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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">As much as most of us focus on the offensive side of the ball, defense holds a ton of value too, and coaches sometimes build their teams around their best defensive assets. At the next level, that gets leaned into a little more, and defense is what will keep you on the floor, regardless of how offensively talented you are. Below are some of the state's top defenders. Whether it's on the perimeter or in the paint, these players make it hard for any offense to have a fully successful night.</h3>
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<p class="text-gray-700"><em>The argument of Todd being the best on-ball defender in the state is not argued by many, and when you watch how much effort and attention she puts on that end, you'll understand why this discussion can be had. She's lengthy, quick, and aggressive, and doesn't necessarily "hack" her matchup. She plays physical without really getting into foul trouble, and if she does she knows how to adapt quickly to whats being called, and how the game is being called. </em></p>
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<p class="text-gray-700"><em>Much of Skye's offensive ability has been promoted and talked about, but I believe at the next level, her length will be used primarily on defense. She can double as a paint blanket for wings and posts who want to score down low, while making guards second guessing whether they want to attack the basket. Over time, she'll benefit from improving her footwork and ability to quickly read the hedge or drop defense. As that confidence grows, adding muscle will be key, especially against physical post players and guards who want to challenge her at the rim.</em></p>
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<p class="text-gray-700"><em>The length alone allows How to change things in the paint, even before making contact with a player or the ball. She's a physical threat just by being near the rim, since she forces most guards to kick out or hesitate before deciding. She still has room to grow as a true defensive stopper, but what she brings to the table now does a ton for her program. She'll definitely continue to develop, and with her being a little more agile and versatile than other players with her frame, she could become a perimeter threat as well.</em></p>
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<p class="text-gray-700"><em>The eye test, the film, and the evaluations have proved growth in Williams overall growth as a player within the past couple of years, and the main thing has been her physicality on the defensive end and how that impacts every possession she's in. Nothing comes easy in the paint when she's on the floor, and the effort she brings makes her a bit harder to game plan for. Looking to see more growth in her game over the next couple of years. </em></p>
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<p class="text-gray-700"><em>Muhammad is already one of the top defenders in the freshman class, and what she does from an on-ball standpoint is really something to watch. From what I saw this summer, she brought the same level of 84-foot defense to every game and didn't let up on any matchup. She's physical, handsy, and smart, and when she does take risks, they seem calculated. There are players who are strong defensively here and there, but her concentration and energy are as consistent as you would want for her age. </em></p>
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As much as most of us focus on the offensive side of the ball, defense holds a ton of value too, and coaches sometimes build their teams around their best defensive assets. At the next level, that gets leaned into a little more, and defense is what will keep you on the floor, regardless of how offensively talented you are. Below are some of the state's top defenders. Whether it's on the perimeter or in the paint, these players make it hard for any offense to have a fully successful night.
The argument of Todd being the best on-ball defender in the state is not argued by many, and when you watch how much effort and attention she puts on that end, you'll understand why this discussion can be had. She's…
Much of Skye's offensive ability has been promoted and talked about, but I believe at the next level, her length will be used primarily on defense. She can double as a paint blanket for wings and posts who want to score down low, while making guards second guessing whether they want to attack the basket. Over time, she'll benefit from improving her footwork and ability to quickly read the hedge or drop defense. As that confidence grows, adding muscle will be key, especially against physical post players and guards who want to challenge her at the rim.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
The length alone allows How to change things in the paint, even before making contact with a player or the ball. She's a physical threat just by being near the rim, since she forces most guards to kick out or hesitate before deciding. She still has room to grow as a true defensive stopper, but what she brings to the table now does a ton for her program. She'll definitely continue to develop, and with her being a little more agile and versatile than other players with her frame, she could become a perimeter threat as well.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
The eye test, the film, and the evaluations have proved growth in Williams overall growth as a player within the past couple of years, and the main thing has been her physicality on the defensive end and how that impacts…
Muhammad is already one of the top defenders in the freshman class, and what she does from an on-ball standpoint is really something to watch. From what I saw this summer, she brought the same level of 84-foot defense to every game and didn't let up on any matchup. She's physical, handsy, and smart, and when she does take risks, they seem calculated. There are players who are strong defensively here and there, but her concentration and energy are as consistent as you would want for her age.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
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