Bruce’s Best: Top 10 3-and-D Guys

<p>In case you’ve been living under a rock for the last 5 or 10 years. 3 and D players have become high commodities. At the professional level, execs salivate over floor stretchers with the ability to defend multiple positions. These players are equally effective at the prep level. In this article, PH takes a look at the top 3 and D players in Nevada.</p> <ol> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="533055" first="Will" last="McClendon"] <em>6’4 SG Bishop Gorman 2021 (#3PHN 2021)</em> - McClendon is one of the top 3 and D players in the nation. Big hands comes up with big daggers whenever needed. One of the all-time clutch shooters for the legendary program, McClendon is a thief on the defensive end, that uses his long arms, athleticism, and instincts to harass ballhandlers.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="533061" first="Dayshawn" last="Wiley"] <em>6’3 SG Desert Pines 2021 (#8PHN 2021)</em> - Wiley has to be on this list. Dude was a stud all year for DP. Wiley challenges ballhandlers, plays passing lanes, and is good for the occasional steal and score. He knocked down 34% of his 3’s this season en route to helping the Jags reach the 4A Championship game. </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="859643" first="Shane" last="Thomas"] <em>6’3 SG Centennial 2022 (#12PHN 2022)</em> <em>(featured image)</em> - Despite missing most of last season, Thomas seems like the most obvious player in this spot. The lefty loves to spot up and is a consistent knockdown shooter. Defensively he is a problem, as his length and athleticism allow him to seamlessly switch, and hedge ball screens.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="858168" first="Jalen" last="Cunningham"] <em>6’3 SG Foothill 2021 (#36PHN 2021)</em> - Despite splitting backcourt time, Cunningham, still managed to average almost 2 steals per game while banging home 35 trey’s on the season.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="859657" first="Donavan" last="Webster"] <em>6’4 SG Cheyenne 2022 (#9PHN 2022)</em> - Cheynne is built around all world 2021 stud [player_tooltip player_id="799296" first="Glenn" last="Taylor"], and Webster fits the roster perfectly. The run and jump athlete is a versatile defender who can also knock down open 3’s when defenders rotate to stop Taylor.</li> <li>Avery Strasdin <em>6’2 SG Churchill County 2021</em> - The 2 guard from the back to back 3A state champs, quietly put together a productive season. He knocked down over 37% of his 3’s while leading the conference in steals. </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="927142" first="Kyree" last="Hayes"] <em>6’2 SG Cheyenne 2021 (#50PHN 2021)</em> - Hayes is a terrific on-ball defender with Cat quick hands. He also is a quality 3 point marksman that serves as one of Glen Taylor’s floor spacers.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="927119" first="Jaylen" last="Berry"] <em>6’2 PG Basic 2021 (#19PHN 2021)</em> - Berry is one of the rising players in his class. The junior PG was a major pest on the defensive end, harassing ballhandlers all over the floor in Basic’s full-court pressure. Offensively he showed that he can change the scoreboard in a hurry, throwing up 10 games with a least 2 made 3’s.</li> <li>Brody Thralls <em>5’11 SG Incline 2022</em> - Thralls was one of the top defenders in the 2A northern last season. leading the conference with over 3 steals per game. He also displayed a lethal 3 point stroke knocking down 38% of his shots from behind the arc.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="856640" first="Darnell" last="Fizer"] <em>6’4 SG Silverado 2023 (#2PHN 2023)</em> - I think Fizer is the best 3 in D player in the class of 2023 in Nevada right now. However, a lot of it is based on his potential. He certainly showed that he has the ability to shoot the ball from behind the arc, he just needs to be more consistent. Defensively he has the frame and agility to be a multiple position impact defender at the prep level.</li> </ol> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/7outzbballclub1">Follow Prep Hoops Nevada</a></p>