2025 Rankings: Changing the Game on Defense

Sage is a holder of one of the best individual defensive performances in Oklahoma this year. At the Tournament of Champions against one of Oklahoma's premier scorers, Sage showed a remarkable combination of physical traits to fight through screens, cover ground and stay connected. While also not biting on pumpfakes and anticipating moves on the ball. It's the type of attention to detail and focus, that should help him make his mark sooner, rather than later at the next level with Pitt State. Along with the potential for defense to be his calling card, Sage is a jack of all trades on offense. With improving handles and vision, to go along with a reliable jumper and off the ball movement.     Pride is a key factor in being an top notch defender. And Nash's pride jumps off the court when watching him play. One possession, he'll sit down and guard, cut off angles and mae the opposition work just to bring the ball up the court. The next possession he'll use his quick hands to be a thief and rip away a loose handle. Off the ball, he can play the passing lanes for steals/deflections. Or slide over and take a charge.   Defense and energy are always a winning recipe and that's exactly what Nash brings to the Bombers. Which helped them win 5A last year, and he'll go into the final weeks of his high school career looking to repeat.     Roman Nose seems to either have a sixth sense for steals and blocks. Or a teleporting ability, because he often pops up out of nowhere to make a steal. Or keeps rising just enough to get a piece of a shot at the rim. Along with his numerous defensive accolades, he's a stone faced assassin on the offensive end. He recently rewrote the El Reno record book by becoming their all time leading scorer.   One of the most productive players of the class. He will be looking to make a State Title push before making a college decision. Cameron recently offered, joining previous offers from Redlands, NOC Enid and UCO.     With a name like Hancuff, it's like he was ordained to be a top defender. And the athletic hybrid forward lives up to his last name. Bouncy enough to help provide rim protection. While also nimble enough to chase guards around the perimeter. He's joined with [player_tooltip player_id='2024091' first='Elijah' last='Brown'] to provide an athletic and disruptive senior duo for the Bulldogs. With an improving jumper, he's one of the top long term available prospects. As a college level weight room, and more time on his jumper, should turn him into a monster as a collegiate upperclassman.     Steelman has held some impressive block parties this year with the Yellowjackets. He uses his height to his advantage with good timing on his blocks, often keeping the ball in play and not just swatting it to the bleachers. Plays with good verticality too, allowing him to contest shots at the rim without fouling. Is a reliable three point shooter, adding to his next level value. Those two traits should help him hit the ground running at Southwestern College (KS).     Explosive athlete, who can make highlight reel plays on offense. While also stepping up and doing whatever is required on the defensive end. Knows when to gamble for steals on defense, or when to move his feet and smoother the opposition. Always looks for lax passes, in order to quickly turn defense into momentum shifting offense. Improved his offensive game as a senior, with improved shooting as well. Type of prospect that should help raise a program's floor as an underclassman by competing in practice. Then steadily earns a bigger role as the years goes by.     By simply walking on the court, Kerr changes the game with his now 6'11 size. He's a rim deterrent, and has made huge strides in embracing his height and becoming more of a battler round the rim. It was sink or swim for his final two years in that regard, as he's coached by a coach who not only played for one of the best defensive minds in college basketball history. His coach can look him in the eye as nearly the same height.   Kerr embraced the coaching and swam. Consistently becoming better as a rim protector and rebounding harder. Which first lead to a State Championship last year. Then a commitment to Saint Louis. Now after competing nationally this past summer and with Owasso, he has a chance to close out his high school career competing for a second State Title.