Top-5’s in 2021: Defenders

<p>With the possibility of losing the entire AAU season this year, I will try and mention all 115 juniors ranked. </p> <p>I like to take a look at my annual “Top-5’s”.</p> <p>Every player has their 1 skill they usually excel at.   </p> <p>It’s just a fun way to take a look at players’ elite skills in different categories. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>We move over to the 11 players who are top-tier defenders. These are the players that can lock you up on the perimeter and/or shut you down inside the paint. </p> <p>Here are my Top-5:</p> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id="931378" first="Lamin" last="Sabally"] (Bella Vista Prep) </p> <p>-Sabally is probably the one player on the list that can do both at a high level. He is very athletic and times his opponents to block their shots plus uses his length to contain them on the perimeter. </p> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id="809714" first="Malik" last="Mack"] (Desert Vista)</p> <p>-A top-notch next level on-ball defender. Unreal lateral quickness was a big catalyst of slowing teams down for the Thunder.</p> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id="703811" first="Jason" last="Kimbrough"] (Mountain Pointe)</p> <p>-Another quick ball hawk who moves like a DB covering a wide receiver. He was the big reason the Pride made that impressive run to the 6A Finals. </p> <p>4. [player_tooltip player_id="703835" first="JJ" last="White"] (Ironwood)</p> <p>-The glue guy on the 5A Chip team is a true 3 and D player for the next level. He is extremely strong and uses his lateral quicks, strength and length to slow his opponents down.  </p> <p>5. [player_tooltip player_id="703801" first="Carter" last="VanHammond"] (Phhoenix Prep)</p> <p>-A fluid post player is very good defending in space. He has quick feet and good defensive fundamentals. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>6-more:</p> <p>1. [player_tooltip player_id="809682" first="Will" last="Menaugh"] (Catalina Foothills)</p> <p>-A massive post player is very hard to move. He stands upright and it's difficult to score over him. He rebounds and blocks shots at a good rate. </p> <p>2. [player_tooltip player_id="809695" first="Elijah" last="Cole"] (Shadow Mountain)</p> <p>-A long wing defender keeps opponents in front of him and can occasionally block shots as well. </p> <p>3. [player_tooltip player_id="942125" first="Desi" last="Burrage"] (Brophy Prep)</p> <p>-A strong and stocky tough on-ball defender is a classic 3 and D type. </p> <p>4. [player_tooltip player_id="932362" first="Amarei" last="Hunter"] (Desert Edge)</p> <p>-A long defensive guard with some springs. He can also hit the open-3. </p> <p>5. [player_tooltip player_id="809711" first="Braeden" last="Roberts"] (North Valley Christian Academy)</p> <p>-A physical downhill scorer is highly competitive and defends his man on the perimeter. </p> <p>6. [player_tooltip player_id="809718" first="Q’Bon" last="Sullivan"] (Mountain Pointe)</p> <p>-Arguably the longest player in the group can play a little inside and out to defend. Will be a vital part of their next years success next to big Z, Kimbrough and Brown.  </p>