<p>Let me make this clear. When I speak about toughness in the basketball sense, it has nothing to do with fighting. Basketball toughness is the ability to miss two consecutive shots, and come back and knock down the 3rd, or to step over and take that charge from the linebacker playing bball. Overall toughness is the ability to play through the highs and lows of the game, while staying focused on giving your team the best chance to win. In this article we take a look at the 20 toughest players in Las Vegas.</p>
<p>1. [player_tooltip player_id="927144" first="Davyon" last="Rowe"] <em>6’0 SF Basic 2021 (#48PHN 2021)</em> - Easy choice here. "Dayday" will defend every position on the floor for you regardless of the size or strength of the opponent. Pound for pound the toughest player in the state.</p>
<p>2. [player_tooltip player_id="1025207" first="Vinny" last="Veikalas"] <em>6’3 SG Valley 2021</em> - Veikalas is returning to the state after a year in Colorodo. A bull who gets tough in the paint buckets.</p>
<p>3. [player_tooltip player_id="927136" first="Max" last="Heinz"] <em>6’1 SF Faith Lutheran (#42PHN 2021)</em> - Similar to Rowe, Heinz defends multiple positions like his life depends on it.</p>
<p>4. [player_tooltip player_id="858155" first="John" last="Board"] <em>6’1 SG Basic 2021 (#19PHN 2021)</em> <em>(featured image)</em> - Board embodies the heart and soul of the Wolves. Hard nose defender that backs down from no one.</p>
<p>5. [player_tooltip player_id="799307" first="Lorenzo" last="Abellar"]<em> 5’8 PG Liberty (#14PHN 2021)</em> - Pitbull defender that relishes the opportunity to pick up ballhandlers full court.</p>
<p>6. [player_tooltip player_id="858164" first="Fernando" last="Carmona"] <em>6’5 PF Las Vegas 2021 (#26PHN 2021)</em> - Bruising post that does all the dirty work necessary for his team to be successful.</p>
<p>7. [player_tooltip player_id="533057" first="Anthony" last="Swift"] <em>6’6 PF Desert Pines 2021 (#5PHN 2021)</em> - One of the fiercest competitors in the state. Brings high level energy to rim protection and defensive rebounding.</p>
<p>8. [player_tooltip player_id="927118" first="Frank" last="Bartley"] <em>6’0 PG Spring Valley 2021 (#17PHN 2021)</em> - Just flat out tough. A basketball guy that uses his football skills.</p>
<p>9. [player_tooltip player_id="927134" first="Tyson" last="Guild"] <em>6’5 PF Durango 2021 (#40PHN 2021)</em> - Athletic low post defender, rebounder and rim protector.</p>
<p>10. [player_tooltip player_id="985587" first="Demetrius" last="Williams"] <em>6’1 SG Liberty 2021 (#75PHN 2021)</em> - Tough on ball defender that challenges every bounce by the offensive player.</p>
<p>11. [player_tooltip player_id="985630" first="Nakalya" last="Fabello"] <em>5’10 PG Valley 2023 (#13PHN 2023)</em> - Gritty player that puts his heart into every possession. </p>
<p>12. [player_tooltip player_id="799320" first="Semaj" last="Threats"] <em>5’9 PG Desert Pines 2021 (#28PHN 2021)</em> - Gritty on ball defender, explosive R&J athlete, and one of the better rebounding guards in the state.</p>
<p>13. [player_tooltip player_id="859641" first="Damion" last="Byrd"] <em>5’10 PG Slam 2022 (#10PHN 2022)</em> - Stone faced assassin with a next play mentality.</p>
<p>14. [player_tooltip player_id="986955" first="DJ" last="Thomas"] <em>5’10 PG Liberty 2024 (#2PHN 2024)</em> - Deserves to be on this list for his mental toughness alone. Ultimate next play guy.</p>
<p>15. [player_tooltip player_id="859644" first="Dontrell" last="Johnson"] <em>6’5 PF Bonanza 2022 (#11PHN 2021)</em> - No coach will ever walk into to a gym and question if [player_tooltip player_id="859644" first="Dontrell" last="Johnson"] plays hard.</p>
<p>16. [player_tooltip player_id="986961" first="Gregory" last="Burrell"] <em>6’0 SG 2024 (#12PHN 2024)</em> - Probably will be on this list as long as he plays in this state. High motor player that forces opponents to bring similar energy or lose.</p>
<p>17. [player_tooltip player_id="1020764" first="Donte" last="Turner"] <em>6’2 SF Cimarron 2022</em> - Tough defender who can guard multiple positions.</p>
<p>18. [player_tooltip player_id="1020769" first="Dominic" last="Washington"] <em>5’8 PG Green Valley 2022</em> - Undersized PG that harasses ballhandlers.</p>
<p>19. [player_tooltip player_id="985637" first="Tylen" last="Riley"] <em>6’0 SG Durango 2023 (#25PHN 2023)</em> - Riley makes this list simply because of his willingness to compete everyday against some of the top perimeter players in the state.</p>
<p>20. [player_tooltip player_id="1032090" first="Dominic" last="Ervin"]<em> 6’1 SF 2023</em> - Aptly nicknamed "Crash" Ervin constantly sacrifices his body for rebounds and on the defensive end.</p>
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