Defensive Standouts at MSU Denver Team Camp

<p>Lonzo Rodgers – Cherokee Trail – 2024 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG-0381-rotated-e1655134205537.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1483286 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG-0381-rotated-e1655134205537-209x300.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="215" /></a></p> <p>Although only standing around 5’9, Rodgers is one of the grittiest perimeter players available in 5A basketball. Deployed primarily as a point of attack defender versus opposing guards, Rodgers’ quick feet and aggressive hands have cemented him as a terror on the perimeter. The guard may also be deployed as a cutter or secondary scorer when needed. He showed touch on floaters with the right hand, a necessary skill for him given his size disadvantages. Although not ranked, Rodgers should be ascending up rankings due to his defensive tenacity.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG-0407-1-crop-2753x1808-1655134867.jpg"><img class="alignleft wp-image-1483314 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG-0407-1-crop-2753x1808-1655134867-e1655135021226-219x300.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="205" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1351375" first="Jayce" last="King"] – FoCo – 2024 </p> <p>At 6’, King was fearless on both ends as a defensive instigator at the point of attack and uses his quick first step to create advantages inside the arc. Time and time again, King found ways to get downhill with a couple dribble moves, often favoring a right hand in and out move. Once getting downhill, he showed bit of footwork craft as a inside scorer, going to a spin move for the right hand multiple times. This upcoming season will be a big test for King, ranking seventh in 2024 for combo guards. </p> <p>Xavier Davis – Pueblo Central – 2024 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG-0415-rotated-e1655134349553.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1483294 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG-0415-rotated-e1655134349553-164x300.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="220" /></a></p> <p>Davis was another surprise out of Pueblo Central, the young guard maximized his length to deter shots and create scoring opportunities. Standing roughly 6’2, Davis was excellent as a help side defender who could bang with bigger athletes while maintaining a conservative stance. A big part of Davis’s success was his positioning, rarely fouling opposition who created contact. Davis and his brother La’Damien will be a dynamic duo out of Central this winter.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/DSC_0738.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1215879 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/DSC_0738-e1655134411828-244x300.jpg" alt="" width="172" height="211" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="972418" first="Jayson" last="Lewis"] - Smoky Hill - 2023 </p> <p>Lewis thrives in transition on both ends, proven through his excellent conditioning. At 6’ tall with long arms, Lewis had a steady defensive performance as a key one on one defender who helped slow down opposing primary options. One of the oldest guys with a youthful Smoky Hill group, Lewis was an influential leader who helped direct defensive rotations. Ranking 25th on our combo guards, Lewis can be deployed in a variety of ways as a point of attack defender while being a consistent floor spacer off the catch.</p> <p>Kyle Hayden – Doherty - 2023<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG-0439-1-e1655134686945.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1483298 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/IMG-0439-1-e1655134686945-207x300.jpg" alt="" width="145" height="210" /></a></p> <p>Although only about 6’3, Hayden was aggressive as an interior defender along with maximizing his positional strength versus drives. Although not being a big time vertical athlete, he was excellent contesting shots by getting into opponents’ hips and keeping his arms straight up. Continuing to leverage his positioning without fouling will be essential for him both on the perimeter and interior.</p> <p>Carter Basquez - Smoky Hill - 2026</p> <p>Basquez is an incredibly intriguing 6’3 wing who’s barely cracked his potential on either end. Possessing long arms and a gritty mindset, he is capable guarding three positions when disciplined. Swiss army knife best describes Basquez, given his multipositional versatility. He can bring the ball up, fight for a rebound over a bigger opponent, or guard the best opposing player when needed. While I have yet to discern what his best skill is offensively, know that he goes all out in transition and fights on every possession.</p>