Holiday Break Check-In: Top 10 3A Shot Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1324979' first='Cole' last='White'] (Clarke) - 3.1 blocks per game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-7 forward, White is enjoying a breakout junior year, averaging 13.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and shooting nearly 66% from the floor. He's strong, mobile, and has great timing as a shot blocker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2023 Carson Rhodes (Nevada) - 2.9</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cubs are off to an excellent 8-1 start, and Rhodes' rim protection is a big part of that. One of two Nevada players on this top 10, the 6-7 big man has provided a ton of value as a rim protector and rebounder, pulling down over nine rebounds a game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2023 Cole Plowman (Newton) - 2.8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong, physically imposing 6-5 big man, Plowman looks like your prototypical left tackle, and he uses that strength to his advantage on both ends of the floor, averaging 13.5 points and 7.7 rebounds on 61% shooting. He's really difficult to move on the defensive end, holding his ground and staying vertical to contest and block shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511505' first='Kaiden' last='Smith'] (Knoxville) - 2.0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The young Panthers are off to a strong 6-1 start, and the 6-6 sophomore is a big reason why, providing some much-needed size and length in the painted area for a guard-heavy team. He's not a major scorer (6.4 a game), but he's efficient when he's given the chance, shooting 69% from the floor, and has been stellar on the offensive glass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2024 Jacob Khounsourath (Nevada) - 2.0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other Cub on the top 10, Khounsourath is an athletic 6-1 guard who does a little bit of everything for Nevada, leading them in scoring (19.9) and assists (3.4) in addition to the major impact that he has made on the defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.) 2024 John Beswick (West Delaware) - 2.0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-4 junior isn't a major offensive threat for the Hawks, averaging 5.8 points a game, which ranks sixth on the team, but he has provided a ton of value as a rebounder (6.3 a game, tops on the team) and as a rim protector. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1288920' first='Kanyon' last='Bryte'] (Western Dubuque) - 1.6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big, physical 6-5 forward, Bryte has been outstanding on the offensive glass for the Bobcats, pulling down 4.3 offensive boards a game, helping a team that doesn't shoot it well get some extra possessions. He does a good job contesting without fouling on the defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1288863' first='Jaxson' last='Fried'] (Bondurant-Farrar) - 1.5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fried is an important piece for a Bluejays team that we currently have ranked #2 in the class, a long, athletic 6-6 wing who can score from all three levels, create for others, and impact the game defensively. He's a perimeter player who uses his length effectively on the defensive end, making life difficult for opposing wing scorers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1167688' first='Max' last='Weaton'] (Fairfield) - 1.5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bouncy, athletic 6-6 forward who holds some preferred walk-on football offers from Northern Iowa and Indiana, Weaton uses his size and athleticism to dominate on the hardwood as well, averaging 19 points and 12.6 rebounds in addition to his ability to protect the rim. He's a mobile, switchable defender who would have a solid future in basketball if he chose to pursue that route as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.) 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1367401' first='Jaime' last='Grossoehme'] (Webster City) - 1.4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long, lanky wing who is also one of the state's elite shooting threats, Grossoehme is a perimeter player who does a great job using his length on the defensive end, contesting shots and getting into passing lanes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->