Rankings Updated: 2023 Top Defenders

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The 2023 is a loaded class with tremendous individual players - we all know that.  What is also engaging about this collection of players is that eclectic talent as far as defensive players go.  [player_tooltip player_id="158542" first="Kennedie" last="Shuler"] and [player_tooltip player_id="158553" first="Allie" last="Mead"] are a tough defensive tandem who team up on the NW Stars’ full court trap efforts and are both talented defenders in their own right.  [player_tooltip player_id="158540" first="Onna" last="Brown"] is a tough, blue-collared interior defender who makes it her job to defend the rim and with authority.  Clutch Players’ [player_tooltip player_id="158544" first="Emma" last="Sixta"] is an all-around suave guard who is just as electric on the defensive end whereas [player_tooltip player_id="158539" first="Lizzy" last="Bennett"] is the fundamentally sound guard that makes the correct reads and plays on defensively on every possession.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="158542" first="Kennedie" last="Shuler"] 2023 5’9" PG NW Stars/Barlow HS</strong> - The high motor guard for the Stars makes routine highlight plays on offensive as a prolific passer and scorer.  Defensively, she is just as engaged as a lightning quick guard who comes helpside on the trap and helps come out with the ball.  She is relentless alongside the arc as an on-ball defender with plays with discipline and off instincts - has an excellent feel defensively.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="158553" first="Allie" last="Mead"] 2023 5’5" PG NW Stars/Canby HS</strong> - Allie is the head and shoulders of the NW Stars defensive schemes on their full court trap, in which she is a hard nose defender with good agility and awareness.  Her ability to stifle her opposition is second to none, as she has tremendous foot speed - combined with her grit and determination she makes it incredibly difficult for her opponents to do much of anything.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="158540" first="Onna" last="Brown"] 2023 5’11" SG Holla/Benson Tech</strong> - Onna is an all-around athlete who has a mean streak to her and is a total gamer - defensively she can defend on the perimeter as well as a superb rim-protector.  She challenges shots at the basket and has excellent timing as far as blocked shots go.  No stranger to the highlight block where she will send shots out of bounds - and with authority and no apologies.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="158544" first="Emma" last="Sixta"] 2023 5’10" SG Clutch Players/Jesuit HS</strong> - Sixta is a prolific shooter that gets it done with a lot of skill and swagger, however, this AAU season we have seen her potential as a defender all over the floor.  At 5’10” she has great length and combines this with decision making and discipline.  At the rim, she is an above average rim protector who rebounds exceptionally based on merit.  Great on-ball defender alongside the perimeter.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="158539" first="Lizzy" last="Bennett"] 2023 5’11" SG Monarchs/West Salem HS</strong> - Lizzy is a structured player on both ends of the floor, as her length alone sets herself up in this regard - but it is her fundamentals which lays the foundation.  She plays with a great feel, as she makes the correct rotations regularly and can play inside/outside as far as a defender.  Rebounds well, gets inside the passing lanes - does everything a coach would need as far as within a team defensive scheme.</span>