Cedar City Showcase 2 Recap: Top Defenders

<p>The second Cedar City showcase took place on February 20th and 21st in Cedar City Utah. The event featured over 17 Nevada-based programs and offered an opportunity for players to gain some long-overdue exposure. It also featured several lock-down defenders. In this article, we take a look at the top defensive players from the event. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1044822" first="Naurese" last="Meno"] <em>6’3 SG OTTG 2021 (#77PHN 2021)</em> - This is the second consecutive time that I’ve watched Meno and his defense jumped out at me. He played with great effort and energy when on ball, and showed good defensive IQ sliding over and helping on drives. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1022287" first="Khaman" last="Maker"] <em>7’1 C LV Shooters 2024 (#2PHN 2024)</em> <em>(featured image)</em> - Easily the top defensive player at the event and one of the top defensive players in the country. His rim protection is worth at least 10 -15 points per game. His size is obvious, but it’s his ability to be rangy that makes him so tough. Maker doesn’t just block shots at the rim but is also able to contest <a href="https://twitter.com/7outzbballclub1/status/1363519032498868224">jumpers outside the arc</a>. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1143558" first="Chris" last="White"] <em>5’10 PG LV Shooters 2022</em> - White used his quick feet and hands to harass ballhandlers all day. It was tough for people to beat him off the dribble and he often forced mistakes simply by staying in front of his man. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1044827" first="Anthony" last="Pittman"] <em>6’0 PG Hard 2 Guard 2022 (#50PHN 2022)</em> - Pittman is a pitbull-type defender that was terrific on ball. He has a low center of gravity, and displayed good upper body strength warding off driving defenders. His lateral quickness and overall foot speed make it difficult for opponents to get by him. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="927136" first="Max" last="Heinz"] <em>6’1 SG Team Rogue 2021 (#42PHN 2021)</em> - [player_tooltip player_id="927136" first="Max" last="Heinz"] has always been a terrific help defender, but now you have to start thinking about him as a straight-up lockdown on-ball defender. Heinz harassed the top ballhandlers at the event, picking them up full court and forcing them into several mistakes. He understands defensive rotations well and has no problem sacrificing his body to take charges.  </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="985598" first="Sean" last="Klekas"] <em>6’0 PG Elko 2021 (#95PHN 2021)</em> - Klekas is a high IQ defender that guards on ball. It’s all toughness with him, as he battled bigger, and faster players all day on Sunday. He does a good job of staying in front and rarely reaches, preferring to harass his opponent into mistakes simply by being present. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="927116" first="Cameron" last="Kimble"] <em>6’4 SG Verdict 2021 (#9PHN 2021)</em> - I’ve said it for a while now, Cam Kimble is the best help defender in the state. He didn’t disappoint on Sunday. He took too many charges to count and refused to allow his defender to beat him off the bounce. His size, length, and quickness allow him to defend 1-3 and he takes pride in defending the best player on the other team. He was magnificent all around on Sunday, and his defensive effort was a huge part. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/7outzbballclub1">Follow Prep Hoops</a></p>