2018 NBA Draft: 5 best perimeter defenders available

1. Jevon Carter (West Virginia)

No one player in college basketball had a bigger defensive impact than West Virginia’s point guard, Jevon Carter. Bob Huggins “Press Virginia” defensive system was built mostly on the back of Carter’s ability to harass opposing guards to no end. The story of how Huggins found Carter on the recruiting trail — he was the lone player who defended full-court at an early morning AAU game — is the perfect example of the type of defensive presence and energy that Carter brings night-in and night-out.

Oklahoma’s Trae Young dominated at will for most of his freshman season, however, when matched up against Carter, Young shot 42.8 percent from the field (18-of-42), 31.8 percent on 3-pointers (7-of-22), and averaged seven turnovers per game. Carter was relentless no matter who took the court against him, but being able to shut down one of the premier guards in the nation speaks to how refined Carter’s skills are on the defensive end of the floor.

Carter’s abilities on the offensive end have progressed during his four years under Huggins and he has a respectable outside shot (though he often opts to shoot dreaded long twos instead of three-pointers). His IQ as a defensive ace help him to take care of the ball offensively as he finished with a 2.1:1 assists to turnover ratio for his career and as high as 2.5:1 during his senior season.

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The name that often gets tossed around whenever Carter’s NBA future is brought up is Los Angeles Clippers guard, Patrick Beverley. Beverley made a name for himself due to the consistent ball pressure he put on every player he matched up against. However, Carter is a more ready-made prospect than Beverley at the same stage of their careers. Whether it’s as a change of pace backup, or as a defense-first starter next to a wing primary ball handler, there’s definitely a spot on an NBA roster next year for Carter.