Best in State: Defenders

<p>Time for our annual Fall series “Best in State”.  In this we look each day at a different category and break down what players across the state are the best at that particular aspect of the game.  Today we examine the <strong>Best in State: Defenders!</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Martice Mitchell (Bloom)</strong></p> <p>The top ranked senior post in the state is a big time shot blocking presence.  The future Minnesota Gopher covers so much ground with his quickness and length.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Marcus Watson (Morgan Park)</strong></p> <p>This Wake Forest commit is a defensive stopper with his on ball pressure and ability to turnover his opponent.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ramean Hinton (Curie)</strong></p> <p>Hinton is a physical and aggressive perimeter defender that gets after it guarding multiple wing spots.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Armond Williams (East St. Louis)</strong></p> <p>Williams is a rangy post that is one of the better rim protectors in the class.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kendale Anderson (Leo)</strong></p> <p>Anderson is a tough and rugged post that uses his strength and motor to be a force defensively.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Uchenna Egekeze (Huntley)</strong></p> <p>Long and rangy two guard that makes an impact defending one through threes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Michael Osborne (Proviso East)</strong></p> <p>Pit bull on the defensive end of the floor.  This Proviso East point guard puts a ton of pressure on opposing guards.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Nick Smoldt (Plainfield East)</strong></p> <p>Smoldt is a versatile utility player that can defend a variety of spots with his combination of length and quickness.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jo Green (Marian Catholic)</strong></p> <p>Athletic point guard that is a high level defender for the full length of the court.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jaylin Gibson (Evanston)</strong></p> <p>Gibson is among the better wing defenders in the junior class.  He brings strength, athleticism, and versatility to check multiple spots.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ola Ajiboye (Von Steuben)</strong></p> <p>Ajiboye is a big time shot blocking presence that swats anything that comes in the lane and has the mobility to defend on the perimeter switching.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jaylen Bryson (Champaign Centennial)</strong></p> <p>Bryson is an upside post that can really protect the rim as a shot blocker.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Trent Howland (Joliet West)</strong></p> <p>Howland has made a lot of noise this fall on the gridiron, but don’t forget about his defense on the hardwood!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kyle Thomas (St. Joseph’s)</strong></p> <p>Thomas is the premier defender early on in the sophomore class.  He is a major shot blocking presence and that is his biggest strength at this stage.</p>