Jr. EYBL Championships: 7th Grade Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Augusta, SC —</strong> After recognizing the <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/jr-eybl-championships-7th-grade-all-tournament/">All-Tournament Team</a></strong>, top <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/jr-eybl-championships-7th-grade-athletes/">athletes</a>,</strong> and top <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/jr-eybl-championships-7th-grade-ball-handlers/">ball-handlers </a></strong>from the 7th Grade Jr. EYBL Peach Jam, our focus now shifts to the top defenders. Throughout the week, prospects impacted games with their ability to pressure the ball, guard multiple positions, force turnovers, protect the rim, and compete on every possession. The players featured below consistently showed the instincts, toughness, quickness, and versatility needed to disrupt opposing offenses, earning recognition as some of the top defenders from the 7th Grade Jr. EYBL Peach Jam...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3735480"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3735976,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a9069a316016"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cades Cody-Jackson brought consistent energy and effort to the defensive end throughout the 7th Grade Jr. EYBL Peach Jam. He stayed engaged possession after possession, competing on the ball while remaining active when guarding away from it. Cody-Jackson played with good awareness, reacted well to what was happening around him and rarely took possessions off defensively. That level of activity allowed him to provide real value for his team on that side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3735481"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3735926,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a9069a316050"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Phoenix Jackson took on a major defensive role for Team Durant throughout the 7th Grade Jr. EYBL Peach Jam. His combination of size, length and athleticism gave him the tools to defend different types of matchups and disrupt plays away from the ball. Jackson covered ground well, used his length to contest shots and provided consistent activity on that end of the floor. Team Durant leaned heavily on his defensive versatility and ability to handle difficult assignments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3735483"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3735932,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a9069a316071"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brent Jones gave opposing guards problems with his defensive pressure throughout the 7th Grade Jr. EYBL Peach Jam. He crowded ball handlers, stayed active with his hands and consistently looked for opportunities to jump passing lanes and force turnovers. Jones competed with an aggressive approach at the point of attack and made it difficult for guards to comfortably initiate offense. His ability to apply pressure and create disruption was an important part of his defensive value.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3735489"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3735933,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a9069a31608e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The younger brother of nationally ranked 2028 prospect Xavier Skipworth, Julius Skipworth is beginning to build a reputation of his own. His size, length and athleticism translated well defensively at the 7th Grade Jr. EYBL Peach Jam, where he had the tools to bother opponents in a variety of matchups. Skipworth used his physical profile to contest shots, cover space and make plays around the basketball. There is plenty to like about the defensive foundation he already possesses at this stage of his development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3735494"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3735934,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a9069a3160ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keithan Wheeler brought a scrappy and aggressive approach defensively at the 7th Grade Jr. EYBL Peach Jam. He took pride in matching up with opposing forwards, playing them physically and making them work for clean looks. Wheeler was also a vocal presence, communicating throughout possessions and bringing an edge to that side of the ball. His toughness and willingness to take on challenging assignments gave his team a valuable defensive piece.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned for more from Prep Hoops Next!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->