Best Interior Defenders

Here are some of the best Interior Defenders in the state.    [player_tooltip player_id='579893' first='Peyton' last='White'] has been an elite defender for Gainesville since her freshmen year, and she is the anchor to a really good defense. Peyton is a great athlete and understands how to use her athleticism mixed with her length. She has a great motor and protects the paint at a high level. Peyton doesn't shy away from contact, and she is hard to bully. Peyton deflects passes well and racks up blocks with the best of them. Peyton may have to be more of a four at the next level, but right now, she is an elite interior defender.     [player_tooltip player_id='834729' first='Jameela' last='James'] already has the length and height for a center at the next level, and she has a lot of the defensive instincts you want from your 5. She is a good athlete and an outstanding rim protector. Jameela is still a little bit of a work in progress offensively, even though she is very effective on that end. What she does in the paint defensively is where she shines, and I have no doubt she will become a high-level defender at the next level.     It is crazy to see how much better [player_tooltip player_id='569079' first='Abuna' last='Ruop'] has gotten over the best year or so, and I think she is the most impactful interior defender in the state. She is a nationally-ranked talent because she wrecks opposing teams gameplans. She alters virtually every shot at the rim and always finishes the game with a handful of blocks. Abuna isn't the strongest right now, but I am sure that will come the older she gets. You will see Abuna at a high-level D1 program contributing as an interior defender.     Another 6'8 player who is unsurprisingly an elite interior defender is [player_tooltip player_id='732169' first='Emily' last='Hunter']. Emily has gotten offers from a lot of Power 5 schools over the past year. She is elite on the offensive end with her back-to-the-basket game, but she also does a lot of great things defensively in the paint. She blocks a lot of shots but is also very strong and uses her physical advantages well. There is nothing easy in the paint when Emily is there.     [player_tooltip player_id='732203' first='Adina' last='Asuelimen'] still has a learning curve and is still pretty raw, but she is a good interior defender now and will develop into a high-level one. Adina is strong, athletic, and so physically dominant for a sophomore. Adina rebounds the ball well and has a great motor. She never will be a player that you will have an easy time moving, and she already has the size of a five at the next level. Adina has all the physical tools to be an elite interior defender, and you see flashes right now.     I've watched [player_tooltip player_id='443377' first='Ta'Nya' last='Henson'] play a couple of times for Boo Williams, and her disruptiveness in the paint always stands out to me. Ta'Nya is long and has great energy. She blocks and alters shots at the rim and does a great job on the glass. She has terrific defensive instincts, especially when she is blocking shots, and when she gets stronger and develops, she will be one of the 2 or 3 best shot blockers in the state.     [player_tooltip player_id='897854' first='Penda' last='Dieng'] is a very talented and complete player, and I love what she brings to the defensive end. She may move better than anyone on this list and has terrific defensive instincts. Penda is a great athlete and has outstanding length. She blocks a lot of shots, and it's challenging to get a good look in the paint if she is there. Penda rebounds well, and although she is an elite interior defender now, I could see her guarding more than just the paint at the next level.

Here are some of the best Interior Defenders in the state.