Defensive Stars
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You will see Twitter posts and Instagram highlights of scorers, but the players below made an elite defensive play or many during the weekend. Jaiden Claybrook Jaiden Claybrook 6'5" | SF Antioch | 2025 State TN / Team Mookie 17uFriday…
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Continue ReadingYou will see Twitter posts and Instagram highlights of scorers, but the players below made an elite defensive play or many during the weekend.
Jaiden Claybrook
Jaiden
Claybrook
6'5" | SF
Antioch | 2025
State
TN
/ Team Mookie 17u
Friday night, the NY Rens drew up a fantastic play with 1.5 seconds left to win the game. A high screen was set for double curling shooters. The screener slipped backdoor and caught a perfect high lob. He tried to lay the ball in off of the glass, but Claybrook swatted hard at the air nearby and literally changed the trajectory of the basketball without touching it. It was incredibly athletic and fortunate because the play was expertly drawn up and executed by the Rens.
Instead Claybrook forced overtime with his effort and Team Mookie 17u eventually won the struggle.
Aiden Bolden
Aiden
Bolden
6'5" | SF
Providence Christian Academy | 2026
TN
/ Team Mookie 16u
Bolden defended the rim like Evan Mobley against the Oakland Soldiers. It was silly how easily he blocked many shots. He was so quick off of the floor. Bolden’s one big defensive miscue came in the third quarter as he returned from out-of-bounds and nudged a jump-shooter from the side/behind. It was silly. He plays with a remarkable level of strength and physicality around the rim, but obviously that is not welcomed during a jumpshot. Bolden can defend the perimeter surprisingly well for a guy that played a lot of post for his high school team this year.
Aiden defended the post feeds, the floaters around the rim, everything. He played like the older brother dominating his younger siblings.
Jarron Talley
Jarron
Talley
6'4" | SG
Pope Prep | 2026
State
TN
/ Team Mookie 16u
Jarron, as advertised by Pope Prep Assistant Coach Ethan Abner, played very good on-ball defense on an assortment of players. He can capably guard the 1-3 at the 16u level. Probably projects as a defender of the 1-2 in college.
Daniel Patton
Daniel
Patton
6'6" | SF
Centennial | 2026
State
TN
/ Team Mookie 16u
On top of defending the rim well, Daniel was the game’s best communicator Saturday morning. He gave his teammates continuous, timely information on defense. He spoke to his guards and alerted them to screens and the lack thereof. He helped very well when required.
Francis Chukwudebelu / Pro Skills (TX)
Though this player has no affiliation with the Tennessee, he deserves mention in any defensive feature. Chukwudebelu is an insanely gifted shot-blocker. Pro Skills 17u played a 2-3 with him at the base Saturday afternoon and he was a terror. Francis could elevate after the shooter released and still get a big piece of the lofted shot. Can he play outside the lane on screen defense? Who knows? They did not even let it be known with their 2-3 zone. You will hear this guy’s name in time. Incredible springs with the size of a D1 big.