Summer’s Best: W/F Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Expo MD &amp; the DMV Freshmen Showcase is coming soon! Use promo-code 'LloydHoops25' at registration for a discount when signing up for your spot at the event!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Class of 2029 / Aug 30th)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/1555/register/dmv-freshman-showcase">https://events.prephoops.com/e/1555/register/dmv-freshman-showcase</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(Classes 2026-2029 / Sep 28th)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/1626/register/the-expo-maryland">https://events.prephoops.com/e/1626/register/the-expo-maryland</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our scouts wanted to take the time to reflect back on some standout players outside of the top-40 to show some love to some of the top performers that might not always get the publicity that they deserve with their play. We'll cover top defenders, best playmakers, elite scorers, hottest shooters, and more! Today, we'll be analyzing the area's most versatile shooters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1588125"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6888e69109300"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jonathan was a major piece to Cardozo's 2024 championship run during the season. The way Cardozo flies around the floor and defends hard is exactly what brought Gray to this list. He defends the ball extremely hard and shifts over to draw steals and charges. His defensive rotation is on point with the defensive scheme of the team. He makes plays defensively all game to help his team succeed. Jonathan is one of those players who will always bring the energy and effort on the defensive side. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2894070"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6888e69109355"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Quinn made his debut with Zion earlier this summer and made a great impact. He made some big blocks on the defensive side after coming over to help the guards who got beat off the dribble. His discipline on the defensive end was impressive to see. Quinn never backed down in the post against the bigs, always stands his ground and defends well in the paint. I liked the way he embraced the challenge of guarding bigger forwards although he may be a bit undersized.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2682525"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6888e6910939e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sean was a top player on both sides of the ball for Roosevelt during the whole season and continued to be that consistent player during the summer. Sean is reliable as a versatile wing defender who can guard multiple positions. While he is quick enough to defend on the perimeter, Sean is fearless and aggressive in the paint. Uses all of his size and makes his presence felt defensively each game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2722709"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6888e691093e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Messiah is another DC product that is underrated on the defensive end. He sends a lot of shots back the other way while he's on the floor. His big size often forces the opposition away from taking a shot at the rim. Messiah does well at sliding over into help position and being the defensive anchor for Kipp's defense. His timing is impressive on the inside and he owns the paint often times while he's on the floor. Continued his regular season momentum into the summer with KIPP as they had a successful live period in DC. Messiah is only scratching the surface of his potential as he progresses on with his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2548905"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6888e69109428"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Angelo has looked outside in his new threads so far with Riverdale Baptist. He is a major factor on the defensive end with his size and athleticism. He has already let his impact be known on the defensive side by turning back countless shots during the Live Period. He ended each game with at least 1 block and defended the opposing bigs with heart and discipline. Nothing came easy around Angelo early on this summer. He surely made a statement with his defensive activity as he had some game-changing moments for Riverdale.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->