Lockdown Perimeter Defenders from Mayhem in the Plex

<p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG-4673-rotated-e1652655696187.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1456311 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG-4673-rotated-e1652655696187-224x300.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="201" /></a>Ian Kariuki - RBC</p> <p>Kariuki helped RBC with a competitive weekend due to his quick lateral movement and unlimited motor. Consistently guarding the opposing team’s best ballhandler, Kariuki was a pest every single possession. His quick feet and reactionary hands allowed him to tip away passes or dribbles. Another area of strength was his verbal communication, consistently guiding teammates into the correct help side spots. Kariuki was especially dependable getting to rim thanks to his aggressive playstyle and the jittery style of play.</p> <p>Matis Lukalema - RBC - Eaton - 2024<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG-4679-rotated-e1652655619519.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1456309 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG-4679-rotated-e1652655619519-271x300.jpg" alt="" width="172" height="190" /></a></p> <p>Lukalema was another staunch defender with RBC, standing roughly 6’1, the guard did not allow anyone to get by him one on one. Like Kariuki, Lukalema prides himself on getting stops and making the opponents’ lives miserable. His strong frame allowed him to take contact and maintain balance against quick dribble moves. Given his age, Lukalema will be one of the better perimeter defenders in the region for the next couple years.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG-4711-rotated-e1652655552102.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1456307 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG-4711-rotated-e1652655552102-300x271.jpg" alt="" width="242" height="219" /></a>Jeremiah Washington - Pro Skills ATX Red - Hutto - 2023</p> <p>Washington was a sneaky good athlete with Austin Pros Skills at roughly 5’11, doing well as a fundamentally sound defensive guard. What made Washington so dependable was his patience and composure, rarely bighting on pump fakes or explosive dribble moves. Washington possesses long arms, where he seemed to average between two to three blocks per game, often times not fouling or bailing out the opponent. On the other end, Washington was an excellent complementary floor spacer who could get his shot off in no time. Given his shooting gravity, he did well reeling in defenders and attacking the basket, where he made the extra pass or finished over size.</p> <p>Adam Herod - B.O.L.D. - Wylie East - 2023<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG-4604-rotated-e1652655398376.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1456304 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG-4604-rotated-e1652655398376-300x283.jpg" alt="" width="213" height="201" /></a></p> <p>The 6’2 combo guard demonstrated sneaky bounce along with a developed frame, allowing him to take hits without being moved. On one transition play, Herod caught a body on the break, going right handed over them with ease. This vertical pop also translates to his lateral movement, where he was comfortable matching up with the majority of opposing guards. Offensively, Herod was dynamic as a scorer off the catch or the drive. The guard was dependable hitting jumpers off the catch or going into two dribble pullups when needed. Herod was a natural with B.O.L.D. as they are patient, looking for the best shot possible before going to a jumper off the bounce. Getting to the rim was another strength of Herod, where his strength allowed him to finish through contact on multiple occassions.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG-4606-rotated-e1652655463652.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1456305 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG-4606-rotated-e1652655463652-300x261.jpg" alt="" width="241" height="210" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1295909" first="Corleone" last="Dandridge"] - B.O.L.D. - 2023</p> <p>Another Wylie East product, Dandridge was a consistent stabilizing force on both ends at 6’4. Showing improvement over the years from playing a rim rolling big, Dandridge has continued to work on his ability to attack closeouts and hit more jumpers with a hand in his face. Given his excellent frame, Dandridge was capable guarding 2-4 and even a few point guards. He did well defending opposing forwards in the post, either fronting the pass or outmuscling them when they attempted creating position. The wing also possesses a uniquely long wingspan, when paired with his core strength he has been excellent protecting the paint or sliding out to the perimeter.</p>