HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

As we have seen over the past week or so with LeBron James in the NBA Finals, too often a player’s stat line is used to evaluate talent rather than a player’s impact on the game.  The ability to shut down opposing players on the defensive end of the floor is typically an overlooked commodity in the eyes of fans, but most college players will have to earn their playing time, at least early in their careers, by showing the ability to guard.  Here are, in alphabetical order, the top five defensive players in the 2011 NBA Draft. 

Bismack Biyombo, PF/C, Congo, 6-9, 240 lbs.
A relative unknown coming into this season, Bismack Biyombo has done more for his draft stock than any other player in this draft over the past 12 months.  A freak athlete with an NBA-ready body, Biyombo has put together a terrific, albeit short, resume which has made him a likely top-10 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. 

This season, while playing for Baloncesto Fuenlabrada in the Spanish ACB League (the top league in the world outside of the NBA), the 18-year-old big man immediately made his presence felt, leading the league in blocked shots, 2.3 per game, despite playing just 17 minutes per contest. 

His abilities don’t stop there, however.  Biyombo plays with great intensity on every possession and is a competitor in the truest sense of the word.  His 7-7 wingspan (you read that correctly), non-stop motor, outstanding strength and explosive leaping ability combine to make the Congolese big man a presence as on the ball defender, a weakside shot-blocker and on the glass. 

Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego State, 6-7, 227 lbs.
After bursting onto the radar of NBA teams during a surprising freshman campaign at San Diego State, Kawhi Leonard solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in the country and a surefire lottery pick this season for the Aztecs.

Despite being a deft ball-handler and slick passer, Leonard earns his keep on the defensive end of the of the court, where he uses his long (7-3 wing span), sturdy frame, tremendous athleticism and huge, quick hands to pester opposing players at multiple positions. 

Leonard is a tireless worker on the defensive end of the floor, fighting through screens while showing the ability to switch and defend any the two, three or four spots.  He ranked amongst the best rebounders in the country this year, using his nose for the ball, extremely high energy level and ability to get off the floor, particularly on his second jump, quickly.

DeAndre Liggins, SG/SF, Kentucky, 6-6, 202 lbs.
Once considered one of the top players in his high school class, DeAndre Liggins transitioned from hopeful star to tremendous role player during his three-year career at the University of Kentucky. 

{AUTHOR_BOX}The one-time point guard showed maturity in taking a back-seat to top recruits John Wall and Brandon Knight over the past two seasons and, rather than sulking, became an integral piece in Coach John Calipari’s Final Four puzzle in 2011.  The 6-6 swingman became Kentucky’s defensive stopper, defending the opponent’s top perimeter player night in and night out as junior, a major upgrade from the season prior. 

Long and muscular, Liggins plays the passing lanes well to create turnovers (which regularly turn in to transition opportunities) and, as he has continued to embrace his role as a defensive stopper, has developed into multi-positional defensive presence, capable of guarding point guards, shooting guards and small forwards.

David Lighty, SG/SF, Ohio State, 6-6, 216 lbs.
David Lighty, a fifth-year senior out of Ohio State, has made his mark on the collegiate game by becoming the ultimate role player for the Buckeyes while playing alongside seven (if you include Jared Sullinger) first-round draft picks. 

The experience and savvy Lighty possesses will go a long way toward making him capable of immediately contributing at the NBA level.  The 6-6 swingman is capable of guarding at least two positions (shooting guard and small forward) at the NBA level, and possibly more depending on match-ups.

Not exceptionally quick laterally, Lighty does a tremendous job of staying in front of his opponent with his high basketball I.Q., understanding of angles and consistent energy and effort on the defensive end of the floor. 

Chris Singleton, SF/PF, Florida State, 6-9, 230 lbs.
One of the best defensive players in the country over the past three seasons, Florida State junior Chris Singleton is one of the rare players that has shown the ability to defend every position, from one to five, on the basketball floor.

Singleton can simply do it all on the defensive end of the floor, gobbling up steals and rebounds like the Cookie Monster in front of a bag of Oreos, while proving to be one of the best shot-blockers in the country. 

Equally effective on the ball or off, the 6-9 defensive dynamo can play the passing lanes, block shots from the weak side, defend the post and stay in front of perimeter players.  He is the most versatile defensive player in this class, even defending point guards as part of the USA Men’s Select Team, which trained with the USA Men’s National Team in Las Vegas last July. 

Honorable Mention:  Jimmy Butler, SF, Marquette; Nolan Smith, PG/SG, Duke; Iman Shumpert, PG/SG, Georgia Tech; Malcolm Lee, PG, UCLA

Luke Byrnes cover NCAA Men’s Basketball and the NBA for HOOPSWORLD.  You can follow him Twitter or drop him a question in his weekly chat.