Class 3A: Top 10 Returning Shot Blockers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2413531' first='Cael' last='LaFrentz'] (Decorah) -- 67 blocks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LaFrentz has long arms and a nearly 7-foot frame that allows him to just stay vertical and contest shots without leaving his feet. As he continues to grow into his body and add some more strength, he'll continue to become more and more dominant as an all-around defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765535' first='John' last='Nelson'] (Nevada) -- 60</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson is a big, athletic forward who put together a great sophomore year for the Cubs on both ends of the floor, averaging 15.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.5 blocks a game. The 6-6 big man has great timing and instincts as a shot blocker and does a nice job of contesting without fouling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511505' first='Kaiden' last='Smith'] (Knoxville) -- 59</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-6 combo forward, Smith is one of the most versatile defenders in the state. He has tremendous length and is a good athlete who can move his feet and defend on the perimeter or bang against bigger bodies in the paint and protect the rim. He's a bit of a Swiss Army knife for the Panthers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511523' first='Dayton' last='Lamar'] (Fort Madison) -- 53</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An efficient finisher around the rim, Lamar averaged 8.7 points and 6.1 rebounds a game on 55.6% shooting as a junior. But where the 6-5 forward really stands out is on the defensive end, where he blocked 2.5 shots a game and altered several others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1978100' first='Jaxon' last='Clark'] (Keokuk) -- 52</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the third top-10 returnee list that Clark has found himself on following a fantastic sophomore campaign. The 6-9 big man has good instincts and timing as a shot blocker and has the huge frame and long arms that allow him to cover a ton of ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1288887' first='Will' last='Richardson'] (Wahlert Catholic) -- 32</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richardson wasn't a big scorer as a junior for the Golden Eagles, averaging 4.8 points and 3.7 rebounds a game, but the athletic 6-6 forward made a major impact by averaging 1.4 blocks per game and serving as a strong rim protector and interior presence in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511498' first='Tyson' last='Shivers'] (Boone) -- 31</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shivers is an athletic 6-3 forward who covers a ton of ground on the defensive end, routinely rotating over and showing good awareness on the defensive end, coming away with some impressive helpside blocks. He's bouncy and has good timing as a shot blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8.) 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1765515' first='Jaidyn' last='Coon'] (Storm Lake) -- 29</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another top-10 returnee list, another appearance from Coon, the versatile, athletic two-way player who now holds a handful of Division I offers. His blend of size, athleticism, length, and instincts allow him to be a dynamic rim protector who also does a great job contesting shots on the perimeter against smaller players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.) 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2511568' first='Ryan' last='McIlrath'] (Grinnell) -- 29</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McIlrath led the Tigers in scoring as a junior, putting up 15.3 points a game on efficient 56.5% shooting. A 6-4 forward with some strength and athleticism, he impacts the game on both ends of the floor in a big way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.) 2025 Keagan Jackson (West Delaware) -- 28</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic 6-4 forward, Jackson is the team's top defensive weapon, controlling the paint while also showing the length, athleticism, and quickness to serve as a switchable defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->