AIA Defensive Stoppers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The AIA has loads of offensive talent in every conference and it continues to grow and get better every year. The game of basketball itself has become a offensively dominated game over the past 20 years. The new moves, rule changes, athletic ability, and spacing has given the offensive player a even bigger advantage over the defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This makes it essential to have a defensive guy at every level of the game especially at the high school level where taking pride in defense isn't the cool thing to do. You can now call a defensive stopper a diamond in the rough. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These 7 players below are those diamonds in the AIA that do the dirty work and get stops for there teams in multiple ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are the AIA Defensive Stoppers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Incased you missed it here is my favorites from my week at McDAAG :</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/04/mcdaag-week-my-favorites/" id="https://prephoops.com/2026/04/mcdaag-week-my-favorites/">McDAAG Week : My Favorites</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194806"],"_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-69dd84b389027"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A True point of attack defender that can guard the one through the three. Zen is a hard worker and puts his full effort in to the defensive side of the ball. He has a great low and wide defensive stance with great lateral speed and a strong build to cut off players and take bumps. He stays on his feet and is a very discipline defensive player with good timing for blocks. He is a plus rebounder for his size and will dive for lose balls and do the dirty work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2767903"],"_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-69dd84b389089"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jacobi is one of the most versatile defenders in Arizona only as a freshman. Jacobi had to often guard the biggest guy on the opposing team. He is able to guard the 1-5 on the high school level and do so effectively. He has a long wingspan that allows him to pick the pockets of ballhandlers. He plays the passing lanes and anticipates passes that lead to fast break dunks. He is a great weak side shot blocker with great timing. Jacobi's overall work ethic on the defensive side of the ball sets him apart and allows him to be an elite defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2249943"],"_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-69dd84b3890d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lleyton is another super athlete that is a versatile defender. His ability to guard on the perimeter and the interior is the product of his athletic ability and work ethic. Lleyton has great timing on his shot contest and blocks. often sending shots away from the weak side or chasing down players on the break. His lateral quickness allows him to guard shiftier ball handlers and makes it tough for them to initiate the offense. Lleyton is a very intense defensive player that often sets the tone on that end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2146267"],"_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-69dd84b389126"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Micah is a fast and quick defender with great hands. He lead the charge for one of the best defensive teams in the state. He would often guard the best guard and make them uncomfortable and take there space away. He is a great athlete and would unexpectedly get blocks off the back board and from the weakside. Micah is an overall High IQ defender and often underrated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1956218"],"_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-69dd84b389172"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marcus is a lengthy big with great timing and discipline on the defensive end. His biggest asset on defense is his length and ability to send shots away at the rim. Marcus is agile enough to stay with most guards on switches or hedge and get back to his man. He is a strong rebounder and has a sense for the ball coming of the basket. Marcus is a top defender in the class of 2028 and will continue to get better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1555180"],"_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-69dd84b3891bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Delton is a strong and athletic guard that has the ability to shut down and disrupt other lead guards. He has fantastic lateral foot speed. He cuts of defenders and has the ability to guard full court. He has Great awareness and will back side trap when unsuspecting players turn there head. Delton has Amazing hands and will rack up some steals. He brings intensity to the defensive end and sets the tone for his squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2605811"],"_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-69dd84b389205"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Point of attack defender at the guard position. A super fast and pesty defender sets the tone on this side with his natural athleticism and energy. He will capitalize on traps and reads the passing lanes really well. Elijah speeds up the opposing teams point guard and gets them to play chaotic. He is a plus athlete that battles for rebounds on the defensive side and will do the dirty work by diving for loose balls and putting his body on the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->