The Great Western Summer Classic is one of the premier grassroots events in the Western Region. The 4-day showcase event began on Wednesday, June 8th, and concluded on Saturday, June 11th. The event, hosted by recruiting legend Tim Davis, took…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inThe Great Western Summer Classic is one of the premier grassroots events in the Western Region. The 4-day showcase event began on Wednesday, June 8th, and concluded on Saturday, June 11th. The event, hosted by recruiting legend Tim Davis, took place at various high school gyms in the Salt Lake area and featured boys and girls teams from around the Western Region with age groups ranging from 3rd grade through high school varsity. The event featured several guys with the ability to D up. In this article, we take a look at our top Lock Down defenders from the event.
Jack Layton 5’7 PF Phoenix 2028 – Layton had a couple of skills, but he was one of the better rim protectors I saw. The long big man moves his feet relatively well and managed to stay in front of smaller guards. He has good timing and showed the willingness to aggressively go after shots. His length allowed him to alter shots and he highlighted his impeccable timing by blocking a few shots in the game I saw.
Emerson Lock 5’4 SF Phoenix 2028 – Lock was one of the most versatile defenders at the event. The lefty was a pest when defending on the ball, showing tenacious effort and quick hands. His quickness and IQ were also apparent in his ability to play in the passing lanes. The savy wing showed good instincts, jumping passing lanes, and turning defense into offense in the game I saw.
Trey Price PG Salt Lake Rebels 2029 – Despite being one of the younger players at the event, Price had one of the sharpest IQs. He got a few steals in help defense, showing the ability to jump passing lanes. He displayed good lateral quickness along with quick hands. Price was a defensive pest, who combines good physical skills with high energy and effort.
Griffin Carmach 5’0 PG Davis 2028 – There are players that are willing to play defense and players that love to play defense, and Carmach falls into the latter. The PG has active feet and did a good job of relentlessly challenging opposing ballhandlers. The ballhawk was aggressive regardless of his team being in man-to-man or zone.
Syvon Thomas 5’6 PG Utah Premiere 2026 (featured image) – Thomas is a physically gifted guard who showed the ability to dominate opposing ballhandlers. He has speed and quickness and was able to either stay in front of or straight up snatch the ball away from opponents. His physical skills allowed him to quickly turn defense into offense when he was in the passing lanes.
Gabe Hansen PG Moutain City 2029 – Mountain City implored a zone concept, however that didn’t stop Hansen from being a pest. The lefty guard played the role of a pickpocket and was all over the place. He showed some quick hands, and good timing, creating turnovers with his thievery.
Tua Itaahu PG Club Dub – I wasn’t able to get an accurate year on Itaahu, but he was either 2029 or 2030. What I can be certain of is the fact that the guard was a defensive terror. He picked the pockets of a couple of players in the game I saw. Itaahu is an aggressive ball hawk type of defender who got a ton of on-ball steals.
