Every team needs guys willing to sell out on the defensive end and for a lot of high school players that is the calling card that will get them to the next level. Effort, determination, and will are a few…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inEvery team needs guys willing to sell out on the defensive end and for a lot of high school players that is the calling card that will get them to the next level. Effort, determination, and will are a few things that separate the good from the great when it comes to defending and establishing yourself as a high-level defender is a great way to get you on the court and buy more time for your offensive game to develop.
I’ve spotlighted a few players from our 2023 rankings that I think have the tools to become defensive standouts and work their way towards an offer to play at the next level because of it.
Taylor has all the tools you look for in a potential defensive threat. He’s got super long arms, is ultra-athletic, and when his fire is lit his determination shows. He has rare fluidity out there that allows him to glide with long strides, stop on a dime, and change direction with ease. I would love to see him sell out on the defensive end this season as I believe he has the ability to be a top defender in his league.
This guy already hangs his hat on his defensive effort but there is always room to grow. Holliman brings great versatility on the defensive end, able to guard 1-4 thanks to his agility and strength. You can see how he locks in on ball, and his communication and awareness off of it are outstanding as well. A lot of minutes opened up at West Seattle after last season and Holliman has a chance to really display his defensive skills this year.
Smith is instinctually a good defender. He reads lazy passes, can time when to pick a ballhandler, and also makes good snap decisions to come off his man for well-timed double-teams. I’d like to see him continue to force turnovers and play with those great instincts, but also establish himself as a defender that forces tough shots regularly and make the quiet plays as well as the loud ones. He has the ability to be a player that impacts the game and each defensive possession.
Dewalt is a player who I’ve seen get hot in a hurry and on both ends of the floor, sinking buckets and creating turnovers. Entering his senior year, there is still a lot of potential left for him to reach. Most of that comes down to consistency. As an exceptional athlete, I think Dewalt has the ability to take on the opposing team’s best player night after night on the defensive end and be a real difference maker for his team. If he locks in on each defensive possession, he can make a name for himself as a top defender in his league.
As the most established defender on this list, Weems doesn’t need a lot of help explaining his defensive prowess. He guards in the half court, in transition, gets steals, and blocks, and is a relentless rebounder. For him, the ability to defend is going to open a lot of doors in his recruitment. He’s the perfect example of getting on the floor first with great defense and slowly growing the rest of your game to match.
There is one game moment in particular I saw from Miller that hooked me on the idea of him as a lockdown defender. This summer in the title game of a weekend tournament, Miller played some of the best minutes of defense I’ve seen from him. He sent shots off the backboard, locked down on the ball, and held his ground in the post, possession after possession. It was a truly game-changing effort. Now, Miller has flashed some of the same potential offensively but I think if he can provide that production on defense for a whole season it will get him to a place after high school where he has more time to develop his overall game. That being said, the potential to be an elite defender is there and I’m excited to see what he can do this year.
