#PHMayhemInThePlex: 2025 Lockdown Defenders

DeVontae Cobb May 11, 2022 @ 07:00 PM

Haltom City, Texas — The Mayhem In The Plex lived up to all of its hype with competitive games, high-scoring performances, lights-out shooters, lockdown defenders, and dominant low post threats. Here we’ll take a look at 5 of the best on-ball, perimeter, and rim-protecting defenders from this spectacular weekend. <hr /> Eyan Jones | Austin, TX | Nike ProSkills Austin 2025 South Austin Great hustle player that never quit on a play no matter what score was on the board. Intense competitive spirit, Eyan Jones competed until the tail end of each game, sprinting full speed back on defense to save his team from giving up easy points on multiple occasions. Jones displayed good hands and eyes for the ball finding a way to swipe and smack the ball out of his opponent’s hands whenever they went up for a layup, often knocking the ball right off of them and out of bounds at the same time. <hr /> Davion Carr | Prosper, TX | Victory Academy 2025 Victory Academy’s Davion Carr, took pride in locking down his man when defending the ball. Carr utilized his strength and energy to his advantage, forcing on-ball steals with terrific anticipation for the dribble and quick moving feet that assisted him perfectly in beating his man to their next spot, using a quick sprint or slight hop to stop guards dead in their tracks. The moment Carr stripped the ball he pushed the pace and drew the defense’s attention before dropping it off to a running teammate with a smooth and crisp bounce pass that hit his guy right in their pocket leading them directly into a shot. Davion Carr consistently showcased elite instincts, a great feel for the defensive side of the ball, quick reflexes, active hands, and a pure nose for the ball. <hr /> Vonte Sanders | Sherman–Denison, TX | Sparks Basketball Team 2025 Sanders made his presence felt with his immense effort stopping dribble penetration and contesting shots within the lane. Sanders is long and lengthy with a massive wingspan and he used it exceptionally well showing an understanding of how to effectively utilize his length to obstruct the view of his opponent, affect passing lanes, and take away open and easy layups. Not only can did Vonte Sanders display the ability to defend the paint and protect the rim but he also showed the potential to become a versatile defender due to his knack for changing shots and slowing down scoring on the perimeter. <hr /> Cody Taylor | Plano, TX | Valor/Union 2025 Black Superfast, super intense, and ultra-competitive, Cody Taylor made guards work for every inch of space they got and every shot they took. Taylor crowded his man’s space by staying lower than his man and by being more aggressive than them. Taylor didn’t shy away from physicality, he got into the chest of the ball-handlers and ran right through them for clean steals that created countless fastbreak opportunities for Valor/Union. <hr /> Tevin Jackson | Aubrey, TX | Flash! Elite 2025 Incredibly locked-in, intense, hard-nosed defender that gives you 94 feet of lockdown defense. Jackson put relentless pressure on the ball, he denied all breathing room, and never gave up a shot uncontested even if it meant contesting from behind which worked out in his favor on a number of occasions, managing to get a block a few times. The most impressive part of Jackson’s defensive prowess was the way he made opposing guards so uncomfortable with the ball, frustrating them into over dribbling and going one on one, he also forced guys to take uncharacteristic and tough off-balance shots on a consistent basis. Controlled physicality, remarkable lateral quickness, and tremendous all-around effort, Tevin Jackson flat-out terrorized his opponent defensively, I think it’s safe to say that this lead guard will make a name for himself as a top-notch defender. <hr />