AAU Spring Classic Day Three: Best Defenders
Sunday marked the third and final day of the 2023 AAU Spring Classic held at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Florida. Prep Hoops scout Riley Sheppard (Twitter – @RileyDSheppard), was on the scene and is here to…
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Continue ReadingSunday marked the third and final day of the 2023 AAU Spring Classic held at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Florida. Prep Hoops scout Riley Sheppard (Twitter – @RileyDSheppard), was on the scene and is here to give you standouts from each game he watched.
Melvin Mezier
Melvin Mezier
Mezier may have been one of the best perimeter defenders in all of the 16U division. At 5-5, the sophomore moves so quick laterally without fouling that his matchup hardly any time to breathe. On top of this, Mezier wreaks havoc in the passing lanes with his elite hand-eye coordination and reaction time.
Khaliel Caldwell
Khaliel Caldwell
Another elite perimeter defender, Caldwell is extremely dangerous playing on or off the ball defensively, with the ability to read the flight of the ball to pick it off in mid-air. There were several times in Manhasset’s win on Sunday where the 2025 came away with a loose ball strictly because of his grit to come away with it.
Lorenz White
Lorenz White
Picking up an offer from UCF in November, White should be due up for a big summer with his two-way ability and tenacity on the basketball floor. The 2024 graduate has crazy bounce and IQ on help side, which allows for him to recover quickly and contest shots at ease. He also may have had the defensive play of the tournament in the championship game, flying from the weak side to pick up a filthy block that ricocheted off the backboard early in the first half.
Jack Smith
Jack Smith
Smith was very impressive in Lockwood’s Silver bracket championship appearance game, picking up a multitude of blocks and steals. The 2025 grad uses his great length and wingspan to play great straight up defense in the paint, even when his matchup may have been taller or outweighed him. An overall great defender, be sure to keep a lookout for Smith during this summer’s’ circuit.