Northern Virginia’s Top-10 On-Ball Defenders
Who are the best on-ball defenders in Northern Virginia? The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the very best, regardless of class. Below you will find, in alphabetical order by last name, 10 of the top on-ball defenders you will find in the region. This is part of a series that will aim to highlight players based on various superlatives.
Note: these superlative lists will not be mutually exclusive. If someone can handle the ball and do something else (i.e. shoot) at a high level, they will be included in both lists.
Eric Gordon | SSSAS ’21
Despite their loaded backcourt, Gordon earned a key rotation spot last season, and his defense was a huge reason why. He can be quite pesky on the ball and very active in disrupting the passing lanes.
Michael Henderson Michael Henderson 5'7" | PG TC Williams | 2022 VA | TC Williams ’22
Henderson is a tenacious on-ball defender with cat-like quickness. He can get under opposing ball-handlers and cut them off with relative ease.
Darius Johnson
Darius
Johnson
6'0" | PG
Episcopal | 2021
State
#159
Nation
VA
| Episcopal ’21
On-ball defense is one of the biggest strengths of Johnson’s overall game. His athleticism and relentless work ethic aid him on that end of the floor, where he’s developed into a lockdown defender.
Trevor Keels
Trevor
Keels
6'4" | SG
Paul VI | 2021
State
#18
Nation
VA
| Paul VI ’21
Keels is not often recognized for his defense, but it’s something that he does very well. He has guarded some of the top wings in the country and held his own, particularly this past season.
Donovahn Keyes | Fairfax Christian ’21
Keyes is an aggressive defender who can guard the 1 or the 2. He picks up full court and is very strong at the point of attack.
Steven Lincoln | Yorktown ’21
Lincoln is a robustly built wing with quick feet and long arms. He’s one of the best pickpockets in the region but is also very disciplined and can simply stay in front of his man when asked.
Lorenzo Nichols | Stonewall Jackson ’22
Nichols is a smaller guard who can impact the game by pressuring opposing ball-handlers. His quickness helps him quite a bit on that end of the floor.
Manny Ojo | Osbourn ’21
Ojo is an absolute pest defensively on the ball. He’s aggressive at the point of attack and is quick enough to make it extremely difficult to get past him.
Tyshaun Pulley | Christ Chapel ’21
Pulley is a solid on-ball defender who demonstrates textbook defensive posture. Good luck getting past him as he’s one of the more focused defenders you’ll find.
Caleb Satchell Caleb Satchell 6'2" | SG Potomac Senior | 2021 State VA | Potomac ’21
Satchell is the ultimate glue guy who takes pride in his defense. There may be games where he won’t score for long stretches, but in that time he’s not gonna let his man score either.
