The War: All-Defensive Team

The War, presented by War Hoop Events, gave us what might possibly be the last grassroots tournament or event of the year, seeing as though the school year is starting for most kids in Texas. This event consisted of the absolute best teams in Dallas along with some of the top teams from Utah, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. The building was filled with talent and future NBA prospects, this tournament had every type of recruit from the class of 2021-24 that a college coach could possibly be looking for. Here are a few of the top-performing defensive players from this past weekend at The War. [player_tooltip player_id="779870" first="Zhuric" last="Phelps"] | Point Guard | Texas Impact 4:13 | 2021 |<img class="size-medium wp-image-1046499 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/IMG_3439-133x300.jpg" alt="" width="133" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="779870" first="Zhuric" last="Phelps"] is always an awesome competitor to watch play basketball, but his defense always seems to stand out the most. Any gym Phelps steps in he’s usually the best defender. This young man is a defensive wizard that doesn’t give up anything easy whatsoever, Zhuric even makes inbounding the ball difficult, he got plenty of steals on the throw-in, usually after scoring a basket himself. Amazingly quick feet, hands, reaction, and recovery as a defender, he’s always able to play top-notch help defense and still not lose track of his man or give up open shots. He also defended shots at the rim on bigger and taller guys, getting a hand or two on the ball at it’s highest peak, it was a truly remarkable sight to see. [player_tooltip player_id="779870" first="Zhuric" last="Phelps"] is one of the top two best defensive guards in the state and possibly the nation, he brings an unbelievable motor and effort that you just don’t find anywhere. <div style="text-align: center;"> [player_tooltip player_id="787330" first="Aric" last="Demings"] | Point Guard | Southern Assault 15U | 2023 |<img class="size-medium wp-image-1046490 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/IMG_3358-150x300.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="787330" first="Aric" last="Demings"] brought out his lockdown defense to this event, picking up his man full court the entire game and shutting down any player that was sent his way. Aric showed the capability of playing great defense without using his hands and body, he has high-level footwork and quick choppy feet that moved fast enough to stay in front of even the quickest ball handlers on the court. Demings’ defensive presence seemed incredibly frustrating for his opposition, forcing his opponents into turnovers and into taking bad or unusual shots that they normally wouldn’t take. [player_tooltip player_id="787330" first="Aric" last="Demings"] proved to be a defensive pest, his skills were at their best this past weekend, looking more than ready for his season at Duncanville High School. </div> Bryson Mitchell | Power Forward | PB Nation | 2021 |<img class="size-medium wp-image-1046484 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/IMG_3414-121x300.jpg" alt="" width="121" height="300" />Bryson Mitchell had the responsibility of protecting the paint while also guarding the biggest players on the court and he did an exceptional job of doing so. Standing at 6 foot 7 inches, Mitchell has a great combination of length and athleticism that he used effectively against bigger and taller players, most having a hard time with getting a clean look off with him in their face. His ability to contest shots down low without fouling was impressive, Bryson has a phenomenal standing reach and he used it perfectly by going straight up with two hands to alter the shot. Nothing was safe in his house, he swatted away shots by chasing them down and playing high-quality help defense. Bryson Mitchell defended everything in his vicinity and rarely got into foul trouble despite his aggression. Jaxson Ford | Power Forward/Center | Texas Tar Heels | 2024 |<img class="size-medium wp-image-1046485 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/IMG_3401-161x300.jpg" alt="" width="161" height="300" />This freshman from Prosper high school was completely committed to locking down the paint and giving up no layups or shots inside, Ford altered shots left and right. He showed excellent shot-blocking instincts, he gets on the ground so quickly, has impeccable timing, positioning, hands, and eyes for the ball when it goes up. Jaxson’s combination of size, length, and explosiveness is what makes him such a quality rim protector who will likely develop into an elite shot-blocker. Jaxson Ford appeared to be one of the best defenders in the entire tournament, his ability to shut down the paint was a major key in the dominance of the Texas Tar Heels this past weekend. <div> [player_tooltip player_id="1007338" first="Terin" last="Johnson"] | Power Forward | Dallas Showtyme | 2021 |<img class="size-medium wp-image-1046520 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/IMG_3427-116x300.jpg" alt="" width="116" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="1007338" first="Terin" last="Johnson"] is one of the only guys I witnessed all weekend to guard the 6’10 center from Utah effectively. He sealed off the paint and denied any passes to the go-to-guy down low. A dominating defensive post presence, Johnson looked like a true rim-protector, throwing everything away, he had several blocks and even a few that he slapped off of the backboard. Terin’s timing and anticipation allow him to be a big time one on one shot-blocking threat. Great physicality and strength, not many guys are going to out-physical him. He’s not afraid to battle for boards, or bang with guys that are posting up, his base is strong enough to hold his ground against bigger players when being backed down. [player_tooltip player_id="1007338" first="Terin" last="Johnson"] displayed the tools to become a highly effective defender on perimeter and also in the post. </div>