AAU Defender of the Year: Alexis Pratt
Alexis Pratt Alexis Pratt 5'5" | PG Stillwater | 2021 State MN has been lighting up defenders and pouring in the points in high school basketball for more than five years now since making her varsity debut as a prolific…
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Continue ReadingAlexis Pratt Alexis Pratt 5'5" | PG Stillwater | 2021 State MN has been lighting up defenders and pouring in the points in high school basketball for more than five years now since making her varsity debut as a prolific 7th grader in North St. Paul. Her reputation as a shooter and a scorer is well-established. What’s likely more important for Pratt’s basketball future, though, is her ability to stop other players from doing the same thing. For all of her rather substantial offensive abilities, Pratt is arguably better on the other side of the basketball, something she demonstrated once again this summer as a member of Minnesota Fury 2021 UAA. That’s why we are pleased to name the rising senior from Stillwater as our Prep Girls Hoops AAU Defender of the Year.
“Her lateral quickness and straight line speed make her an unbelievable on-the-ball defender,” said Fury coach Tim Peper. “It is a constant battle for a ball handler just to get the ball entered into an offense. These attributes also make her a threat to pick the pocket of the offensive player or intercept a pass leading to an easy basket on the other end.”
Listed at 5’5 – that’s probably in shoes – Pratt is one of the smallest elite players in the state. That’s a fact that has become almost irrelevant now because she is also one of the quickest and most tenacious. And most intelligent. And most skilled. And one of the best overall. Period. Full stop. End of story.
“She sets the tone for our defense with her athleticism and pure determination,” Peper explained. “It allows us to free up other defenders out of gaps because she is going to be able to keep her offensive player in front. It also sets a standard for everyone else as they see her competing hard every possession and others follow suit and really compete on the defensive end… She is as good a competitor who gives everything she has every single game that I have ever seen. She never takes an offensive or defensive possession off.”
Add it all up and you have a top-20 prospect who will play Division 1 basketball for the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
RUNNER-UP
Myra Moorjani Myra Moorjani 5'8" | CG Eden Prairie | 2022 State MN – North Tartan 2022 (Eden Prairie)
Moorjani has length and speed and intelligence, but it is the quickness of her feet and superior lateral movement that has allowed the Eden Prairie guard to be a superior defender. Myra is one of five players who came over from DTA Academy to North Tartan with coach Marqus McGlothan, who knows full well what Moorjani brings to the table. “Myra anticipates her opponents’ movements so well,” McGlothan said, “and her quick feet allow her to keep up with almost anyone.”
Moorjani’s offensive abilities are also a major factor but it is her defensive dedication that will carry Myra to the next level. “Her defense allows me to trust that whoever she is guarding will be contained,” McGlothan said. “She is always communicating with her teammates regarding switching or calling out screens which leads to her motivating her teammates in crucial situations. It’s never about her. It’s always about the team.”
The 5’8 combo guard is ranked #29 in the class of 2022. Moorjani is also an elite soccer player at Eden Prairie, who plays that sport at a very high level, as well. Unfortunately that’s what she was doing last week when she suffered a torn ACL that will keep her out of action for the foreseeable future.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Kiani Lockett Kiani Lockett 5'9" | PG Minnetonka | 2022 State MN – FBC North 2021 (Minnetonka)
Like Pratt, Lockett is known for her outstanding offensive abilities. She is a terrific ball-handler, excellent shooter and one of the smartest floor generals around. What sometimes gets overlooked, however, is what a great defender she is. Lockett’s ability to guard the ball is impressive, and her tenacity is unmatched. Kiani played up a year this summer for Tylor Coley’s FBC North squad. This fall the top 10 incoming junior will move to a new school and suit up for the Skippers of Minnetonka.
Briana Stoltzman Briana Stoltzman 5'8" | CG Mankato West | 2021 State MN – Minnesota Rise 2021 Wolfe (Mankato West)
Bri knows how to run an offense and is a threat to score every time she steps on the floor in the Big 9 Conference. She has the stats to prove it, too, but in AAU basketball it is her defensive prowess that is Stoltzman’s calling card. Bri is a gritty competitor with quick feet and dogged determination who made life difficult for opponents all summer on behalf of coach Dan Wolfe’s Minnesota Rise. The 5’8 guard has committed to Division 2 Southwest Minnesota State.
Alayna Contreras Alayna Contreras 5'7" | CG Hopkins | 2022 State MN – Metro Stars 2022 Starks (Hopkins)
In the lineup of the Hopkins Royals, and their co-related AAU squad from the Minnesota Metro Stars, others may draw more headlines but nobody puts in more effort than Contreras. Alayna is a workhorse who has toiled away quietly in the shadows and made herself into an outstanding player and next-level prospect. The 5’6 guard is ranked #24 among Minnesota’s incoming juniors and her stellar defending is one of the key reasons why.
Lily Fandre Lily Fandre 6'2" | SF Eagan | 2022 State MN – Minnesota Stars 2022 Nilsen (Eagan)
Length is a huge asset for a defender, particularly in the paint. Fandre, who stands about 6’2 in shoes, certainly knows how to use hers. The #22-ranked player in the class of 2022, Fandre is a prodigious shot blocker with a terrific sense of timing and the natural instincts to get a hand on the ball in the right place at the right time. That’s one of many reasons why she is now a solid D1 prospect.
Ayla Brown Ayla Brown 5'6" | SG Becker | 2023 State MN – Minnesota Comets 2023 Elite (Becker)
A couple of days ago we handed out our award for the AAU Breakout Player of the Year and Becker’s Brown earned an honorable mention. One of the key reasons why the 2023 guard established herself this summer as a rising prospect in the sophomore class was her tenacious defense. The 5’6 guard may play for the Bulldogs but she also is one!
ONE MORE TO MENTION
One final thought: We would be remiss in selecting the top defensive players of this AAU season if we didn’t at least mention rising senior Maty Wilke of North Tartan, who would most certainly have won this award if she had a Minnesota address. The Wisconsin import was once again superior on the defensive side of the ball this year. A high-major college coach I talked with recently about Wilke called her one of the best all-around defenders in the country. Most keen observers would say that is a fair assessment. Since our post-season awards are for Minnesota prospects only we’ll simply offer a tip of the cap to Wilke, who also happens to be a terrific kid. We look forward to watching her work next season on behalf of the Wisconsin Badgers.
Top photo: Alexis Pratt Alexis Pratt 5'5" | PG Stillwater | 2021 State MN of Stillwater (front row, second from the left) helped lead Minnesota Fury 2021 UAA to another state championship.