#OKState Tourney: 15U Lockdown Defensive Prospects
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — The Prep Hoops Oklahoma State Tournament consists of a wide margin of talent at every position that filled the gym and produced various upset wins, high-scoring games, high-flying dunks, and breakout performances. Here we’ll take a…
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Continue ReadingOklahoma City, Oklahoma — The Prep Hoops Oklahoma State Tournament consists of a wide margin of talent at every position that filled the gym and produced various upset wins, high-scoring games, high-flying dunks, and breakout performances. Here we’ll take a look at some of the most effective and pesky defensive prospects from the Oklahoma State Tournament.
J.J. McClain | Power Forward | Oklahoma Flight 2025
Big, strong, and athletic with a terrific work ethic, McClain found a way to contribute to each statistical category. This highly productive and versatile prospect competed for everything and looked to impact the game in more ways than just scoring, often controlling the boards, fighting and sacrificing his body for 50/50 balls, running the floor to protect the basket, and terrorizing guys on the defensive end with his physicality and fearlessness. Great feet while defending on the perimeter, McClain was able to beat his man to their attack point and took pleasure in doing so, locking down quicker and faster guards, holding them at bay, and forcing his opponent to turn over the ball.
Austin Young | Point Guard | Victory Academy 2025
Austin Young came into the game off of the bench bringing much-needed defensive intensity, anytime the ball was on his side of the floor he pressured the ball-handler and forced them to cough the rock up. Young comes well equipped with extremely fast-moving feet and lateral quickness. He did a great job of making opposing guards uncomfortable, cutting the ball off. and stopping guards from touching the paint. Austin also had a tendency to allow his man to get a step ahead of him so he could come up from behind for the steal, he didn’t gamble much but when he did he often came up successful.
Ethan Evans | Small Forward | Southern Assault 2025
Ethan Evans was such a brilliant defender, quite possibly the best in the building. An incredibly alert, active, and instinctual defender with great reflexes and timing. Evans flew around the court, brought ball pressure, blocked shots, took charges, shut off angles, and did a fantastic job of disrupting passing lanes with his lengthy wingspan and contesting shooters with a high vertical leap. Anytime Evans was on the floor, he always has a hand in the passing lane, several of his deflections lead to fast break steals for his teammates. Ethan Evans impressively showcased a great feel for the defensive side of the ball, he played with a true love for the impacting a game with his defense.
K.D. Richardson | Point Guard | Southern Assault 2025
This Southern Assault floor general made life incredibly difficult for any guards he faced to get the ball up the court with comfort or space. A pure pick-pocket defender with super quick and active hands and feet that resulted in an unbelievable rate of on-ball and off-ball steals. He didn’t waste any time bringing intensity either, the moment K.D. stepped onto the court he forced turnovers starting with the very first possessions of games. Richardson was such a problem on the defensive end that he had a game where he easily produced a double-double with steals. Not only did this standout freshman play a huge role in stopping teams from crossing halfcourt but Richardson had the ability to keep opposing teams from getting past the free throw line at times, his knack for beating his man to a spot and cutting off all breathing room caused a lot of push-off fouls throughout the weekend, even selling the foul calls perfectly.
Jlyn Jenkins | Point Guard | Southern Assault 2025
Jlyn Jenkins was one of, if not the most lockdown on-ball defender of the weekend. Jenkins brought incredibly intense and in-your-face ball pressure with a true ball hawk mentality. Jenkins wanted the ball more than anyone else on the floor and he made sure to go after it every chance he could, sprinting right through his opponent’s body for clean steals. The way Jlyn Jenkins utilized his athleticism was a marvel to watch, Jenkins picked teams apart with sheer speed and quickness showing impeccable full court speed and lateral movements.