Big 8 Preview: Best Rim Protectors
Reliable, talented rim protection is the anchor of an elite defense — and these kinds of players are few and far between in the Big 8. The names listed below not only have the metrics — a prerequisite for high-level…
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Continue ReadingReliable, talented rim protection is the anchor of an elite defense — and these kinds of players are few and far between in the Big 8. The names listed below not only have the metrics — a prerequisite for high-level rim protection — but the instincts and coordination to hold down the paint for their respective teams. These are the best rim protectors in the conference:
3. Sierra Pertzborn — 6’3″ — Center — Class of 2023 — Unranked
While Pertzborn has a variety of skills and attributes that make her an intriguing overall prospect — which I highlight here — the front and center of the matter is that you can’t teach 6’3″. But Pertzborn maximizes the utility of her frame with her understanding of space around the low block and ability to recover to either side of the rim quickly. Placing her at #3 on this list is also a hedge on her performance this upcoming season. The Class of 2023 center will undoubtedly be placed into a greater role than was given to her during her sophomore campaign. That responsibility will give her the opportunity to showcase her defensive instincts.
Pertzborn relies on her length and vertical reach to cover her assignment and play the help at the same time in the painted area — and this works well considering her opposition in the Big 8 but to realize her full potential as a rim protector she has to improve her lateral quickness. This will enable her to swallow up more space and become a true anchor.
2. Paige Lambe Paige Lambe 6'2" | PF Verona | 2023 State WI — 6’1″ — F/C — Class of 2023
— #34 overall recruit, #6 PF
What immediately stands out about Lambe is her aggression on the defensive end. She’ll hover around the paint on the help side and spring to her assignment when the situation calls for it. Her length makes the opposition second guess their decision on the ball and she has the lateral quickness to recover. Take this possession below:
https://youtu.be/TJhdUbM_xWw
She starts off patrolling the paint, bounces out quickly to cover her on-ball assignment, makes her second-guess what to do both out and inside of the paint, and Lambe finishes off the possession by absolutely swallowing a layup attempt. She’ll have to cut down on fouls, but nonetheless, Lambe is a textbook rim protector.
1. Makiah Hawk Makiah Hawk 6'1" | SF Sun Prairie | 2023 State WI — 6’1″ — F/C — Class of 2023 — #48 overall recruit, #5 SF
Hawk’s rim protection is so mindboggling because her defensive possessions often start with her on the perimeter — where she easily keeps up with guards and wings despite her 6’1″ frame. She’ll block shots from two-feet, 12-feet, or 22-feet away from the basket. She’s equally adept at being the defensive anchor as she is just bossing up her wing assignment. Defensively, shot-blocking and the know-how of where to be seems to come naturally to her. She doesn’t have elite height — yet — but her reach, positioning, and defensive fundamentals make her an easy choice for the top spot on the list of best rim protectors in the conference.