DC’s Top-10 Shot Blockers

<p>Who are the top rim protectors currently attending school in the Nation’s Capital? 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 shot-blockers from Washington D.C. 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="902002" first="Quincy" last="Allen"] | Maret ’21</h5> <p>At 6-foot-7, Allen is a skilled wing who impacts the game in so many ways. What most people don’t know is that in his early days at Maret, he played the 4-5 position. Needless to say, his shot-blocking skills remain sharp. Allen still patrols the paint for the Frogs and is usually good for a block or two per game. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="957041" first="Thomas" last="Batties"] | Gonzaga ’23</h5> <p>Batties is a lanky forward who could play his way into a massive role next season. He is a smart team defender who blocks shots with relative ease because of his coordination and timing. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="777064" first="Darren" last="Buchanan Jr."] | Woodrow Wilson ’22</h5> <p>As the reigning DCIAA Player of the Year, Buchanan did a bit of everything for the Tigers, and that includes protecting the rim. The 6-foot-5 forward is a high-level athlete who served admirably as the team’s most forceful paint presence. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="954249" first="Christian" last="De La Rosa"] | EL Haynes ’21</h5> <p>De La Rosa is an active big man who plays above the rim on both ends of the floor. He’s the team’s most reliable shot-blocker and without a doubt one of the best in the city. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="957018" first="Amani" last="Hansberry"] | St. John’s ’23</h5> <p>Hansberry’s shot-blocking is one of the more underrated parts of his overall game. The 6-foot-7 forward has good length, coordination, and timing which aid him in his efforts to protect the rim. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="902067" first="Stanley" last="Marsh"] | Thurgood Marshall ’21</h5> <p>Listed at just 6-foot-3, Marsh plays much bigger than that thanks in part to his length. He’s a prideful rim protector who is highly coordinated and very active. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="777068" first="George" last="Perkins"] | Sidwell Friends ’22</h5> <p>Perkins is a long-armed forward who is very effective defensively on the backline. He’s a great communicator who positions himself well and is a natural shot-blocker. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="957035" first="Chris" last="Russell"] | Sidwell Friends ’23</h5> <p>Russell is quickly establishing himself as one of the best chase-down artists in the DMV. The 6-foot-6 big man always hustles back on defense and clearly enjoys swatting shots into the stands. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="777077" first="Stephaun" last="Walker"] | Coolidge ’22</h5> <p>This list would not be complete without mention of Walker. The 6-foot-6 forward oozes tons of defensive potential but is already a stat-stuffing machine. Walker is a high-level rim protector who has thrived as his team’s defensive anchor for the past two seasons. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="957028" first="Bryson" last="Wilson"] | Maret ’23</h5> <p>Wilson is a dynamic wing prospect with uber athleticism. He is not known for his shot-blocking ability in particular, but it’s still considered a strength of his overall game. </p>