Mile High Madness: Impactful Hustle Players

Clayton Conover

July 31, 2023 @ 07:34 PM

These players all have one thing in common, constant hustle. They were highly impactful as rebounders all while adding value on the defensive side of the floor. All of them bring quick reaction speeds and fundamentally sound impact in paint.    Colin Swanson - Denver South - Colorado Truth - 2026   Swanson brought value in the paint through his constant rim protection and willingness to crash the glass possession by possession. Standing right around 6'5, Swanson was one of Truth's most impactful players, truly maximizing every opportunity at hand. He did well grabbing rebounds on both ends, staying aggressive for putback opportunities, finishing through contests with either hand. Defensively, Swanson was consistent getting one or both hands up on contests, significantly disrupting the opponents around the basket. With continued growth of his perimeter game, Swanson boasts notable intrigue heading into his sophomore season.    Declan MacDonald - Denver East - IBA 15U - 2026   MacDonald brought physicality, grit, and intriguing skill in the mid-range. The 6'4 forward stayed ready for rebounds at all times, seeking out box outs regardless of his opponent. MacDonald was fairly strong in the paint on either end of the floor. Defensively, he held his own against opposing bigs by staying in a low stance to take bumps along with staying disciplined keeping an arm up. On offense, MacDonald was all over the glass for putbacks, although he brought upside in other areas. In one aspect of his game, the forward was a knockdown shooter off of spot-ups or mid-post fadeaways, proving capable as a shotmaker.    Ryan Meyers - Severance - 24MD Team Daum 15's Select - 2026   Meyers provided value as a sturdy complementary rebounder and scoring threat to a largely undersized group. Although playing a 4 or 5 with this Daum Elite team, he was steady on the defensive end, maneuvering around into position of rotations and rebounds. Standing at roughly 6'1, Meyers was notably strong for a 2026, not moved around by any opponents. Another aspect of his game came from quick defensive rotations, staying ready to rotate and maximize his strength. The incoming sophomore shows offensive value as a spot-up shooter, capable of knocking down jumpers off the catch from the corners and wings.    [player_tooltip player_id='1942617' first='Jonathan' last='Haubert'] - [program_tooltip program_id='2075463' first='Elevation' last='Flyers'] - 2027   An incoming freshman, Haubert brought a unique blend of hustle and passing vision for a talented 2027 Flyers group. The guard was highly impactful as a facilitator, constantly searching for the extra pass to baseline cutters and dump offs once a double came. Alongside Haubert's IQ was complemented by hustle on either end of the floor, never stopping to ball watch on the glass. Haubert's progression as a ball handler will be intriguing, given the blend of physicality and facilitating vision that few guards at his age possess.    [player_tooltip player_id='2120954' first='Logan' last='McCanna'] - [program_tooltip program_id='2075463' first='Elevation' last='Flyers'] - 2027   McCanna will be an impactful player over the coming years, given his length and willingness to maximize his strength. At roughly 6'4, he was impactful on the defensive end, altering shot attempts however possible. McCanna already boasts consistent touch from the free throw line, leaving intrigue for him as a floor spacer. His ability to anchor the defense cannot go overlooked, although there is still ample room for growth with the freshman forward.

These players all have one thing in common, constant hustle. They were highly impactful as rebounders all while adding value on the defensive side of the floor. All of them bring quick reaction speeds and fundamentally sound impact in paint.