Class 3A: Top 10 Returning Shot Blockers
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1.) 2024 Cole White Cole White 6'6" | C Clarke | 2024 State IA (Clarke) – 56 blocks One of two Clarke players on this list, White is a long, lanky 6-7 shot blocker who runs the floor and blocks…
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Continue Reading1.) 2024 Cole White Cole White 6'6" | C Clarke | 2024 State IA (Clarke) – 56 blocks
One of two Clarke players on this list, White is a long, lanky 6-7 shot blocker who runs the floor and blocks shots at a high clip. The Indians are able to play aggressively on the perimeter and funnel ball-handlers into the paint, where they know White is waiting to turn away shots.
2.) 2024 John Beswick (West Delaware) – 35
A strong, physical 6-4 forward, Beswick provides the Hawks with some needed size and strength in the paint. He averaged 5.6 points and 6.7 rebounds a game as a junior and will step into a much larger role as a senior following a number of graduations.
3.) 2024 Jacob Khounsourath Jacob Khounsourath 6'1" | SG Nevada | 2024 State IA (Nevada) – 33
A 6-1 guard who does a great job contesting shots on the perimeter, Khounsourath is the rare perimeter player on this list. He’s a bouncy athlete who does a great job staying in front of his man and contesting their shot, making it difficult for opposing players to score against him on the perimeter.
4.) 2024 Kanyon Bryte Kanyon Bryte 6'8" | C Western Dubuque | 2024 State IA (Western Dubuque) – 32
A 6-5/6-6 mobile big man, Bryte is a switchable defender who can hold his own out on the perimeter against smaller guards, and he has the size, instincts, and timing to be a strong rim protector against bigger bodies as well. He averaged 13.9 points and 7.7 rebounds a game as a junior and is coming off a really good summer with Iowa Prep .
5.) 2025 Ben Helmers Ben Helmers 6'4" | PG Algona | 2025 State IA (Algona) – 31
An athletic 6-4 guard with great size and quickness, Helmers is a versatile defender and all-around weapon who can do a little bit of everything on both ends for the Bulldogs. He does a great job moving his feet and contesting shots on the perimeter, using his length to bother opposing players. He averaged 18.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.1 steals a game as a sophomore.
6.) 2024 Jack Cooley Jack Cooley 6'5" | PF Clarke | 2024 State IA (Clarke) – 30
Another top-10 returnees list, another Cooley appearance. The bouncy 6-5 wing has a knack for turning away shots. He’s really good as a help defender, seemingly coming out of nowhere to block shots around the rim.
7.) 2024 Nate Stroud (Mount Pleasant) – 30
Stroud will enter the 2024 rankings when those are updated in September following a solid summer with Iowa Prep Red. He’s a 6-5 forward who is a switchable defender. He uses his athleticism and length to contest shots and control the glass, and he showed a little bit of floor stretching ability during the summer.
8.) 2025 Kaiden Smith (Knoxville) – 28
Smith is an intriguing long-term prospect who jumped out when I watched Knoxville play in June at the Winterset Shootout. He’s a long, athletic 6-6/6-7 combo forward who covers a ton of ground. He’s raw on both ends of the floor, but with his tools, he has a chance to be a high-impact two-way player for the Panthers.
9.) 2026 John Nelson John Nelson 6'4" | PF Nevada | 2026 State IA (Nevada) – 28
Nelson was really good as a freshman rim protector, averaging over one block a night while also providing the Cubs with some interior scoring (8.4 points) and rebounding (6.2). He’s a good athlete with some bounce and great timing as a shot blocker.
10.) 2024 Dylan Litzel Dylan Litzel 6'4" | PF Clear Lake | 2024 State IA (Clear Lake) – 26
Litzel isn’t a big scoring threat, averaging just 4.8 points a game, but he provides some major defensive value off the bench for the Lions. He will likely step into the starting lineup this season, providing them with some size and rebounding alongside standout forward Thomas Meyer Thomas Meyer 6'4" | SF Clear Lake | 2025 State IA .