New Mexico Players Representing Nationwide Part 2

New Mexico players are competing across the country and proving they belong on the national stage. This weekend gives these athletes another opportunity to show they can compete against top talent. The players on this list are defensive standouts tasked with guarding the opposition's best players.    [player_tooltip player_id='2026078' first='Christopher' last='Williams'] is a strong, athletic guard who can defend multiple positions at a high level. His basketball IQ makes him an excellent help-side defender, and he has the speed and quickness to jump passing lanes when playing off the ball. On the ball, Christopher makes it extremely difficult for opponents to run their offense through his assignment. His ability to stay connected to ball handlers is one of his biggest defensive strengths.   Offensively, Christopher is very effective in the midrange game. He uses the in-between area to keep defenders off balance and force them to respect every level of the floor. His high basketball IQ also translates offensively, as he consistently finds soft spots in the defense to create scoring opportunities. He plays with patience and never forces shots just for the sake of shooting. Instead, he looks for the best available option, even if that means setting up a teammate for an easy basket. Look for Christopher to take on the challenge of guarding the opposition's top scorers all weekend.     Spirit Penn-Cook is a defensive stopper who takes tremendous pride in what he does on the defensive end of the floor. He plays with nonstop energy all game long, making opponents work for every inch they get on the court. Spirit is a selfless player willing to do whatever is necessary to help his team win.   Look for Spirit to constantly disrupt the opposition by jumping passing lanes, contesting shots, and applying relentless pressure throughout the game. His defensive activity often leads to easy transition opportunities for his teammates. Spirit uses his length and wingspan extremely well, allowing him to generate steals and challenge shots without fouling.   While his defense stands out the most, opponents cannot afford to lose track of him offensively. When left open, Spirit has the ability to knock down perimeter shots and make teams pay from beyond the arc. Look for Spirit to prove why he is considered one of the top defensive players coming out of New Mexico.     [player_tooltip player_id='2832983' first='Brycen' last='Bowie'] is a pesky defender who stays active all over the court. He uses his wingspan extremely well on the defensive end, making life difficult for opposing ball handlers and passing lanes tough to navigate. When Brycen anticipates a pass, he has the speed and quickness to jump the lane, create a turnover, and get down the court in a hurry.   Brycen is also a major asset when it comes to speeding up the opposition because of his relentless on-ball pressure. He consistently forces opponents out of rhythm and makes them uncomfortable throughout the game.   Offensively, Brycen is a well-rounded scorer who can produce from all three levels. Defenses especially need to be aware of him spotting up on the perimeter because if he gets open looks from the corner, he has the ability to make teams pay from beyond the arc.     [player_tooltip player_id='2893001' first='B'Angelo' last='Mason'] is a true 3-and-D player who thrives because of his excellent defensive positioning and high basketball IQ. For his size, he does a great job of forcing opponents toward help defenders and making every possession difficult. Shooters struggle to get into rhythm against him because of his aggressive closeouts and ability to consistently contest shots.   B'Angelo is a smart, crafty defender who is always looking for ways to disrupt the opposition in man-to-man situations. His footwork and understanding of the game make him a strong on-ball defender who rarely gives up easy looks.   Offensively, B'Angelo excels as a perimeter shooter and can really stretch the floor from beyond the arc. His shooting ability creates space for both himself and his teammates. When defenders start playing too tight on him, he has the ability to attack off the dribble, get into the lane, and finish with a floater over the help-side defense.

New Mexico players are competing across the country and proving they belong on the national stage. This weekend gives these athletes another opportunity to show they can compete against top talent. The players on this list are defensive standouts tasked with guarding the opposition's best players.