Presence In The Paint: Top Returning Shot Blockers for 2024-25

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shot blocking, especially without fouling and keeping the ball in play, is an important skill in basketball. Typically, teams that dominate in the paint win most of their games. Here are some of the top shot blockers returning in 2024-25:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kamren Apodaca, Tucumcari</strong>: The 6-foot-4 Apodaca averaged 2.7 blocks and 9.0 rebounds per game as a sophomore in 2023-24. The Rattlers have some impressive talent returning in 2024-25, so they could enjoy a big season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2300007' first='Malakhai' last='Ely'], Taos</strong>: Ely, a 6-foot-3 junior, averaged 2.0 blocks per game for the Tigers in 2023-24. He also averaged 4.5 rebounds per game, so Ely has a strong presence around the rim. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jonathon Gonzales, West Las Vegas</strong>: With a 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame, Gonzales knows how to be active &nbsp;in the paint. He averaged 1.8 blocks and 7.5 rebounds per game for the Dons.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Parker Henderson, Hobbs</strong>: The 7-footer averaged close to 2 blocks per game for the Eagles last season. He is currently attending the prestigious College Basketball Academy in Rock Hill, SC, a suburb of Charlotte. Henderson could become the best paint protector in NM this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eric Hofmann, East Mountain</strong>: As a freshman last season, Hofman averaged 2.0 blocks per game for the Timberwolves. He also averaged 8.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He is a promising young player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1276352' first='Mason' last='Howell'], Sandia</strong>: The 6-foot-9 Howell averaged 2.9 blocks per game in 2023-24 and was one of the few players to have more blocks (84) than fouls (74) during the season. With many key players returning, Sandia appears set for a big season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2373620' first='Patrick' last='Kimbrell'], Ruidoso</strong>: In 26 games for the Warriors last season, Kimbrell nearly broke even with 55 blocks vs. 56 fouls. He averaged 2.1 blocks per game. Kimbrell also averaged 11.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Those numbers indicate Kimbrell usually had the ball in his hands on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/pksome77/status/1815942353607147730","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/pksome77/status/1815942353607147730 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->