SIAA Top Defensive Prospects: Big Men

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Defense wins championships and these guys can all add to a defensive core. We’re looking at the best defensive prospects I’ve seen from the SIAA’s early season events. There are pesky guards, switchable wings, and rim protecting bigs that can anchor a top defense. This will be the first article of a four-part series detailing most intriguing defensive players starting with their big man group. Without further ado, let’s get into the players with translatable defensive traits in Florida’s premier conference.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/IMG_6585-rotated.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1369678" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/IMG_6585-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1163154" first="Christian" last="Richardson"]</strong></p> <p>At 7’1 with plus length, this 2022 prospect is a wall at the rim. In Potter’s house game against Victory Rock, he didn’t block many shots but altered everything around the rim. Guys think twice about challenging a guy whose fingertips rest in the middle of the net. Richardson is light on his feet for someone with his measurables.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/IMG-2842.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1310705 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/IMG-2842-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1316833" first="Owen" last="Aquino"]</strong></p> <p>A 6’9 frame, good timing, and next-level athleticism make the Spaniard a quality weak-side rim protector. Aquino’s awareness on the court allows his teammates to gamble because they know they have someone that can clean up mistakes. The senior covers a lot of ground quickly and boasts several games with 5+ blocks. He has a strong base that allows him to bang in the post. His overall skill set and quick feet should help him make an impact as a freshman.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1316836" first="Pape" last="Lamine Niang"]</strong></p> <p>Niang is a legitimate rim protector at 6’10. His length gives him one of the tallest standing reaches in the conference. Big hands and the mobility to run the floor give the unsigned senior a base to be a more than an effective shot blocker. Add in a 7’5 wingspan and we’re looking at a guy that can step onto a college campus and help a defense.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/IMG_6570-rotated.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1369682" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/IMG_6570-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1310855" first="Joshua" last="Hayes"]</strong></p> <p>This 2023 big man is still figuring things out while being a near double-double threat. He’s athletic and mobile at 6-10 post with the length to be a very promising rim protector. Hayes has good recovery speed for weak-side blocks. His combination of athleticism and length gives him the potential to be a good two-way shot blocking 4/5.</p> <p><strong>Kevin Vera</strong></p> <p>Though Vera is the rawest member of this group, it’s hard to pass on a 7’1 post presence. He has huge hands and tends to be in the right place on defense. Plus length and a strong base make him a wall in the paint. In the SIAA’s first X over event, he blocked shots without leaving his feet. The senior’s best ball is in front of him and a prep year will serve him well.</p>