2018 Best Available: Versatile Defenders
The end of the 2018 classes recruiting cycle is about over but there are still plenty of high-end players in the class to be had. Today, we look at some of the best of the best. While defense isn’t as big of an issue at the high school level, those that possess the skill are coveted at the next level. Today, we look at the best all-around versatile defenders.
First | Last Name | HT | POS | High School | Grassroots |
Jalen | Whack | 6’2 | SG | Carmel | GP Premier 2018-Devoe |
Marlon | Taylor | 6’5 | SF | South Bend Riley | Spiece Indy Heat Red 2018 |
Arius | Jones | 6’2 | SG | Fort Wayne Carroll | N/A |
Miles | Tracy | 6’6 | PF | Cardinal Ritter | Indy Ice 2018 |
Jayden | Edwards | 6’3 | SF | Cathedral | Indiana Legends 2018 |
Donyell | Meredith | 6’4 | SF | Lawrence Central | All 4 Him 2018-Bonds |
Kobe | Clancy | 6’3 | SG | Indianapolis Scecina | All 4 Him 2018-Bonds |
Jaylon | Holmes | 6’5 | SF | Merrillville | A2P 2018 |
Kellen | Schreiber | 6’4 | SF | Indianapolis Roncalli | IE SIDE 2018 |
Micah | Poole | 6’3 | SG | Crispus Attucks | All 4 Him 2018-Bonds |
Alec | Martin | 6’3 | SG | Gibson Southern | PCB 2K18 |
Garrett | Pumphrey | 6’8 | C | Cambridge City Lincoln | Indiana Legends 2018 |
Isaac | Combs | 6’5 | PF | Bloomfield | GP Premier 2018-Blake |
Breakdown: When looking at the best versatile defenders, you want to have guys that have length, athleticism, and size. You have to be able to defend your own position at the next level, that is a minimum. To be really good, you have to defend multiple spots. The best of the bunch is Jalen Whack. His size and length allows him to guard 1-3 pretty well. Marlon Taylor and Arius Jones are among the better guard defenders who could play on some wings if needed. The more interesting guys on this list include Jayden Edwards, Donyell Meredith, Kobe Clancy, and Miles Tracy. All really athletic and really long with Edwards the smallest at just over 6’3. Tracy, along with Jaylon Holmes, and Isaac Combs are more of forward defenders who can play 2-4 and some 5 spots. Combs and Pumphrey are the only two guys that can defend the 5 and move up. Pumphrey’s shot blocking ability will give him more defensive value that true versatility but he should still be able to defend the rim at a high level.