#NEXTSouthwestKickOff: Most Impressive Lockdown Defenders

Edmond, Oklahoma — The Prep Hoops Next Southwest Kick Off, hosted at The Hive, brought some of the best rising talents out of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The competition was competitive and high scoring for all ages, these prospects brought an abundance of intensity and energy from day to day. Here we’ll take a look at a few of the most impressive defensive standouts that made major contributions and game-changing impacts throughout the weekend.

Kaimen Robinson | Post | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Tulsa Hawks 2029

Kaimen Robinson understood his role as a rim protector and he played it to perfection. Whenever Robinson’s opponent penetrated the lane he stepped up and attempted to block anything in his path, fantastic as a helpside defender that took pride in saving his team from giving up an open layup. Terrific shot blocker with both hands, it felt as if Kaimen swatted a shot on every other possession. The Oklahoma prospect effectively challenged scorers with his length, his knack for contesting every shot that came inside sometimes resulted in fouls but it made players think twice before coming in again, forcing teams to settle for long jumpshot and floaters. The anchor on the defensive end, this kid led day 1 in blocked shots, showing a high amount of potential as a rim protector. Very tall and lengthy talent with natural shot-blocking instincts, he gets off the ground quickly, has good timing, a quick second jump, and phenomenal anticipation. 

Noel Salomon | Guard | Manila, AR | Woodz Elite 2028

A sneaky defender with a ball hawk mentality and incredible awareness. Salomon disrupted multiple possessions defensively as he came out of nowhere ripping the ball out of mid-air, often stopping a team from crossing halfcourt thanks to his threatening nature in the throwing lanes. 

Maxwell Robinson | Post | Dallas, TX | AKR Texas Summitt / Vols Elite 2028

Long and lengthy prospect, Maxwell Robinson proved to be an outstanding paint protector that excelled at shutting off angles to the basket, forcing guys out of position, off the block, disrupting interior passing lanes, and Robinson was also a threat to alter any shot from the free-throw line in, he stuffed shots down low without ever leaving his feet and often packed shots with ferocity, showing off his physicality as a shot blocker. 

Evan Nanez | Point Guard | Roswell, NM | ABC Spotlight 2027 

Terrific on-ball defender, Nanez constantly pushed opposing ball-handlers to their weak hand, made them uncomfortable, and didn’t allow any guard to set up their offense properly, putting great pressure on the ball and consistently forcing them back towards the halfcourt line or causing them to throw inaccurate, rushed, off-balance pass.  

Avis Rhodes | Guard | Jacksonville, AR | Next Page Force 2027

Avis Rhodes is gifted with long arms, big hands, a high IQ, elite defensive instincts, and pesky defensive talents. He showcased excellent lateral quickness, he defended with his body and feet, showed quick active hands, crowded his man’s space, and baited his opponent into throwing a reckless pass which Rhodes often deflected or stole. His super speed made him a terror in the passing lanes, this young baller got up and down the court faster than most allowing him to never give up on a play defensively. 

Tyler Wallace | Center | Dallas, TX | Prep Starz 2026

6-foot-4-inch, Tyler Wallace showed potential to become an elite defender and a dominant shot blocker. Wallace had multiple moments where he completely shut the paint down, every layup or floater inside of the post was either heavily contested or blocked, his massive standing reach cut off whatever view the shooter had of the hoop on a consistent basis. Wallace is an extremely raw prospect that can be morphed into a dynamic rim protector and also scoring threat in transition, he’s someone that can eventually become a lob threat as his athleticism develops.