New York Pre-Season Defensive POY Watchlist Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we will look at candidates in the state of New York that have a chance at winning Defensive Player of the Year for this upcoming season in a two part series. Let's take a look in no particular order. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='861949' first='Malia' last='Jackson'], Fr, Hudson</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6'1 Wing</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Averaged 13 Rebounds, 3 Steals, 2 Blocks Per Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm putting Jackson as one of my favorite players in the entire state of New York. Lots of potential. The freshmen forward played at the varsity level as an eight grader and the should be ready to take the next step in her development. She can be a force on the offensive and defensive end. Defensively, she has great instincts and range, mixed with elite athleticism/footwork that makes her skillset limitless as a five tool player. This season, she should get the assignment of shutting down the top offensive player each night. Not many 8th graders make an impact the way she did last season, and excited to watch her development this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='884352' first='Mona' last='Okorie'], Jr, Holy Cross</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6'1 Forward</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Averaged 14 Rebounds, 1 Steal, 3 Blocks Per Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Okori is an athletic wing that made some noise last season with her defense. She played really well defensively as a sophomore and should carry that confidence into her junior season. She is very versatile and can guard any position. Can run the floor, create turnovers, cleans up on the glass, and can protect the rim with her shot blocking. Elite basketball IQ, has a high ceiling if she continues at this trajectory. Expecting a big season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='384798' first='Ariel' last='Little'], Sr, South Shore</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5'5 Guard</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Little spearheads a potent defensive attack at South Shore and she's the engine that makes it go. Little is one of the top perimeter defenders in the country. Her ability to take the best player out of the game every night is why she's on this list, plain and simple. She is relentless, confident, and has that X-Factor you want in a leader. She had a great offseason on the summer circuit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='413880' first='Madison' last='Francis'], Jr, Lancaster</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6'1 Wing</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Averaged 12 Rebounds, 4 Steals, 3 Blocks Per Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Francis is a force defensively. She can guard any position and erase them from the scoreboard. She is an athletic wing with elite footwork, high motor, and great court instincts/awareness. Can push through screens, eliminate passing lanes, and switch on pick and rolls. Plays will an edge/moxie that you love to see and will make every shot tough to make. High ceiling for Francis and she's just scratching the surface of how good she can be. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='476206' first='Arianna' last='Mercado'], Jr, East New York </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5'5 Guard</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Averaged 5 Rebounds, 3 Steals, 5 Blocks Per Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mercado is a hooper and plays with a physical edge to her game. Really confident and coming off a productive offseason circuit heading into her junior season. She has all the tools defensively and can guard any position on the floor. She will always look for an easy bucket turning defense into offensive. High basketball IQ that gives her the ability to see the play before it happens and anticipate it with her quick first step. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->