Best defensive player ever @ UConn and then in the NBA

[WeAreUCONN]

I watch every Spurs game and Castle is continually improving his on ball defense. Last night, Castle, with the help of Wemby, held Cade Cunningham to 5 of 26 from the floor. Cade was so annoyed at one point, he blatantly shoved Castle to the floor and then stood over him. Castle’s teammate then pushed Cade away from Castle and the teams had to be separated. The Spurs went into Detroit and beat them easily even though Detroit tried to physically intimidate Castle and Wemby.

Is Castle the best on ball defender UConn has ever had? Caron was very good. Not sure who else would be in contention.

 

[AdamaNation]

Emeka despite injuries was very solid in the league.

 

[WeAreUCONN]

Emeka despite injuries was very solid in the league.

I wasn’t really thinking of big men so I didn’t include Emeka. Mainly talking about guards or small forwards.

 

[WeAreUCONN]

Castle’s defense on Cade.


Cade shoving Castle to the floor.

 

[businesslawyer]

Ricky Moore his senior year had the best year a UConn defensive player has ever had and it isn’t close. (And I agree — leave centers out because it’s totally different.). Had Castle played multiple years here I have no reason to doubt he would have reached that level, but he didn’t.

 

[InKembaITrust]

Andre Jackson's no scrub either.

 

[RuffRuff]

Probably need categories here. Non centers and centers, and maybe a top 5 list.

1) Clingan
2) Okafor
3) Thabeet


1) Castle
2) Moore
3) AJX
4) Burrell
5) Depriest

 

[Jaydumo20]

Not saying he was the best, but Hilton Armstrong was a very good defender. Had a 5-6 yr nba career. A very underrated Husky in my opinion and someone who wouldve been a great piece on this year's team.

 

[2014DualCs]

Idk why I have to reiterate that Emeka Okafor was a better defensive center than Donovan Clingan

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Ricky Moore his senior year had the best year a UConn defensive player has ever had and it isn’t close. (And I agree — leave centers out because it’s totally different.). Had Castle played multiple years here I have no reason to doubt he would have reached that level, but he didn’t.

Castle gets bumped up a bit in my eyes because of the run he had in the tournament, not necessarily his full season of work. Not sure we’ve ever seen an on-ball defensive stretch that dominant from anyone in a Husky uniform. I’ve gone back and watched those games a few times just to watch him absolutely erase the opposing team’s best scorer every single game. What he did as a freshman to TSJ was nothing short of unbelievable.

 

[RuffRuff]

Idk why I have to reiterate that Emeka Okafor was a better defensive center than Donovan Clingan

Eye of the beholder

No one will ever convince me of that. You can’t compare a 6 10 guy to a 7 2 guy. You also can’t go by blocks because they don’t account for all shots in the paint that never happen because of one’s presence.

 

[superjohn]

Probably need categories here. Non centers and centers, and maybe a top 5 list.

1) Clingan
2) Okafor
3) Thabeet


1) Castle
2) Moore
3) AJX
4) Burrell
5) Depriest

That's what my list looks like too.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Idk why I have to reiterate that Emeka Okafor was a better defensive center than Donovan Clingan

Emeka was a really good defensive player. We’ve never had a player who’s had a bigger impact on our defense than Clingan. Honestly, I’m not sure anyone’s ever had as big an impact on both ends of the floor in terms of how he allowed us to play.

 

[2014DualCs]

Emeka was a really good defensive player. We’ve never had a player who’s had a bigger impact on our defense than Clingan. Honestly, I’m not sure anyone’s ever had as big an impact on both ends of the floor in terms of how he allowed us to play.

Eye of the beholder

No one will ever convince me of that. You can’t compare a 6 10 guy to a 7 2 guy. You also can’t go by blocks because they don’t account for all shots in the paint that never happen because of one’s presence.

We’re spoiled and arguing tomato/tomáto but we’re acting like Emeka didn’t do the same thing (in terms of scaring people out of the paint), but have numbers to back it up and able to play more minutes.

Clingan didn’t even win BEDPOY or DPOY. Emeka won them both twice.

 

[HooperScooper]

Not saying he was the best, but Hilton Armstrong was a very good defender. Had a 5-6 yr nba career. A very underrated Husky in my opinion and someone who wouldve been a great piece on this year's team.

Isn't it tough for a C or PF to be a great on ball defender though? The Cs and PFs they're guarding don't handle the ball that much.

 

[RuffRuff]

We’re spoiled and arguing tomato/tomáto but we’re acting like Emeka didn’t do the same thing (in terms of scaring people out of the paint), but have numbers to back it up and able to play more minutes.

Clingan didn’t even win BEDPOY or DPOY. Emeka won them both twice.

If you want to argue who was the better all around player (offense), I won’t argue it was Emeka. Defensively I honestly don’t even think they compare. Clingan’s value on 23 team is a large part of their success.

Cling had Kalk in front of him who was a great defender himself and his usage was nuts for a 5.

Cling has one of the highest PER since it’s been tracked, and it wasn’t for his offense.

 

[KembaRunner]

Boatright was a nasty defender who shut down three straight top NCAA guards on our way to the championship. MSU, UF and UK. Crushed them.

 

[HW611]

Ryan Boatright truther here for guards.

The way he picked up full court and snatched the ball away from guys was incredible.

 

[RuffRuff]

Burrell was so good at the steal, averaged 3.6 a game his sophomore year. That is a crazy stat. This was of course back in the day when Calhoun ran the press. That was a really fun period in UConn history. The press was such a 90s thing - the Razorbacks, UK/Pitino, UNLV. LMM. You just can't do it today given how good ball handling has gotten.

 

[Jaydumo20]

Isn't it tough for a C or PF to be a great on ball defender though? The Cs and PFs they're guarding don't handle the ball that much.

Ha. Yeah. I read the OP and then scrolling responses i lost sight of the "on ball" thing. He was very agile and rangey for a big though

 

[Travelman6]

Emeka despite injuries was very solid in the league.

He had a good career (12 ppg, 9.7 rpg, and 1.6 bpg for example), but like Kemba, was hampered by injuries for years, especially later in his career. He was an Olympian in 2004, I think people forget. So early in his career, he showed flashes of brilliance. Like Kemba, I wonder what could have been. Had he played from 2013-14 until 2016-17 I think we'd be looking at him differently. But even so, still solid.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Not saying he was the best, but Hilton Armstrong was a very good defender. Had a 5-6 yr nba career. A very underrated Husky in my opinion and someone who wouldve been a great piece on this year's team.

Hilton Armstrong was part of a long-line of UConn bigs that bided their time, but then had standout senior seasons. Armstrong, Gavin, Whaley, Samson, Facey, Okwandu, Nolan.

Those type of guys are the easiest to root for. Nothing handed to them, but worked their butts off to become key members as upperclassmen.

 

[jpeakin]

I always think of Nadav as a “what if”

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Ryan Boatright truther here for guards.

The way he picked up full court and snatched the ball away from guys was incredible.

Boatright’s defensive reputation comes almost entirely from the tournament run in ‘14. Which is cool, he was locked in. But there was plenty of consternation about his inconsistent defense during the course of that season.

 

[Spaceman213J]

I love the Okafor/Clingan debate. Even though they are both bigs and played the same position, they are very different. Just the sight of Clingan was a deterrent. Okafor was the best I've seen at UConn for timing and using his athleticism to block shots.
I would think it might depend on who they have to defend. If it is another huge center like Eddy, I'd want DC for sure. He is excellent at walling up and making the guy shoot over him. I loved watching guys lower the shoulder to attempt to make space and DC didn't give an inch. (Not saying he's in their category, but Sanogo was the same way). I also think Eddy would have had trouble against an Okafor because his legs would have gone sooner in the game with the way Okafor got up and down the floor. I know we're talking about defense, but Okafor's combination of skills plus his conditioning could wear guys down.

I love watching Castle play defense. Even when a guy gets a step on him, he knows how to take away the passing angle and trusts Wemby or whoever will step up. If there is a chance to switch back underneath, he does so. He and Wemby have a great feel for each other on both ends of the court. They're already a contender, ahead of schedule with some draft picks still to come. If they ever hit on a another pick, the rest of the NBA is going to be in some real trouble (might be already). Castle and Wemby just turned 21 and 22 years old.