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

With teams on a hiatus during the holiday break, let's check in on the statistical leaders in each category in each class to get a better feel for who some of the most productive players in the state have been so far this season. Leaders for this article are from whatever has been input into Bound as of 12/26 at 10:30 am.   1.) 2026 Cael LaFrentz (Decorah) - 21 blocks   The young son of Raef LaFrentz has been really good to start the season for the Vikings, the #1 team in 3A. A mobile 6-10 big man, he rotates well and is a really good help defender with great timing as a shot blocker. He does a good job staying vertical and using his size advantage to block shots without fouling. He's averaging 13.5 points and 10.6 rebounds in addition to his rim protection.   2.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765535' first='John' last='Nelson'] (Nevada) - 20   Nelson was a really nice role player for the Cubs as a freshman last season, and he has taken a major step forward as a sophomore, leading the team in scoring, averaging 14.9 points a game. He's also chipping in 7.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and protecting the paint for this group defensively, allowing their guards to play a bit more aggressively on the perimeter.   3.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511523' first='Dayton' last='Lamar'] (Fort Madison) - 18   A strong 6-5 forward, Lamar has been solid for the Bloodhounds to open the year, averaging 8.3 points and 5.5 rebounds while controlling the paint defensively. He's an efficient scorer, shooting 57% from the floor.   4.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978100' first='Jaxon' last='Clark'] (Keokuk) - 17   It's too bad that Clark is buried down in southeast Iowa, because he's having a sensational sophomore season and most people don't know about it. An intriguing 6-7/6-8 prospect who is still pretty raw, he's averaging 21.6 points and 12.3 rebounds a game while playing solid defense in the paint.   5.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765515' first='Jaidyn' last='Coon'] (Storm Lake) - 15   Coon is one of the better players in the state in the 2026 class, a bouncy, athletic forward who can stretch the floor, handle it, pass it, and defend multiple positions. He's a really, really good athlete with an explosive second jump that he uses to not only control the glass, but to also alter multiple shots on any given possession. He's averaging 18.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.4 steals a game for the Tornadoes.   6.) 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1751186' first='Landon' last='Schroeder'] (Central DeWitt) - 15   A mobile 6-7 forward who is having a strong senior year on both ends, Schroeder is putting up 13.1 points and 5.8 rebounds a night for the Sabers while also serving as the team's top rim protector. He's extremely efficient, shooting 67% from the floor, as well.   7.) 2024 Jace Larson (Webster City) - 14   Larson, a 6-5 forward, didn't play varsity ball last year for the Lynx, but he has been excellent on both ends of the floor this season, leading the team in scoring (12.5 points per game), rebounding (9.2), and protecting the paint for them defensively. Oh, and he's shooting nearly 78% from the floor.   8.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511505' first='Kaiden' last='Smith'] (Knoxville) - 14   A 6-6 combo forward who provides a lot of versatility on the defensive end for the Panthers, Smith can defend multiple positions, holding his own when switched onto smaller ball-handlers and protecting the paint at a high level. He has great length and is an impressive athlete averaging 5.3 points and 4.6 rebounds a game to go with his 2.0 blocks.   9.) 2025 Keagan Jackson (West Delaware) - 14   The Hawks are winless so far this season, but the 6-5 Jackson has been a solid player on both ends, averaging 7.3 points and 2.4 rebounds while shooting nearly 41% from behind the arc. West Delaware is a young team, with four juniors leading the team in scoring, so this is a building year for them, and Jackson is a significant part of that movement.   10.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288887' first='Will' last='Richardson'] (Wahlert) - 13   An intriguing young 6-6 combo forward, Richardson isn't doing much offensively for the Golden Eagles so far this season (3.4 points per game), but he provides good value on the defensive end with his combination of length, athleticism, and shot blocking.

With teams on a hiatus during the holiday break, let's check in on the statistical leaders in each category in each class to get a better feel for who some of the most productive players in the state have been so far this season. Leaders for this article are from whatever has been input into Bound as of 12/26 at 10:30 am.