Protectors of the Paint: The Area's Top Shot Blockers

<div id="launch-banner" class="launch-banner"> <div class="launch-banner-content"> <div class="launch-banner-section bar-controls"></div> <div class="launch-banner-section dismiss-button" style="text-align: left;">When Orange Park’s Nia Brown departed she took a skill with her that only a few of the players on the First Coast possess. That skill was the skill and art of shot-blocking. The ability to reject</div> <div class="launch-banner-section dismiss-button" style="text-align: left;">someone’s shot, create a change of possession, cause a change in momentum, or even cause a change in the mindset of the opponent. The following is a list of the best shot blockers on the</div> <div class="launch-banner-section dismiss-button" style="text-align: left;">First Coast.</div> <div></div> <div> [player_tooltip player_id="91643" first="Jada" last="Jones"] 2023 C (FGB Sandalwood) <em><strong>(pictured above) </strong></em> is one of the best shot blockers in the State. At 6’4, Jones doesn’t play around in the paint. This past season, she averaged 3 blocks per game. As a dominant center, Jones is a true defender of the paint. In addition to her 3 blocks per game, Jones also averaged 8.1 rebounds per game. She is primed for a special Senior season. </div> </div> </div> <div id="page" class="site"> <a class="skip-link screen-reader-text" href="https://hunterkeithl.wordpress.com/?page_id=2735&preview=true#content">Skip to content<span style="font-size: 1rem;">When Orange Park Nia Brown departed she took a skill with her that only a few on the First Coast have experienced. The joy of rejecting someone’s shot and blocking it into the cheap seats, or taking a shot out of the air and creating a change of possession. The following is a list of the best shot Blockers I have seen in the past few months.</span></a> <div id="content" class="site-content"><section id="primary" class="content-area"><main id="main" class="site-main" role="main"><article id="post-2735" class="post-2735 page type-page status-draft hentry entry"> <div class="entry-content"> <img class=" wp-image-311605 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8728-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="171" height="171" />[player_tooltip player_id="247154" first="Yakiya" last="Milton"] ( 2024 ECU Family). In one game last season Milton rejected 10 shots on her way to a triple-double in the process. She is one of the most versatile defenders on the First Coast. She can defend on the wing and obviously inside the paint. Milton is an aggressive shot blocker. She has the ability to lead the First Coast in blocked shots next season <img class=" wp-image-323463 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/20201114_193810-scaled-crop-1244x817-1630823859-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="201" height="132" />[player_tooltip player_id="91660" first="Fantasia" last="James"] (FGB, Oakleaf). James is one of the top shot blockers around. As a Freshman, James averaged 2.7 blocks per game and she averaged 3.4 blocks per game as a Sophomore. As a Junior, James took on a different role and flourished in it. She still recorded 1.3 blocked shots per game and also averaged 2.1 steals per game. James still has an amazing 2.6 blocks per game for her high school career. James can defend on the outside as well as on the inside and if you bring it in the paint soft, she’s going to send it out of there in a hurry. <img class="wp-image-331264 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/118-Nia-Blocton.jpg" alt="" width="260" height="173" />[player_tooltip player_id="331713" first="Nia" last="Blocton"] 2024 C (MHD Elite, Ridgeview) At 6’2" Blocton is probably one of the best "in the paint" shot blockers on the First Coast, and she is in the discussion for one of the top shot blockers in the State of Florida. This 2024 center/power forward does not play around in the paint. She can block a shot, grab the loose ball, and take it back and score on you as well. In 2 seasons, Blocton has averaged nearly 1.5 blocks per game. Blocton has also performed other masterpieces in the paint - she averaged nearly 14 rebounds per game as a Sophomore and 16.2 rebounds per game as a Freshman. She is a force in the middle. Enter the paint at your own risk. [player_tooltip player_id="400786" first="Imani" last="Henderson"] 2026 (ECU ) Henderson is a 6’1 forward in the class of 2026. Her length and jumping ability set her apart from a lot of 2026 players. She has impeccable timing on her blocked shots and could be the second coming of Nia Brown. Blocking shots and rebounding the ball are true attributes for Henderson. In one tournament, the soon-to-be Freshman averaged 8pts per game, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks per game. She is going to be a player to watch at the high school level. <img class=" wp-image-323543 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/20201128_175029-scaled-crop-1244x817-1630860848-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="273" height="179" />[player_tooltip player_id="349326" first="Nykeria" last="Thomas"] 2024 (Mandarin) is one of the best shot-blocking guards around. She is at her defensive best when getting back on transition and defending guards who are attempting to finish a fast break. Thomas has great timing on blocking layups. [player_tooltip player_id="91656" first="Aja" last="Pollard"] 2023 G, SF (Bartram) is also one of the best shot-blocking guards on the First Coast. Usually, Pollard’s blocks occur when defending fast breaks. She uses her athleticism and a great vertical jump to block shots. [player_tooltip player_id="221650" first="Kaedynce" last="Jones"] 2024 (ECU, Ribault) is going to be a name to remember. Already 6’2, Jones has some serious "hops" and impeccable timing on blocking shots. This past AAU season, Jones blocked a shot 5 feet away from the shooter and literally grabbed the shot out of the air. She has that type of ability, and she is primed to be amongst the leaders in blocked shots this upcoming season. <img class=" wp-image-412501 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/IMG_0575-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="145" height="193" /> [player_tooltip player_id="352604" first="Xaniya" last="Jackson"] 2023, 6’0" C (Lady OTOD , Andrew Jackson). Jackson is an enforcer in the paint. Last season she averaged 1.6 blocks per game which was very respectable. What’s really impressive about Jackson is the attitude and confidence she plays with. There is no one stronger in the paint and after a rebound than Jackson. She also saved a lot of her best performances when going against other top players. She was a standout against Oakleaf and Sandalwood last season. Look for more of the same during the college live period and this upcoming basketball season. </div> </article></main></section></div> </div>