AAU Recap: Top North Dakota Defenders
The Grassroots season wrapped up at the end of July, which means basketball for the summer is essentially over. A lot changes from the end of the season in March to the time the school year starts with many of…
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Continue ReadingThe Grassroots season wrapped up at the end of July, which means basketball for the summer is essentially over. A lot changes from the end of the season in March to the time the school year starts with many of the top players participating in grassroots hoops.
Here are some of the top defenders from the summer
Brady Dvorak, 17U ECI Prospects
Dvorak went into the summer as a well-established scorer out of Grand Forks Red River but his biggest impact this summer with ECI was on the defensive end where he proved to be an absolute menace. A strongly built lead guard, Dvorak uses his strength and quickness to harass opposing ball handlers up and down the floor and his awareness allows him to make an impact off the ball.
Jorn Everson, 16U Pentagon Schoolers
Everson showed throughout the summer what makes him such a strong prospect. He’s 6-foot-7 and shows a developing offensive game. But his greatest value comes on the defensive end where his length and tenacity allow him to impact the game in a big way. He’s capable of guarding wings and bigs alike. He can protect the rim, contest beyond the 3-point line; he can hedge on ball screens and move his feet and he’s active as a help guy.
Will Obioha, 16U ECI Prospects
It’s easy to see why Grand Forks Red River had such a good defense a year ago. Obioha was a big key in that effort and his presence made ECI a strong defensive group. He’s a ball hawk in the passing lanes and as a help defender and he’s got the athleticism to make up ground if he’s caught out of position (which can happen still at times). He’s so long that he can swallow up opposing ball handlers and he can rebound and start transition offense quicker than anybody.
Cayden Rickard, 17U Inspired Athletics
Rickard, like Dvorak, was a known scorer going into the summer but his effort and energy on the defensive end was impressive. His smarts are an asset as he plays with a great understanding of angles defending the ball and he’s got good instincts as a help defender which results in a lot of turnovers and deflections.
Cam Van Dam, 17U ECI Prospects
Van Dam is one of the best defenders in the state and he showed a lot of those skills over the summer with ECI. The 6-foot-7 Fargo Davies product is a menace as a help defender, possessing the athleticism and range to cover ground from the rim to the 3-point line. He’s physical enough to hold his own against bigger post players but he’s at his best when he’s timing up shots at the rim and using his length to wall off ball handlers.
Jase Crockett, 16U ECI
Crockett looks like a football player on the court. He’s extremely strong, cat-quick and has the tenacity to control a game on the defensive end. He puts great pressure on the ball, has the strength and quickness to get around, over or through screens and has active hands leading to a lot of steals and deflections. He’s energetic on that end pressuring the passing lanes and is talkative for everybody else.