Top Perimeter Defenders for the 2024 Class
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Perimeter defense is more essential than ever because of the three-point shooting trend over the last ten years. Having players on your team who can guard one on one and lock up the other team’s best perimeter player is important.…
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Continue ReadingPerimeter defense is more essential than ever because of the three-point shooting trend over the last ten years. Having players on your team who can guard one on one and lock up the other team’s best perimeter player is important. You will always get minutes if you can play defense on the perimeter consistently. Here are my top perimeter defenders for the 2024 class.
Panzini is already an excellent two-way player with his defense being some of the best in this class. He’s elite when it comes to moving his feet and staying in front of faster players. Panzini always has his hand up ready to contest the shot. He’s great at helping with double-team traps and picking off passing lanes like a free safety in football. Panzini’s most impressive defensive trait on the perimeter in my opinion is how he can time his jump perfectly to block multiple shooters in a game.
Akande is the type of player that every coach would love to have on their team because of his lockdown defense and high-energy motor that never stops on the defensive end. He will press you the second the ball is inbounded never giving you an inch of breathing room to get by him. If you do get by Akande he will poke the ball free from behind. He’s excellent at picking off passing lanes and swarming ball handlers because of his 6’4″ size.
Standing at 6’5″ Godwin is a defensive machine for his team. He can switch onto anyone on the perimeter while he uses his quick hands to try and poke the ball free. Godwin has great recovery time when he gets beat off the dribble as he won’t give up and will block your shot from behind. He will press full court the whole game without ever needing a break. Godwin is excellent at transition defense too slowing down breaks and forcing teams to reset on offense.
Peters can play and guard one through four on the defensive end and can do it at an elite level. He’s gifted when it comes to athleticism too which helps him pick off passes most players wouldn’t come close to. He can poke the ball free while standing in front of you and take off in transition. Peter’s ability to stay in front of players on the perimeter is what makes him a tough outing to have to get by when on offense. Peters recorded 66 steals this past season.
Dorset can do everything when it comes to playing defense as well as offense making him a complete two-way player. He guards the perimeter extremely well and knows when to help with double-team traps. He excels in zone defenses as he will look to keep players who can’t shoot on the perimeter. That’s where his quick lateral movements come into play which he uses to lock up the other team’s best player. Dorset can guard the fastbreak well and will look to block your shot if he gets beat off the dribble.