Clash of Champions All-Defensive Team

Devontae Cobb July 29, 2020 @ 02:26 PM

Clash of the Champions presented by Champions of Sports, was filled with excitement and action-packed games. The varsity level of the tournament consisted of teams from all over Texas. I got the chance to see some promising 2021 graduates that are entering their final high school season of basketball. Here we take a look at the best standout defensive players from Clash of Champions.

Top Defensive Prospect of the Weekend
D.J. Modest - Guard - Abilene Select - Abilene High School - C/o 2021
Pesky, relentless defender with limitless amounts of energy. Modest was all over whoever had the ball, he didn’t give an inch of space, he put constant pressure on the ball, and often caused turnovers, D.J. was responsible for most of the turnovers his team produced. A true pest, extremely quick-moving feet, hands, and reaction time. There was no player that deflected or jumped more passes than D.J. Modest, he was excellent when it came to covering space, he seemed to always be in the right spot at the right time; he did it all without gambling, or putting his defense is a tough situation. Perfect defensive stance each possession, kept his eyes on the man and the ball at all times, there was no catching him off guard. D.J. Modest played his role and did his job to the best of his ability, he proved to be a smart and disciplined defender, great on-ball, and great off the ball, just an all-around threat defensively.

Brandon Burney - Guard - Texas Swish - Cedar Hill High School - C/o 2021Brandon Burney and his counterpart Bobby Flowers were the perfect defensive guard combo, they consistently locked down their man the moment he crossed half court. Burney’s contribution on the defensive end is something that won’t show on the stat sheet. He’s a quality defender, Brandon made his man a non-factor and took pride in it, the deny defense he played took his opponent out of the game. Brandon Burney showed high potential as a defender, he picked up his opponent the full 94 feet and did a good job of moving his feet, staying in front of his man, and not committing bad fouls.

Antonio Patterson Antonio Patterson 6'3" | SG South Oak Cliff | 2021 State TX - Guard/Forward - Texas Takeover - South Oak Cliff High School - C/o 2021An all-around defensive player that can guard every position on the floor. Elite size, has a strong solid frame that’s built for the next level. Patterson did his part when it came shutting the paint down and keeping guys out. He defended the rim every game like a center, even had block where he threw the shot off the glass. Very explosive, versatile defender who is aggressive but doesn’t gamble, he has the tenacity, the focus, and the anticipation to get the job done with his awareness along with his athleticism. That’s what makes him such a high-level defensive player, he’s able to rotate, closeout, play the passing lanes, rebound, and contest shots at the perimeter and inside.

Bobby Flowers - Guard - Texas Swish - O.D. Wyatt High School - C/o 2021Flowers was one of the more intense defenders in the gym, he found ways to pick up a couple of steals in each game. Bobby has quick choppy feet and hands that make it easier for him to get his hands on the ball when it’s least expected. He’s the type of player willing to sacrifice his body for his team, he’s not afraid to take a charge or dive on the floor for a loose ball. Bobby Flowers’s defensive nature was highly impressive, he took pride in his defense, and looked like one of the best defenders in the entire building.

Jaden Robinson Jaden Robinson 6'5" | PF I. L. T. | 2021 State TX - Forward - Texas Swish - International Leadership of Texas High School - C/o 2021Great defender with great instincts, Robinson displayed the rare ability to effectively guard every position from 1-5. Jaden allowed nothing easy in his house, he protected the paint so well that most teams relied heavily on their jump shooting, he even stepped out on the wing and defended guards without fouling or getting blown by. Jaden Robinson Jaden Robinson 6'5" | PF I. L. T. | 2021 State TX has a Dennis Rodman effect on the floor, he doesn’t need the ball to make a difference, he plays tough defense and dominates the boards.