Hot Summer Series: Defenders to Watch in June

<p>The "Hot Summer 5" series looking at different categories of players and age groups and break down the 5 guys who to look for in that category!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Today we look at 5 defenders who need to be on your radars this June!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jamon Wilson, 5’9 PG, Highland Park, 2025:</strong> A blur on both ends of the floor and plays with tremendous tenacity and energy that combined with his elite quickness, makes him an elite on ball defender and guy who can blow up passing lanes for steals. Has a tough mind set on the defensive end, can get over on ball screens, go under and contest, go third on down screens, and isn’t afraid to switch onto bigger guys and can still make life tough for them. Wilson backs up his tremendous defense with a solid offensive game that incorporates a nice floater game and playmaking with the ball.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1080185" first="BJ" last="Redic"],<strong> 6’3 G, Andover, 2023 (Pictured):</strong> A tough and physical guard both as a defender and offensive weapon. Redic has the skill set and athleticism to guard just about anyone and is a maestro at creating transition opportunities through forcing tough shots, getting strips of the ball, or deflections leading to run outs. Stays low on the defensive end, walls up on drives, and puts a great amount of pressure on ball handlers. Redic is a sneaky good weakside shot blocker as well with his anticipation and spring off the floor. His defensive ability helps him get to what he does best on offense, get to the rack in transition.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1268858" first="Jackson" last="Swartz"],<strong> 6’5 W, Chaparral, 2023:</strong> An extremely long and athletic wing player who just fills it up on the defensive end with blocking shots, creating turnovers into transition opportunities, and is a tremendous defensive rebounder with the ability to push himself in transition. Swartz can fly and cover a ton of ground in a hurry from the help side, and can stay in front of a multiple of play offensive play styles of guards. Swartz’s ability to play up and above the rim not only helps him finish at a super efficient level as a scorer, but he is a good rim protector as well as a wing player.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Alan Hanna, 6’3 W/F, Maize, 2025:</strong> A young wing/forward hybrid player with a huge upside to him and one who should see a huge role expansion this year for his high school and excited to see it take hold this month. Hanna is as athletic as the come and he backs it up with toughness, effort, and skill. Hanna is dominant in the open court and likes to use defense to get to offense as he tries to get into passing lanes, block shots into the open court, anticipate crossovers for pick offs, and is a big time rebounder. Hanna’s athletic ability and defensive prowess entering year 2 of his high school run gives him a chance to turn heads.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1146272" first="Brian" last="Hawthorne"], <strong>6’3 PG, St James, 2023:</strong> A rock solid point guard on both ends of the floor with a high IQ that he displays on both ends as well. Reads guys he is guarding really well land understands what they’re trying to accomplish which allows him to cut guys off and keep the ball out of the paint. Has great size on the perimeter, crashes and rebounds well, and is tough to score over or through as an opposing guard. As much as Hawthorne has the ability to make life easier for his teammates on the offensive end with his playmaking, his ability to contain the ball makes life easier for his teammates on the defensive end as well.</p>