Angelina De Leon was the centerpiece of a defensive clinic for Hope International, earning GSAC Women’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Week honors following a lopsided win over Park-Gilbert. The junior guard from Spring Valley, California, played a crucial role in holding the Buccaneers to just 34 points in a 65-34 victory, one of the most stifling defensive performances of the season. Hope International limited Park-Gilbert to 0-for-25 shooting from three-point range until a late basket broke the drought.
De Leon finished the game with a career-best three blocked shots while tying her career highs with nine rebounds and four steals. Seven of her nine rebounds came on the defensive end, underscoring her activity and awareness on that side of the floor. Her ability to defend multiple areas of the court and disrupt offensive rhythm was instrumental in Hope International’s dominant win and secured her recognition as the conference’s top defensive performer of the week.