AAU Defensive Player of the Year: Tori McKinney

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At this point in their basketball careers, [player_tooltip player_id='215958' first='Tori' last='McKinney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='178269' first='Liv' last='McGill'] have forged well-deserved reputations. Although they are two very different players in style and on-court demeanor, both have established one thing in common – they can defend! [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYBL and Minnetonka High School rely heavily on Tori's ability to set the tone defensively. Ditto for how Hopkins and [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] 3SSB look at what Liv can accomplish. Last year we honored McGill as our AAU Defensive Player of the Year while McKinney was our runner-up. This year we've flipped the order just because. In reality, both players are equally deserving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>None of our selections for this year's AAU Defensive Player of the Year should come as a surprise. In scouring our notes on the 2023 AAU season while searching for defensive players worthy of recognition, it became even more clear in our mind that the five veterans profiled here were the most deserving. Here is a brief look at the standouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='215958' first='Tori' last='McKinney'] <strong>– 2024 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] EYBL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The #4-rated prospect among incoming seniors, McKinney is the highest-rated talent still available in the Class of 2024. It's no wonder she still has tough decisions to make. She has come back from a long-term knee injury to perform at even higher levels than before, directing the [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] offense with aplomb, scoring consistently, and enhancing her leadership abilities along the way. All the while McKinney has shut down elite opponents at the biggest events in the country. That's why she made our 1st All Star team. The 6'1 guard has the size, length, wingspan and athleticism to hang with anyone. What makes her an elite defender is her desire, her discipline and her instincts. McKinney always seems to be dialed in, sharply focused on the task at hand and ready to pounce when the opportunity presents itself. It doesn't hurt that she's super quick and can react instantly to whatever an opponent might come up with. All that, and a deep understanding of things like positioning and angles, makes her a frustrating opponent to face game in and game out. It also makes her worthy of being named AAU Defensive Player of the Year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":415304,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/04/Liv-McGill-1-scaled.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-415304" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RUNNER-UP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='178269' first='Liv' last='McGill'] <strong>– 2024 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712665' first='Metro' last='Stars'] 3SSB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The guard from Hopkins is the #2-rated prospect in the senior class, a seasoned performer who has done great work on the biggest stages. Whether we're talking about the high school state tournament, national AAU events, or representing as an Adidas All American in Italy, McGill has done it all and earned a scholarship to the University of Florida as a result. On the court she is McKinney's polar opposite. While Tori takes a calm, measured approach to things, Liv is all about the fire. She's loud, she's vocal, she is intense. It's intimidating to be sure. When you go 94 feet against this elite athlete you're going to pay the price just to survive. The 5'9 senior has great lateral movement. That allows her to stay in front of even the quickest ball handlers. Combined with her strength and size, she can guard multiple positions at an elite level. Her hands are active, leading to plenty of steals. Her vertical abilities make her a potent shot blocker, too. We have loved seeing the growth in Liv's game over the years and it's going to be a blast watching her become an elite collegian, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HONORABLE MENTIONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='208185' first='Liana' last='Buckhalton'] <strong>– 2025 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712687' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] 2025 UAA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's top Fury sophomore team was loaded with talented performers as always, from [player_tooltip player_id='252379' first='Addison' last='Mack'] and [player_tooltip player_id='205298' first='Jordan' last='Ode'] to [player_tooltip player_id='346166' first='Autumn' last='McCall'], [player_tooltip player_id='252480' first='Rae' last='Ehrman'] and more. Sometimes overlooked in the conversation, however, is Buckhalton. The 6-footer from Stillwater, ranked #12 in the Class of 2025, brings size, length and athleticism to the table along with more than ample offensive abilities. We love her grim determination and competitiveness, a mark of top performers everywhere. With all of that said, it is her defensive abilities that will get her on the floor early and often at the Division 1 level. We're happy to make note of that one more time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='205310' first='Tori' last='Oehrlein'] <strong>– 2026 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712700' first='Minnesota' last='Suns'] 2024 S40</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'11 guard from Crosby-Ironton earned our 2026 MVP award for her all-around excellence, versatility, leadership skills and execution. It was Tori's defensive prowess, however, that put her over the top. Oehrlein uses her size, length, athleticism and exceptional basketball intelligence to shut down opponents on a regular basis. She's also more than willing to deliver in the effort department, which is largely how she has become one of the state's premier rebounders. This summer Tori went up against some elite national opponents who quickly discovered that she, too, is among the country's very best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='529357' first='Emma' last='Millerbernd'] <strong>– 2027 guard, [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] Nike</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unlike most [program_tooltip program_id='712722' first='North' last='Tartan'] squads, the 2027 Nike unit didn't seem to generate a lot of buzz this summer. Like their undisputed leader, however, the team got the job done when it mattered most with a top-three finish at the AAU State Tournament. The Providence Academy guard is one of the very best prospects in the Class of 2027. Millerbernd's defensive credentials are well-established given that she was our high school defender of the year regardless of grade or class. She's fundamentally sound, has a high basketball IQ, plays with calm and quiet determination, and is not intimidated by all manner of opponents. What you see is what you get, and it's very, very good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->