Prep Hoops Circuit: Top 2021 Illinois Defenders

<p>Time to dive into the superlatives from the Prep Hoops Circuit.  In this series we look at specific skills and classes for who shined the most in that area during the PHC.  Here is our <strong>Prep Hoops Circuit: Top 2021 Illinois Defenders</strong>!<strong><br /> <br /> </strong><br /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="921025" first="Jackson" last="Gitterle"] (Sharks Basketball Blue)</strong></p> <p>Tough and gritty defender that got steals and took them the other way.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920963" first="Hamahrie" last="Bowers"] (Team MORE/Illinois Hoopstars National)</strong></p> <p>Bowers is a lengthy wing defender that can check three spots and uses his long arms to swat shots.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="652746" first="Luke" last="Braman"] (HIT)</strong></p> <p>Braman is a good rim protector with his long arms and decent timing on that end.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920949" first="Brian" last="Mathews"] (HIT)</strong></p> <p>The UMass commit was like a brick wall on the defensive end keeping his hands up making it difficult for slashers to score and walled up against opposing posts.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920983" first="Ashawn" last="Burbridge"] (Illinois T-Wolves)</strong></p> <p>Burbridge brings versatility as a defender being able to defend either forward spot inside and out.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920967" first="Donald" last="Coats"] (Illinois Hoopstars National)</strong></p> <p>Lanky forward that used his physical gifts guarding threes and fours.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="765217" first="KJ" last="Debrick"] (Illinois Hoopstars National)</strong></p> <p>Debrick’s defense has always been ahead of his offense.  He is an excellent shot blocker that has timing and feel for it.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920978" first="Kyonte" last="Thomas"] (Illinois Hoopstars Nelson)</strong></p> <p>The Patrick Beverly of this class.  Point guard that is a dog on the defensive end getting into his opponents space and not letting them move.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Nick Spannaus (Illinois Hoopstars White)</strong></p> <p>This forward had a breakout start to the summer and a big part of that was his defensive capabilities.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920947" first="Kimahri" last="Wilson"] (Beyond Ball College Prospects)</strong></p> <p>Wilson is more known for his offense, but he consistently turned his opponents over with his pesky on ball defense.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="952130" first="Kennedy" last="Brown"] (Team RWA)</strong></p> <p>Brown is a shot blocking presence that protects the rim with his mobility and timing.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920986" first="Sincere" last="Malone"] (Team RWA)</strong></p> <p>Malone can guard multiple positions on the floor and was a shot blocking presence.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="821763" first="Jakobi" last="Heady"] (God’s Gift/Young &amp; Reckless)</strong></p> <p>Like Malone, Heady can check an array of spots and covers ground laterally in passing lanes with his length.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920971" first="Phillip" last="Berryhill"] (CD Elite)</strong></p> <p>Berryhill has all the physical tools to be a plus defender down the line with his length and athleticism.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Enari Thomas (CD Elite)</strong></p> <p>Thomas brings toughness and grit defensively which produced steals and points on the other end.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="821751" first="Kai" last="Evans"] (Illinois Stars)</strong></p> <p>Powerful wing was impactful defender with his tenacity guarding on the perimeter.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="995974" first="Tyvin" last="Garrison"] (Illinois Phenom)</strong></p> <p>Garrison is an excellent shot blocker with how he can come from the weak side or recover.</p>