Class 3A Leading Returning Shot Blockers
1.) 2023 Carson Rhodes (Nevada) – 64 blocks A big (6-7), physical (245 pounds) forward, Rhodes has committed to play football at Iowa State, but he uses his size, physicality, and athleticism to control the game defensively on the hardwood…
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Continue Reading1.) 2023 Carson Rhodes (Nevada) – 64 blocks
A big (6-7), physical (245 pounds) forward, Rhodes has committed to play football at Iowa State, but he uses his size, physicality, and athleticism to control the game defensively on the hardwood for the Cubs.
2.) 2024 Jack Cooley Jack Cooley 6'5" | PF Clarke | 2024 State IA (Clarke) – 41
The skilled and versatile 6-5 wing has found himself on a number of these top 10 lists, which is a testament to just how much he’s able to impact the game on both ends of the floor for the Indians. A long wing who can contest shots on the perimeter or bump down into the paint and bang against the bigger bodies, he provides a lot of options for Clarke on the defensive end.
3.) 2023 Cole Plowman (Newton) – 41
Plowman started less than half of the Cardinals games last season but was still able to block nearly two shots a game as a junior. He’s a big piece on both ends of the floor for a Newton team that could be among the most improved in the class.
4.) 2023 Nolan Berendes Nolan Berendes 6'4" | SF Wahlert Catholic | 2023 State IA (Wahlert Catholic) – 39
One of two Golden Eagles on this top 10 list, Berendes is a 6-4 wing who uses his length to alter shots on the perimeter. He can occasionally bump down into the paint and handle bigger bodies as well.
5.) 2024 Cole White Cole White 6'6" | C Clarke | 2024 State IA (Clarke) – 35
Another Clarke junior on this top-10, White and Cooley are huge pieces of a really good 2024 Indians class. He has good size at 6-6, is mobile, and has good hands.
6.) 2023 Nhial Manuel (Denison-Schleswig) – 29
A long and bouncy 6-7 forward, Manuel isn’t much of an offensive threat (2.7 points a game as a junior), but he provides some rim protection off the bench for the Monarchs.
7.) 2023 Max Weaton Max Weaton 6'6" | PF Fairfield | 2023 State IA (Fairfield) – 28
A mobile 6-6 big man who has found himself on a number of these top 10 lists, Weaton does a great job using his size, athleticism, and length to defend the paint as well as switch onto smaller players on the perimeter.
8.) 2023 Seamus Crahan Seamus Crahan 6'6" | SF Wahlert Catholic | 2023 State IA (Wahlert Catholic) – 24
Another 6-4, long wing for Wahlert who does a good job contesting shots on the perimeter, Crahan is a major piece of a Golden Eagles team that could be one of the best defensive teams in the class this season.
9.) 2023 Jaxson Fried Jaxson Fried 6'6" | SF Bondurant- Farrar | 2023 State IA (Bondurant-Farrar) – 21
A long, 6-4 wing, Fried does most of his work defensively on the perimeter, but with his length, he does a great job contesting jump shots and making life difficult for opposing shooters, trying to shoot over his size. He also averaged 13.1 points with 51-38-76 shooting splits as a junior.
10.) 2024 Evan Hammer Evan Hammer 6'4" | PF Carroll | 2024 State IA (Carroll) – 20
A strong and physical 6-4 forward, Hammer led the Tigers in rebounding (6.2) and was a reliable finisher around the bucket (7.6) as a sophomore in addition to his ability to protect the paint.