Top Rim Protectors in VA

While we’ve been updating our rankings and breaking down content on those, we decided to take a look at some of the best specialists in different areas of the state. Today, we take a look at some of the top rim protectors in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="815577" first="Maliq" last="Brown"] | 6’8” PF | Blue Ridge ’22 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Brown-Maliq-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1149220" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Brown-Maliq-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Brown is one of the most versatile bigs in the country as he is excellent at switching and staying on wings and guards, but he really thrives in his ability to come help side or chase someone down and protect the rim. He understands rotations and is always in help side, he’s quick off his feet and has excellent timing and he can both block shots and wall up and contest without fouling. [player_tooltip player_id="798689" first="Houston" last="Emory"] | 6’10” C | Blue Ridge ’22 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Emory-Houston2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1025491" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Emory-Houston2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> If you’re coming down the lane against Blue Ridge and can somehow avoid Brown, you have to deal with his 6’10” front court mate Emory who has intimidating size and crazy length that alters shots from pretty much anyone. He’s very smart and plays with a good motor on the defensive end, he is more springy than he looks and he has a quick first and second jump to contest multiple shots. [player_tooltip player_id="1107840" first="Reis" last="Jones"] | 6’7” PF | Flint Hill ’22 Jones is an up and coming big that will look like a totally different player in a few years, but one place that he makes a big impact is his ability to contest shots and get it off the glass with his length. He has a ridiculous wingspan and good bounce when he comes help side, he can close the gap quickly and he can chase guys down with his speed too. [player_tooltip player_id="815605" first="Obinna" last="Okafor"] | 6’7” C | Bethel ’22 Okafor has been one of the top interior defenders in the 757 the past few years, and he’s a guy who will meet you when you get downhill with absolutely no fear. With his long arms and solid frame he can stop guys on the move of takeoff or at the rim, he rotates well and he has impeccable timing to challenge shots and get blocks without fouling. [player_tooltip player_id="1107838" first="Chris" last="Brown"] | 6’3” SG | Peninsula Catholic ‘22 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Brown-Chris.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1091299" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Brown-Chris-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Yes, you are seeing a 6’3” shooting guard put in this list because almost every time that I have seen Brown play he has made excellent plays at the rim coming help side or in transition. He’s absolutely fearless and doesn’t care who is challenging him, he’s very bouncy and can go to the top floor with guys and he has a toughness about him where he simply doesn’t care and will always challenge if he gets the opportunity. [player_tooltip player_id="999617" first="Carter" last="Lang"] | 6’9" C | STAB ’23 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Lang-Carter-ECE-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1273952" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Lang-Carter-ECE-2-239x300.jpg" alt="" width="239" height="300" /></a> Lang isn’t the most athletic guy on this list but with his huge frame and long arms he’s able to challenge almost anyone at the rim. He plays with a good motor on both ends and will make the hustle plays which includes coming help side, he is able to wall up and challenge without fouling and just he’s sheer presence in the paint makes it tough for driving guards to finish. [player_tooltip player_id="999635" first="Josh" last="Sime"] | 6’8” PF | Western Albemarle ’23 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Sime-Josh.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1136764" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Sime-Josh-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Sime isn’t super intimidating from a physical standpoint in the paint, but he owns it as a guy who will challenge shots against guards and against bigger post guys and likely will get the upper hand. He’s long and bouncy and is always in the right place to challenge someone, he has good hang time and timing as to when to swat and he isn’t afraid to put you down if he isn’t able to get the block. [player_tooltip player_id="815595" first="Judah" last="Egbo"] | 6’8” C | Life Christian Academy ’23 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/Egba-Judah.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1114404" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/01/Egba-Judah-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Egbo has that mix you like as a rim protector as he’s mobile, explosive and plays with a great motor and takes pride on the defensive end. He has a quick first and second jump to challenge multiple shots, he can cover ground well and come help side or chase down in transition and he can close out on shooters or go chest up with other bigs in the paint.