PG County’s Top-10 On-Ball Defenders

<p>Who are the top on-ball defenders currently attending school in Prince George’s County? The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the very best, regardless of class. Below you will find, listed in alphabetical order by last name, 10 of the best on-ball defenders from PG County. This is part of a series that will aim to highlight players based on various superlatives.</p> <p><em>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.</em></p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="904653" first="Mikhai" last="Arnold"] | Frederick Douglass ’22</h5> <p>Arnold’s on-ball defense could be considered underrated. He’s been a pillar at the point of attack for a traditionally good defensive team at Douglass. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="902003" first="David" last="Brown III"] | Bishop McNamara ’21</h5> <p>Owning long arms and quick feet, Brown has flashed high-level defensive potential over the years and began to realize it this past season. He understands where his help his and does a good job funneling opposing ball-handlers towards it while obscuring passing lanes with his activity.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="836479" first="Guy" last="Fauntleroy"] | Rock Creek Christian ’21</h5> <p>Fauntleroy is a menacing on-ball defender who suffocates opponents with active hands and relentless pressure. He’s a pick-pocket of sorts who is very adept at plucking the ball away from those he’s matched up against. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="775338" first="Elijah" last="Hawkins"] | DeMatha ’21</h5> <p>Pest would be the best word to describe Hawkins on defense. He’s known for applying constant pressure on the ball, picking his man up full court, and forcing turnovers on command. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="902004" first="Jordan" last="Hawkins"] | DeMatha ’21</h5> <p>Hawkins has blossomed into a reliable on-ball defender at DeMatha. The long lanky wing was often matched up against some top-level perimeter players and held his own.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="904678" first="Ifanieye" last="Lewis"] | Eleanor Roosevelt ’22</h5> <p>Lewis has quickly established a reputation as one of the most tenacious on-ball defenders in the entire state. He is a lanky guard who truly has a knack for locking up whoever he’s matched up against. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="837960" first="Delonte" last="Raynor"] | Fairmont Heights ’22</h5> <p>Raynor is a big guard who uses his length to make things difficult for his opponents. His abilities will only continue to be enhanced as his broad frame fills out and he gets stronger. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="904650" first="Willie" last="Rivera"] Jr. | Rock Creek Christian ’22</h5> <p>One thing that you can always count on with Rivera is that he will compete on the defensive end. He cares about his performance on that end of the floor and takes pride in making things difficult for his matchup. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="904623" first="Trey" last="Thomas"] | Wise ’22</h5> <p>Thomas is a generally competitive defender and this is impressive when you consider his responsibility on the offensive end. It’s rare to see a player care about holding his own on both ends of the floor these days, but that’s exactly what he does. Thomas displays the physical and mental tools to become a truly elite defender, and he’s well on his way to achieving that. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="777065" first="Tyrell" last="Ward"] | DeMatha ’22</h5> <p>A rangy defender with length and athleticism, Ward makes some eye-opening plays on the defensive end. He covers ground quickly, recovers at an above-average rate, and his coordination helps him rack up the defensive stats. </p>