his length and timing. He can also sit and guard wings and guards and use his length to keep guys in front or recover for chase down blocks.
Jack Ratigan Jack Ratigan 6'5" | SF Blue Valley West | 2022 State KS , 6’5 Forward, Blue Valley West, 2022: One of the shorter guys on this list, Ratigan proves that you can defend in the paint and protect the rim with iq, quickness, instinct, and quick hands as well. Ratigan is a really solid all around offensive player and thats where you will see most of his accolades come from, but his defensive ability is growing as well. He uses his body and frame well to wall up on defense, does a good job of getting up to deflect shots, and is instinctually a really solid help side defender. He averaged over a block per game.
Noah Hastert Noah Hastert 6'6" | C Cair Paravel | 2022 State KS , 6’7 Center, Cair Paravel, 2022: A very long and lanky center, Hastert is a heady defender in the center spot and is good at roaming and hunting down blocked shots from the weak side. He is also good at taking contact and recovering to block shots on guys he is guarding as well. He averaged close to 3 blocks per game on the year, and will be a big spring and summer for him to prove he can guard big guys at the next level with the increase in talent on the grassroot stage. He has a lot of potential.
Noah Simmons Noah Simmons 6'8" | C Valley Center | 2022 State KS , 6’8 Center, Valley Center, 2022 (Pictured): With a loaded back court getting a lot of the offensive praise for a really good Valley Center team, Simmons did his part manning the middle of the defensive end of the floor for them. He is a big body who can slide his feet and moves pretty well on the floor. At the rim he is tough to get shots over or around with his size and his long arms. He is good at blocking shots and keeping them in bounds for teammates to corral and go and he can alter shots and go up and rebound the ball after as well. He averaged roughly a block and a half per game this year.