Defensive Standouts: 2023
Defensive Standouts: 2023 “Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.” Below is a list of players who standout when playing defense for their squads. The girls selected to be on this list thrive in pressuring players, altering shots and defending…
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Continue ReadingDefensive Standouts: 2023
“Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.”
Below is a list of players who standout when playing defense for their squads. The girls selected to be on this list thrive in pressuring players, altering shots and defending their basket. Each one of these players is able to stop their opponent on the hardwood and take away their ability to score. Ranked by their ability to focus on forcing tough shots, commitment, balance, defensive stance, intensity and ability to anticipate the steal or deflection. This list consists of smart defenders that ultimately have success in any style of defense their team plays.
1. Avree Antony Avree Antony 5'10" | SG Sun Prarie | 2023 State WI | Sun Prairie | Let It Rain | 5’9 G
Leading this group is the top defensive standout in the 2023 class, a 5’9 guard who currently holds multiple division one offers and has proven to be able to hold her own against high level offensive players. Antony competes with such active hands defensively, and is disruptive by reaching in when off the ball. She has quick footwork and is an overall very hard worker. Constantly playing with an up-tempo, her confidence on the floor certainly rattles her opponents. She has great athletic stances to her game and uses her body well to turn her defender. Depending on the size of the player, Antony would not be a liability if a team switched on everything. Her frame and size give her the capability to be a top defender for years to come. Antony has incredible decision making ability with her steals as well and rarely forces anything defensively.
2. Macy Donarski Macy Donarski 5'7" | PG Aquinas | 2023 State WI | Aquinas | Flight Elite | 5’7 PG
A quick point guard who excels on defense as she has a ceiling for grabbing so many steals per game. Her basketball IQ is high and her understanding for her spacing on the floor works in her favor. She moves well and can read the pass and the move before it even occurs. She’s a high pressure defender in the press break and see’s most of her steals off the full court pressure. Donarski rarely gets tired on defense which makes her even more impressive. She’s relentless and gives 100% the entire time she is on the court.
3. Sammie Buss Sammie Buss 5'5" | PG Neenah | 2023 State WI | Xavier | Flight Elite | 5’5 G
Buss prides herself on her defense and takes her matchups seriously- she wants to get in the bubble of her opponent and win the personal battle. She is a high energy performer and an electric motor makes for a very dynamic defender. She has great natural instincts, and continues to improve her quickness and ability to read the pass. Buss’ defensive potential is through the roof as she continues to be confident being a high-pressure, in your face defender.
4. Amayiah Neilon Amayiah Neilon 5'7" | PG Greenfi | 2023 WI | Greenfield | Bridgewater Elite | 5’5 PG
Neilon is an advanced defender that reads the passing lane well and often jumps passes to get steals. One of the most confident players in her class, Neilon takes pride and is passionate about being a scrappy defender. She’s quick and has tremendous footwork. She does a great job beating her opponent to her spot and turning her the opposite way. She can guard multiple positions as she does a great job using her body to defend as well. She is engaged on the ball and plays with high energy at almost all times.
5. Megan Schuman Megan Schuman 6'0" | SF Brillion | 2023 State WI | Brillion | Purple Aces | 5’10 F
Schuman’s rebounding skills are much better than the numbers may show. She has long arms and physical play that give her a huge advantage. She has a solid frame that allows her to use her lower body strength to guard in the post. She’s advanced enough with her footwork and speed that she can step outside and guard on the perimeter as well. She thrives at both and seems to be comfortable guarding any player as well.
6. Annika Pluemer Annika Pluemer 5'9" | CG Brookfield East | 2023 State WI | Brookfield East | WI Impact | 5’8 G
Plummer shown she can hold her own on the defensive end by holding taller opponents to basically nothing when she’s on the floor. She does a little bit of everything defensively for her Wisconsin Impact team. She steals, rebounds and is everywhere on the floor. Pluemer has been mentioned to be a coaches dream defender as she is quick and scrappy. Don’t count Pluemer out as her ceiling continues to rise in more ways than one.
7. Marie Outlay | Sun Prairie | Flight Elite | 5’9 G
Outlay is a dominant defender and has great size. When Outlay guards a prospect any shorter than her, they don’t stand a chance. She is a super smart player that makes the right read. She’s quick for her size, yet very composed, when pressuring a defender. She rarely draws a foul and has active hands at all times. Her swagger and confidence gets her going defensively as well, she’s extremely comfortable guarding the opposing team’s best guard. Of course, Outlay is more comfortable on the offensive end- but is someone to keep an eye on. If her defense continues to rise the way her offense has this summer, this kid will be a very tough matchup.
8. Lexi Bugajski | New Berlin Eisenhower | WI Impact | 6’0 F
Although not seeing as many minutes during her freshman season at Eisenhower, Bugajski is a player to watch out for in the years to come. She has proven her maturity on the floor and adaptability to all styles of play. The WI Impact forward plays up 2 years for her team and has fit in just fine. She has solid post defense and can defend almost anyone on this list and hold her own. She has great anticipation and boxes out with so much strength underneith. A rebounding specialist for her squad, look for Bugaksi to be the impact rebounder for her HS and her AAU squad all season long.
9. Meghan Schultz Meghan Schultz 6'4" | C New Berlin West | 2023 State WI | New Berlin West | Wisconsin Shooters | 6’4 F
Schultz plays with a lot of energy on the floor. She consistently gives great effort. Because of her body and physicality, she shows upside of being an even better defender that could possibly guard down positions 2-5. She also has the potential to be the best rebounder for her position. Her ability to grab boards has already been so impressive. Schultz has been chosen for the all defensive team spot as she has some of the best post-defense footwork I’ve seen this season.