Standout Freshman Frontcourt Defenders

With the freshman class getting a lot of attention on the site as well as the updated rankings being the topic of discussion at the moment, it's an ideal time to mention some of the bigs that're impact defenders. These girls mentioned all have different abilities. Some of these posts are 2-way players, but right now they're being highlighted for the defensive influence. They're all impressionable in their own way. Below are 5 standout freshman frontcourt defenders.   Use code MBG30 for 30% off your first purchase of any subscription.    Addsion Brennan (2028) | 6'3 C | WMA   The size alone offered from Brennan is enough of a deterrent for many lane penetrators. The protection she provides can be foundational and the defensive production has so much potential. Addsion isn't afraid of contact either. She's learning to play vertically and showing the ability to stay out of foul trouble. Addsion can be a major element to the backbone of any defense with more time on the floor. She's one of the more solid overall big defenders in the class. Brannan will get a chance to play a lot more minutes this Spring and expect her impact to be felt playing with IBelieve.     [player_tooltip player_id='351272' first='Kaylis' last='Diaz'] (2028) | 5'9 Forward | Mansfield   One of the only players on this list with the ability to guard 3 different positions, Diaz' versatility can't be spoken more highly of. She's incredibly scrappy, understands when to play home or get up in the lane-line, communicates on the backline, has active hands, uses her length to close the gaps and can fight through or even switch off on screens. Kaylis has earned minutes through the course of the season by taking on the challenge of being a defensive menace for Mansfield. The coach is able to insert her and essentially sic her onto whoever they'd like to disrupt. She'd take on any task given to her. The competitive spirit contributes to her phenomenal defensive capacities. The '28 forward separates herself from many in the group by displaying more passion and effort in each possession. She takes no plays off. It's refreshing to see players with these types of attributes thrive.     [player_tooltip player_id='351274' first='Alana' last='McNamara'] (2028) | 5'10 PF | Archbishop Williams   Featured many times this year, the double-double threat is quite the freshman big. Even though she offers stately 2-way play, the dependability of Alana on the defensive side of the ball is one of the underlying factors as to why she's so effective. Each game, McNamara is liable to secure a bunch of possessions by snagging the needed rebounds from the post areas. She gets her positioning from her strong frame and she has a nose for the ball. Alana also contributes a lot by getting her hands on the ball in the lane. Whether that's on a shovel pass in traffic or swiping it from players as they're attempting their layups, her hands are extremely fast. Not only deflections or steals, but Alana also comes up withing some timely blocks down there. Her defensive presence really rounds her game out to make her the #2 ranked player at her position.     [player_tooltip player_id='975942' first='Joy' last='Mbugua'] (2028) | PF | Billerica   The Billerica ascending '28 forward has been a gem. She brings immense value on the defensive side of the ball. Defense is surely her bread and butter, all the inherent traits come out at all the right times. Joy is incredibly active, maybe one of the most active forwards in the class. She's nimble, with stellar agility as well as footwork so she can stop on a dime or get in and out of the lane to show extremely quickly. Her presence alone is enough to make players with the ball second guess their decisions. Her blocks couldn't come at better times either. Many bigs may see the long, yet thin frame of Mbugua and proceed to think they can take advantage on the block. These players are mistaken though, Joy can also plant her feet while playing vertically, allowing her reach to affect the shot. Not only that, but Joy loves tracking the ball on the flight of the pass. She will disrupt passes even made from the perimeter into the high-post area too. Joy's characteristics make her a quality individual or team defender.     [player_tooltip player_id='903426' first='Alexa' last='Scaringello'] (2028) | 6'1 PF/C | St. Mark's   Scaringello is one of the more reliable rebounders in this class. She's vital to the team's defensive mechanics as well. As the rotations shift, Alexa makes it her point to show hard and provide teammates with excellent help-side shot protection. She's a player that's nimble enough as a big to dash between lane-lines as well as hold her own against the individual matchups. Not only is she energetic in the paint, but she understands how to affect the game at an early stage. The St. Mark's big is one to keep an eye on this Spring.

With the freshman class getting a lot of attention on the site as well as the updated rankings being the topic of discussion at the moment, it's an ideal time to mention some of the bigs that're impact defenders. These girls mentioned all have different abilities. Some of these posts are 2-way players, but right now they're being highlighted for the defensive influence. They're all impressionable in their own way. Below are 5 standout freshman frontcourt defenders.