Jayhawk Jam's All Defensive Team

If you had to build a roster as a hypothetical GM of a franchise, and your #1 goal was to create the best defensive 14u-17u team of 12 players, excluding offense as a catalyst in decision making. What type of players would you choose and why? Much like good offense, good defense can come in many different ways. I contend that 10 major categories make up an Elite Defender: 5 intangible attributes and 5 physical attributes. All 10 attributes tend to be either Innate or not amongst players, but with practice over time, most of these attributes can be improved significantly to some degree outside of the extreme size or length growth. Although, even that can happen depending on your genetics.   The 5 Intangible Attributes are Understanding your: Space, Time, Situation, Anticipation, and Communication   The 5 Physical Attributes are Understanding your: Speed, Quickness, Lateral Movement, Size/Length, and Athleticism   Good Defenders tend to have at least 5 attributes. Elite or great defenders tend to get a lot closer to all 10. Out of the 14u-17u teams that I saw at the Jayhawk Jam last weekend, I have created a team of 12 players who all get extremely close to all 10 of these. This squad of defenders will have your coach calling plenty of time-outs.    Knows how to use his size and length naturally and is solid on the boards because of it. One of FT Black 2029's leading rebounders, and also understands how to crowd an offensive player's space without fouling while using his length and active hands to do the work.     All-around point guard who understands the concept of Anticipation on Defense, because of this, he is a good help defender. Can actually block shots as a help defender at the rim. Well above average athletically. He has quickness, speed, and plays stronger than he looks. He has sneaky hops and is super-fast up the floor with quick hands.     Has some size, speed, and athleticism. Understands his length and can rim protect. Understands Timing and anticipation against offensive players for deflections. Does a great job of filling the gap for whatever coaches need on Defense and competes hard. Plays for FT Black 2026 AAU Squad.     Understands his size/length. He impacts the Defensive end as an interior presence and can rim protect with good timing.     Understands his physical attributes and plays hard on Defense. Understands limiting the Space of an Offensive player without fouling. He can also be versatile as a defender because of his decent lateral movement and strength.     Has great lateral movement with active hands. Understands space, timing, and has good anticipation. Proactive defender, not reactive.     has good timing on his box outs and establishes position on the boards, and also competes hard. He is a great rebounder, has already mastered the Moses Malone technique. Has a strong base and decent athleticism to contest at the rim. His hands are active as well. He is also quicker than he looks.     Was everywhere on Defense. He can cover a whole lot of ground very quickly. Has a little bit of everything. You can tell on defense that he just gets it.     Has everything. Size, speed, athleticism, and most importantly, effort on the Defensive end. Can switch on to any position and hold his own.     Highly impressed with Peyton's on-ball Defense. His lateral movement is Elite, he plays hard, and keeps his hands active at all times. Understands how to get up in a player's space while defending a player facing him with a live dribble, and also when that player has his back turned to him. He understands timing well as he boxes out immediately once a shot goes up, which is rare for a guard. Has really good overall fundamentals with his Defensive stance and guards his man full court as he knows that it is his competitive advantage.     Aggressive on D. Uses his length very well. Can slide his feet with anyone. Also has decent athleticism with speed & quickness. Anthony is a natural ball hawk.     long, athletic, and active. His quick hands and elite lateral movement are his Competitive Advantage. Has good size and can guard multiple positions, especially on the perimeter. Plays with energy and is excited to play Defense.

If you had to build a roster as a hypothetical GM of a franchise, and your #1 goal was to create the best defensive 14u-17u team of 12 players, excluding offense as a catalyst in decision making. What type of players would you choose and why? Much like good offense, good defense can come in many different ways. I contend that 10 major categories make up an Elite Defender: 5 intangible attributes and 5 physical attributes. All 10 attributes tend to be either Innate or not amongst players, but with practice over time, most of these attributes can be improved significantly to some degree outside of the extreme size or length growth. Although, even that can happen depending on your genetics.