D1 Circuit – Ivan Rabb Voted Top EYBL Defensive Player of the Year

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The fans have spoken, and Oakland Soldiers center Ivan Rabb was the overwhelming choice for the D1 Circuit Defensive Player of the Year award.

The 2015 big man swatted and rebounded his way through the 2013 Elite Youth Basketball League competition and garnered two of three crucial votes from the D1 Circuit writers to walk away with the award.

Here’s how the voting broke down.

Alec Kinsky – Ivan Rabb | C | Oakland Soldiers 

All were worthy candidates, but I’m glad to see I have the support of the fans on this one, because I feel this was somewhat of a no brainer.

The highly-touted big man missed the Minneapolis Session due to academic commitments, but he was exceptional in the 13 games he played. Already a gifted shot-blocker, his rebounding may be the strongest asset of his game and will only get better as he adds weight to his frame.

Boo Williams‘ Thon Maker certainly makes a strong case for the award, but I couldn’t look past the rebounding differential. One can assume that Rabb would have been neck and neck with Maker for the lead in blocks, and he should continue his paint domination into the Peach Jam.

Jonah Steinmeyer – Theo Pinson | SF | CP3 All-Stars

It’s a shame that Theo Pinson has to grow older for the CP3 All-Stars’ sake.

Pinson has been the backbone of their defense for the past two seasons, and in a very big way. With the ability to guard three different positions, Pinson has taken the word versatility to a whole new level.

This season he was second in the EYBL in steals with 2.3 steals per game and 41 steals in total.

Although Pinson is not the longest nor tallest wing, he managed 1.3 blocks per game. That production paired with his overall intensity gives Pinson my nod for the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year.
Owen Kinsky – Ivan Rabb | C | Oakland Soldiers
Rabb was in many ways the most impressive defensive player in the EYBL this season.

Playing 27.2 minutes per game, Rabb was able to provide the Oakland Soldiers with nearly a full game of his defensive prowess. Rabb was only in true foul trouble in one game this season, indicating he has learned how to maintain solid defense while also staying out of foul trouble. Both Thon Maker and Chris Egi struggled more with fouling.

Rabb was the regular season blocks per game leader, grabbed an outstanding 7.4 rebounds per game, had at least a block in every game, and in six of his 13 games he blocked four shots or more. He capped off the season by averaging 4.1 blocks per game in his final eight contests, swatting at least three shots in each of those games.

He will definitely be someone to gameplan around come the Peach Jam.

Fan Vote – Ivan Rabb
Ivan Rabb – 1586 votes
Chris Egi – 940 votes
Theo Pinson – 509 votes
Tyus Jones  – 120 votes
Thon Maker – 24 votes