Season Kickoff – Notable Rim Protectors 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rim protection is a privilege only a few teams caveat, however these names have immediately shown their defensive upside for the season. These four forwards have provided elite interior defense for their programs, all of which will be teams in playoff conversation this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1284559' first='Caden' last='Stevens'] - Mountain Vista</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1589378,"width":207,"height":187,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/214-Caden-Stevens-e1663538418897.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/214-Caden-Stevens-e1663538418897.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1589378" width="207" height="187" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stevens has spearheaded a dominant start for Mountain Vista, notably deterring a myriad of attempts around the rim. Quite a mobile defender at 6'8, Stevens has shown dominance defending as the point of attack or as a help side defender. Proven as a two way threat, he is a forward who has proven himself capable guarding 2 through 5. To open up the year, the senior has posted 15.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks per game while contributing 70% of his field goal attempts. Although not somebody you typically isolate to get a bucket, Stevens has shown noticeable growth as a playmaker with the ball. Two areas worth monitoring will be Stevens' assist numbers once team shots begin falling and his volume as a spot up shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1577965' first='Charlie' last='Dortch'] - Rocky Mountain</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1589367,"width":230,"height":196,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/200-Charlie-Dortch-e1663538785380.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/200-Charlie-Dortch-e1663538785380.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1589367" width="230" height="196" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fort Lewis commit has opened up the season with a well rounded impact from all over the floor. In their opener versus Chaparral, Dortch posted a dynamic stat line of 28 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks while knocking down 4 threes. At 6'8, Dortch has typically made his impact as a bucket getter, however his season he has shown a different shade of upside through his passing. Another facet of Dortch's impact comes from his consistent communication on the defensive end. He proved capable directing rotations and of course spiking a few shot attempts away from the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kai Daniels - Denver South</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1618231,"width":130,"height":173,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/kaidandiels-edited.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/kaidandiels-edited.jpg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-1618231" width="130" height="173" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Daniels will be a diamond in the rough who's growth spurt has catapulted him into a valuable rotation piece with Denver South. The 6'4+ forward is a pogo stick off of two feet, proving capable elevating with the vast majority of Colorado athletes. Through his first two games, Daniels has opened up with 9.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game. The forward has shown dependability on the defensive side versus 2 through 4, making up for his undersized frame with fundamental defense. One aspect of Daniels' interior dominance has been his consistency going straight up versus attempts, allowing him to maximize his pressure without fouling. On the opposite side he navigates the halfcourt well as a roller or interior play finisher, contributing 63% of his eight attempts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1432263' first='Matias' last='Aldana'] - Frederick</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frederick will be in good hands with the Aldana brothers this season, however [player_tooltip player_id='1432263' first='Matias' last='Aldana'] in particular has shown dominance on the defensive end. The 6'5 forward has been a brick wall down in the post, not allowing anybody to leverage space against him. To kick off the season, Aldana has posted 16 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and 1.8 blocks while knocking down 47% of his three point attempts through their first four games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->