Thielen, one of the best shooters of the weekend, continually hunted his shot and made the most of his opportunities. He connected on a high number of deep threes and showed a strong willingness to keep the floor spaced, understanding that any opening required him to be aggressive and ready to pull the trigger. Carter also had stretches where he heated up quickly and flashed the ability to score downhill, adding another dynamic layer to his offensive game. Extremely capable with the ball in his hands, he presents a difficult matchup by being able to operate effectively both on and off the ball, making him tough for teams to locate and contain.

Thielen was really productive as a freshman, averaging 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game for the Titans, and if his play throughout the spring and summer is any indication, he’s just getting started. He’s a high-level shotmaker who knows how to get to his spots whenever he wants to either off the dribble or the catch. He has a smooth stroke from the 3-point line, and is working to become a more consistent weapon from distance, but he’s nearly automatic in the mid-range. His length and IQ are assets on the defensive end as well, getting into passing lanes and contesting shots.

Thielen was one of the most productive freshman in the state last year, averaging 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. He’s a long, active wing who really understands how to get to his spots both off the dribble and the catch. He was superlative when we saw the Titans play at the Winterset Shootout in June, and he’s going to have a tremendous sophomore year for a team that should be improved.