Hardwood Classic: Top Defenders (17U)

<p><b>Hardwood Classic: Top Defenders (17U)</b></p> <p>LAWRENCE, Kan. — The 2019 Hardwood Classic wrapped up on Sunday at the Kansas Sports Pavilion with MoKan Elite 2021 defeating the Missouri Flight in the championships game.</p> <p>Here, Prep Hoops takes a look at several of the tournament’s most underrated forwards from the Missouri side.</p> <p><strong>Byron Alexander, 6’3, G, 2020, Staley, MoKan 2020</strong></p> <p>Alexander brings good size, athleticism and quickness to the floor and uses it well at the defensive end of the court. He moves his feet well laterally, challenges shots and works hard to fight through screens. He can defend multiple positions, whether it's guards or wings.</p> <p><strong>Tyler Campbell, 5’9, G, 2020, Crane, Missouri Flight</strong></p> <p>Campbell is known for his scoring at the high school level at Crane, but has shown the ability to lock players up this summer with the Missouri Flight. He has a low center of gravity and is able to get in opponents shorts, able to disrupt ball handlers and force turnovers. He came up with several key defensive plays throughout the weekend for the second-place Flight, including key stop at the end of a first round game against MoKen 2020 on Saturday.</p> <p><b>Chase Martin, 6’2, G, 2020, Father Tolton, Carroll GoLive</b></p> <p>The son of Mizzou men’s basketball head coach Cuonzo Martin, Chase Martin is a nice defender who stays with the ball and can block shots off the glass. He is quick with the ball in his hands and can put his head down and power his way to the basket and adjust his shot on the move. He handles contact well and can use his athleticism to his advantage inside.</p> <p><strong>Dezmond McKinney, 6’1, 2020, Raytown, Marcus Denmon Elite</strong></p> <p>McKiinney is a smooth guard who can get buckets at the offensive end of the court, but can also lock up opposing players at the defensive end of the floor. He runs the lanes and jumps passing lanes and looks for easy baskets at the other end. He uses his speed well and plays full court defense throughout the entire game and maintains his speed and enthusiasm.</p> <p><b>Charles Wilson, 6’1, F, 2020, Rock Bridge, Yobo</b></p> <p>A nice framed player who is strong and can get up if he needs to. Wilson is a nice defensive player who looks to get involved wherever he can. He can handle the ball some and looks to pass to his teammates or take it inside for himself.</p>