Introducing Mr. Basketball Candidate 3: Cael LaFrentz

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>As part of our preseason preview content, we're counting down the top 15 candidates for this year's Mr. Basketball award, presented annually to the top senior in the state. Our countdown continues with our No. 3 player, Decorah center [player_tooltip player_id='2413531' first='Cael' last='LaFrentz'].</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Name:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2413531' first='Cael' last='LaFrentz']<br><strong>Height:</strong> 7-0<br><strong>Position:</strong> C<br><strong>School:</strong> Decorah</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024-25 stats: </strong>701 points (29.2/game), 304 rebounds (12.7), 9 assists (0.4), 88 blocks (3.7), 9 steals (0.4), 286-437 FG (65.4%), 0-7 3P (0.0%), 129-178 FT (72.5%)<br><strong>Career stats:</strong> 1,101 points (22.0), 579 rebounds (11.6), 18 assists (0.4), 155 blocks (3.1), 13 steals (0.3), 463-702 FG (66.0%), 0-7 3P (0.0%), 175-240 FT (72.9%)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>About LaFrentz:</strong> A 7-footer with some serious talent, LaFrentz put up massive numbers as a junior for the Vikings, averaging 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game. It should come as no surprise that he has talent, given the fact that his dad played in the NBA for a decade. Cael has really good footwork and touch around the rim, can step out to about 15 feet and knock down jumpers with consistency, and is a good free-throw shooter, which suggests that he could potentially add some range out to the 3-point line. His raw size would be enough to make him a high-level rim protector, but he also has impeccable timing and does a great job staying vertical and contesting without fouling. He has kept his recruitment very quiet, but will undoubtedly find his way to a Division I program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why he can win Mr. Basketball: </strong>As the son of a former NBA player who many media members will remember from his own time in high school, he'll be on the radar of voters to start the year. And when he puts up ridiculous, video game-like numbers this season, he'll only garner more attention, Decorah is going to be a pretty young, inexperienced team outside of LaFrentz and one other key returnee, but if he can lead them to Des Moines, he'll have to be given some real consideration.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->