Class 3A: Top 10 Returning Steals

Evan Abbott waits for an inbound pass. Photo: Eliot Clough / Prep Hoops

Tony Roe August 24, 2026 @ 08:30 AM

1.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906433' first='Maddox' last='Kelley'] (Solon) -- 103 steals   Kelley paced a Solon defense that was among the best in Class 3A last year, allowing just 47.4 points per game. He's a strong, quick guard with great hands and a penchant for picking opposing ball-handlers clean. He moves his feet really well and his activity on that end of the floor really sparks the Spartans.   t2.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2231637' first='Lincoln' last='Norris'] (Knoxville) -- 66   Norris showed that he's not just a big-time shooter in his junior year, showing a knack for jumping passing lanes and turning defense into offense as well. He snatched nearly three steals a game for the Panthers, leading the team in the category.   t2.) 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2772340' first='Kylen' last='Vander Schaaf'] (Sergeant Bluff-Luton) -- 66   Vander Schaaf stuffed the stat sheet last season to the tune of 18.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. He's an intelligent guard who positions himself well on the defensive end, moves his feet, and has quick hands.   t2.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2530654' first='Davis' last='Tokheim'] (Des Moines Christian) -- 66   Tokheim has exceptional lateral quickness and he uses that side-to-side speed to make it uncomfortable for opposing ball-handlers. He has no problem picking players up full-court and making them work to bring the ball up the floor. In addition to his work on the defensive end, he also led the Lions in assists last season, dishing out 2.9 helpers per game.   5.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419750' first='Parker' last='Miller'] (Ballard) -- 64   Miller is a long, athletic combo forward who does a great job utilizing his length to his advantage on the defensive end of the floor. He's capable of guarding multiple positions, and his quick hands are a major asset when he's defending in the paint, routinely picking opposing big men.   6.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2754704' first='Nathan' last='Manske'] (Algona) -- 61   Manske is a long, athletic 6-2 forward with good timing, instincts, and the length to defend multiple positions. In addition to his work defensively, he also averaged 20.3 points per game as a junior, leading Algona in that category as well.   7.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2419714' first='Evan' last='Abbott'] (Ballard) -- 56   Another Bomber on this returnee list, Abbott is one of the best offensive players in the state, but his defense sometimes gets overlooked. He's a really intelligent defender who knows how to position himself, when to take chances, and his size and length allow him to defend multiple spots on the floor.   8.) 2027 Jordyn Deleon (Clarke) -- 52   A small (5-7), but quick guard who impacts the game on both ends of the floor, Deleon was a pest on the defensive end, averaging 2.4 steals per game while also dishing out 3.2 assists. His speed puts pressure on opposing teams on a possession-by-possession basis.   9.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2530471' first='Tate' last='McCollum'] (Solon) -- 50   When you watch McCollum play, it's clear that he grew up around the game. He has a tremendous feel for the game, and that extends to the defensive end, where he times his passing lane jumps well and knows when to take the gamble or when to stay disciplined.   10.) 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2906415' first='Beckett' last='Boeset'] (Clear Creek Amana) -- 48   Boeset is an instinctual defender with a knack for jumping passing lanes and using his defense to spark his offense. He has good size and length at 6-3, moves his feet well, and has the physicality to bang with bigger bodies in the paint when needed, where his quick hands can also be a major asset.

1.) 2027 Maddox Kelley Maddox Kelley 5'9" | PG Solon | 2027 State IA (Solon) -- 103 steals