Top Lockdown Defenders in the 2025 Updated Rankings pt. 2

<p>Defensive assignments continue to become more difficult for teams and players as spacing expands in the half-court. Not to mention the overall skill development for players evolving on the offensive end, meaning the ability to create and score has never been higher. This results in defenders having to cover more ground and switch more often. With that being said, here are some players from the class of 2025 who rise to the occasion.</p>   <p></p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> <p>Defense is about being relentless, from the first minute to the last.</p> <cite>Rick Pitino</cite></blockquote>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <p></p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='642715' first='Sylvania' last='Baca'] | Clamps | Perimeter Defense</h4>   <p>Baca is a lockdown wing defender for Roy/Mosqeuro that suffocates opposing ball-handlers. Sylvania has great instincts and active hands, constantly getting into passing lanes, which is why she was second in total steals -- 106 -- and second in steals per game -- 3.7 -- this past season amongst the 2025 class. </p>   <p></p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <p></p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='467049' first='Alexis' last='Pacheco'] | Hustler | Perimeter Defense</h4>   <p>This past season at Robertson, the speedy Pacheco appeared in 29 games, recording 89 total steals. Thanks to a great motor and competitive nature, Pacheco is often first to collect loose balls, securing possession for her team. Alexis was just 1/6 players in 2022-23 from the 2025 class to average at least 3 steals per game. </p>   <p></p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <p></p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='391106' first='Tana' last='Lopez'] | Menace | Perimeter Defense</h4>   <p>Tana rarely gets beat as an on-ball defender, thanks to her ability to move her feet. Lopez is an above average pick'n'roll defender, handling incoming screens with awareness. In 2022-23, Tana had 81 total steals for Mesa Vista in 28 games played.</p>   <p></p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> <p>Defense is all about heart and desire. You have to want to play defense and you have to want to stop the other team</p> <cite>NBA Hall of Famer, John Stockton - NBA All-Time Steals Leader</cite></blockquote>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <p></p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='565815' first='Neveah' last='Richardson'] | Rim Protector | Block/Low Post</h4>   <p>Neveah is fantastic at altering shots, relying on verticality rather than swiping down or across. A season ago, Richardson appeared in 27 games for the Vikings, recording 58 total blocks, a 2.1 BPG average. </p>   <p></p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <p></p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='391123' first='Kaelynn' last='Trujillo'] | Brick Wall | Interior Defense</h4>   <p>Kaelynn does an excellent job protecting the paint by taking away the roller and also makes it difficult for opposing players to get clean looks. In 29 games played, Trujillo totaled 33 blocks for Mesa Vista. </p>   <p></p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <p></p>

Defensive assignments continue to become more difficult for teams and players as spacing expands in the half-court. Not to mention the overall skill development for players evolving on the offensive end, meaning the ability to create and score has never been higher. This results in defenders having to cover more ground and switch more often. With that being said, here are some players from the class of 2025 who rise to the occasion.