Gamechangers: Top Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Take a look at some of the top names that stood out on the defensive end as the Gamechangers series takes a look at the Top Defenders from the North Carolina Top 250 Expo!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><em>This content series is sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="https://gc.com/home/football?utm_source=prepredzone&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=2022prepredzone&amp;utm_content=gamechangeroftheevent&amp;utm_term=partner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GameChanger</a>&nbsp;– The Official Scorekeeping, Stats, Team Management &amp; Technology Partner of PrepHoops!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1225449"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2172538,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Clayton was a sizeable name who instantly stood out with his ability to be a presence in the painted area. He was a force on offense, but his biggest asset was his ability to protect the rim, alter shots and be an anchor rebounding the ball for his squad throughout the showcase. He's a prospect for DII and DIII programs to get eyes on out of AC Reynolds High given his ability around the rim at 6-foot-7.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1086994"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":2172728,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Little should certainly see his stock rise after the defensive energy and intensity he brought to the PrepHoops NC Top 250 Expo this past Sunday. He was a pest on the defensive end, taking ownership in each of his matchups to show he could hold his own no matter who was in front of him. He exuded with confidence as he forced turnovers and brought the energy on defense so his team could feed off of his play. He's an unsigned senior name to keep an eye on at Ashe County High this season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1046670"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":2172767,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Sutherland continues to show his defensive growth/development at the power forward spot in NC's 2024 class. He's got a college-ready frame on the interior and beyond that was on full display all day long at this year's Top 250 Expo. He's a strong-framed forward who takes pride in owning the boards and painted area with his ability to alter shots. He won't be easy to score on this season as a featured name in the United Faith Christian Academy rotation in 2023-24.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1864256"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":2172921,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Cain was relentless in his pursuit of the ball on the defensive end. Despite having just six players, he brought the energy with his ability to pressure the ball and turn steals into easy layups on the other end. As his defense came, so did his offense as he was a top performer out of Green Level High (Cary). He's a defensive menace in the 2024 class who DII and DIII programs should get eyes on this season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2172799"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":2172830,"_player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Hanson was an impressive two-way presence for his squad at the Top 250 Expo. He was relentless with his pursuit of the ball whether as a rebounder, defender or presence on the offensive end. He was constantly showing off his ability to force turnovers with his u0022nose for the ballu0022 mentality and didn't back when faced against bigger players, simply utilizing his length to make things happen as a defender.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":2172977,"_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Julius Garner","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"UNDECIDED","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Garner is an athletic menace who showed off his ability to fly around on the defensive end of the floor. He showed off his length and athleticism with a knack for altering shots and make his presence felt in the painted area. He was a constant presence on the defensive end who showed he could play above the rim as a top defender. He's a name to keep an eye on in the 2024 class as he soon chooses a school to attend.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["2173075"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Davis was another relentless presence on the defensive end who showed off his defensive abilities on the day. He's a young prospect in the 2026 class who showed he could defend all over the floor, on the perimeter and in the painted area. He didn't back down from battling on the boards for the ball, either, utilizing his length at 6-foot-2 to make an impact. He's a prospect out of Chapel Hill High to keep an eye on this season.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["2172117"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Thompson was another impressive 2026 name who showed he could hold his own in a variety of ways on the defensive side of things. He showed off his ability to defend prospects his size and beyond with his ability to come out of scrums with rebounds and force turnovers with his strength and length. He's a young name out of Bishop Mcguinness High to keep eyes on given his length and versatility on defense.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["2173140"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Warren was a top defender on the day for his squad at the Top 250 Expo given his knack for communicating on defense, always being in the right spot and never taking a play off. He had a relentless pursuit of the basketball that was contagious for his teammates to follow when he was on the floor. He's a guard prospect to get to know out of West Cabarrus High given his ability to defend the basketball.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64ff641c5eb9b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->