The Top Defensive Stoppers In New Mexico!
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Most basketball fans just focus on the scoring and not the other aspects in the game, one of those aspects is the ability to play defense. Not everyone is a great shooter, not everyone has speed like others and not…
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Continue ReadingMost basketball fans just focus on the scoring and not the other aspects in the game, one of those aspects is the ability to play defense. Not everyone is a great shooter, not everyone has speed like others and not everyone is naturally gifted, but if you have the mindset to play defense anyone can do it. Defense is a choice and a skill that anyone can acquire with hard work and determination over time.
Hudson Brown Hudson Brown 5'9" | PG Volcano Vista | 2025 State NM from the Volcano Vista Hawks is an old-school traditional point guard. No one competes harder on the defensive side of the floor at the point guard position than Hudson Brown Hudson Brown 5'9" | PG Volcano Vista | 2025 State NM . Even as a freshman last season, Hudson didn’t back down from any challenges from opposing guards last year. He did a solid job at staying in front of the opposing players and moved his feet well. Hudson would take pride at seeing opposing players miss shots, turnover the ball and give up five-second violations. He is a difficult player to score on and a workhorse on that side of the floor.
Judah is a dangerous player on the defensive end. He has limitless energy on defense and can completely take over a game with his anticipation playing the passing lines. If your not careful and loose with your passing, Judah will intercept the pass and get an easy layup on the other end. He is also a pick-pocket artist and knows how to deflect the ball from offensive players who are careless with the ball. One thing that separates Judah from other elite players is being a two-way player in both aspects of the game. He welcomes the opportunity of guarding the best player on the other side and does a great job playing good defense without fouling. What makes an elite player is being able to compete on both ends and Judah Casaus Judah Casaus 6'0" | SG Del Norte | 2023 State NM is one of few players that can claim that title.
Marquise Renfro is a freak of nature athlete that plays basketball and football. What impresses me the most from him on the defensive end is the press defense that he plays for Atrisco Heritage. He is the man in front of the press defense while the opposing offense is inbounding the ball and trying to make it down court. Marquise forces lots of turnovers and makes it difficult for the opposing offense to get down the court. He moves his feet well and follows the ball and forces traps in the corners to make it difficult for offensive players. On the press defense, if he’s not the one trapping players with another teammate, he’s the one in the middle playing the passing lanes prepared to pick the offense off. In the half-court, he is a wing player that can guard multiple positions and can hold his own with most offensive players. He gives Atrisco Heritage extra opportunities with his defense and makes winning plays on that side of the floor.
Jonah Lopez Jonah Lopez 6'2" | SG Rio Grande | 2023 State NM is best known for his scoring, which has made him an underrated defender. He is a versatile defender with a long wingspan that is very athletic. Jonah at 6’2 playing the shooting guard position in New Mexico makes him bigger than most other shooting guards that he goes against. Despite being a shooting guard, Jonah still averaged one block per game for the Ravens last season and an impressive 2.3 steals per game. As Rio Grande’s best player, he does a great job leading by example playing on both ends of the court.
Highlights
La Cueva big man Daniel Jacobsen Daniel Jacobsen 7'2" | C Brewster Academy | 2024 State New E is an intimidating presence inside the paint at his size over seven-feet tall. He does a good job at altering shots when defenders go around him inside the paint. Daniel is the man in the middle that takes pressure off his teammates inside the paint. With Daniel protecting the paint, it forces defenders to take more perimeter shots which is what any team would want. Daniel moves really well and can recover with chase-down blocks if opposing offensive players have him beat.
Josiah is a tough point guard that can hold his own with other guards at his position. He is not afraid to get physical and mix it up with opposing guards. Josiah knows how to stay in front of his man defensively and make it tough to score on him. Despite not being the biggest player on the floor, he works hard on defense and gives extra energy on that side of the floor. He usually does a good job at contesting shots without fouling.
Jordi Rojo
Jordi Rojo
Jordi Rojo from Belen High School is a player that competes until the end on both ends of the floor. He is a guy that doesn’t back down from anyone on either end of the floor. Playing the point guard position, you have to be ready to play at a high level up and down the court. He is a quick guard with great instincts that will make you pay on the other end. Jordi does a good job putting his hands up and making it tough for the opposition too score.
Donovan Cruz
Donovan Cruz
West Mesa’s point guard Donovan Cruz is among the best in the State at taking charges defensively. He has great timing and anticipation when he sacrificing his body for the betterment of the team. Its plays like those that made winning plays for the West Mesa Mustangs last year. He is not the biggest point guard on the floor often but makes up for it with his ability to get in your face defensively and not give you any space on offense.