Swat Team: Profiling the State’s Best Rim Protectors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shot blocking is one of the most crucial defensive skills in basketball, with elite rim protectors able to single-handedly alter opposing offenses. In Alabama high school hoops, several prodigious big men are emerging as dominant interior forces thanks to their shot-swatting abilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brittney Reed Jr,","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"McIntosh","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022whitespace-pre-wrapu0022u003eAt 6'7u0022 and 240 pounds, Brittney Reed Jr. of McIntosh High School imposes his will in the paint on both ends of the court. The senior forward is averaging 23 points, 14.4 rebounds and an incredible 4.3 blocks per game this season. Reed's shot blocking ability is truly elite for a high school prospect. His massive frame and 7-foot wingspan allow him to alter and reject shots with ease. Reed has exceptional timing when rotating over from the weak side, often swooping in to deny opponents at the rim.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1574392"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"At 6'9u0022 and 235 pounds with a 7'2u0022 wingspan, [player_tooltip player_id='1574392' first='Stephen' last='Williams'] of Escambia County High School is an elite rim protector unlike any other in Alabama high school basketball. The junior center is averaging 17.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, and an astounding 4.9 blocks per game this season.rnu003cp class=u0022whitespace-pre-wrapu0022u003eWilliams' incredible shot blocking prowess allows him to single-handedly alter the game on the defensive end. He exhibits exceptional timing and anticipation when rotating as a help-side defender, leading the state with nearly 5 swats per contest. Williams is quick off his feet and needs barely any space to sky for momentum-swinging rejections.u003c/pu003ernu003cp class=u0022whitespace-pre-wrapu0022u003eHis uncanny ability to pin shots on the backboard or send them out of bounds intimidates opponents from attempting shots at the rim. Williams' sheer size, length and impeccable timing make him nearly impossible to score over in the paint. He swats shots with ease against overmatched competition.u003c/pu003ernu003cp class=u0022whitespace-pre-wrapu0022u003eWilliams has quick lateral footwork as well, allowing him to hold his own in one-on-one post matchups when he's not roaming for weakside blocks. His defensive impact is unparalleled, and he couples it with an advanced low post scoring skill set on offense.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":" Hezekiah Harris","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Mae Jemison","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Hezekiah Harris is a 6'6” forward from Mae Jemison High School in the class of 2026. As just a sophomore, he has posted impressive numbers averaging 9.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game. Harris leverages these physical tools well on the defensive end, serving as a top rim protector for his team. Harris displays remarkable timing and instincts blocking shots, evidenced by his 3.2 swats per game. He is disciplined in his approach, rarely biting on fakes or finding himself out of position. Harris utilizes his 6'6” frame and 7'1” wingspan to alter shots in the paint and make opponents think twice about attacking the rim.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"N'Jia Gosha,","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'8u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Carroll ","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022whitespace-pre-wrapu0022u003eN'Jia Gosha is a 6'8u0022, 215 lb sophmore forward from Carroll High School in the class of 2026. Despite his young age, he has made an immediate impact averaging 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game.u003c/pu003ernu003cp class=u0022whitespace-pre-wrapu0022u003eGosha stands out most for his stellar rim protection and shot blocking ability. At 6'8u0022 with a long wingspan, he is an intimidating paint presence who deters drives to the basket. Gosha displays sharp timing and instincts pinning shots off the backboard or swatting them out of bounds. His 3.1 blocks per game are remarkable for a sophomore.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Bradin Yates","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'8u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Chilton County","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp class=u0022whitespace-pre-wrapu0022u003eBradin Yates is a 6'8”, 230 lb center from Chilton County High School in the class of 2024. He makes his biggest impact on the defensive end, averaging 8.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game as a senior.u003c/pu003ernu003cp class=u0022whitespace-pre-wrapu0022u003eYates is an imposing interior presence who alters numerous shots at the rim. He has excellent timing and instincts when coming over from the weak side to block shots. His massive 6'8”, 240-pound frame allows him to effectively challenge shots without fouling. Yates also does well in one-on-one post matchups, using his size and length to force tough shots over him.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659592ad99dfa"} /-->