Class 2A Leading Returning 3-Point Shooters
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*Minimum 50 attempts* 1.) 2022 Ty Van Essen Ty Van Essen 6'4" | PF Western Christian | 2022 State IA (Western Christian) – 31/56 (55.4%) With his size (6-5) and skill set, Van Essen is one of the most…
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Continue Reading*Minimum 50 attempts*
1.) 2022 Ty Van Essen Ty Van Essen 6'4" | PF Western Christian | 2022 State IA (Western Christian) – 31/56 (55.4%)
With his size (6-5) and skill set, Van Essen is one of the most difficult matchups in the state. He’s a gifted scorer with great footwork around the rim, and that’s where he does a big portion of his scoring. But he also has a smooth stroke from the arc that he can use to stretch the defense, drawing his defender out and allowing him to get to the rim. He’s a gifted offensive player with remarkable efficiency.
2.) 2022 Dylan Francis Dylan Francis 5'10" | SG Boyden-Hull | 2022 State IA (Boyden-Hull) – 42/77 (54.5%)
Over 80% of Francis’ field goal attempts came from behind the arc last year, and if you’re going to shoot over 54% on those attempts, that certainly makes sense. A role player for the Comets last year, he’ll be asked to step into a bigger role this year alongside Te Slaa. He’s dynamic as a catch-and-shoot guard.
3.) 2022 Mason Gerleman Mason Gerleman 6'0" | SG Central Lyon | 2022 State IA (Central Lyon) – 74/157 (47.1%)
Gerleman is a great complement to lead guar Zach Lutmer Zach Lutmer 6'1" | PG Central Lyon | 2023 IA for the Lions, a knockdown shooter off the catch who can also create his own looks. He shot nearly 10% better from 3 (47.1%) than from 2 (37.3%) last season. A volume shooter who is capable of getting red-hot, Gerleman is one of the most dangerous players in the state.
4.) 2022 Bryan Zylstra Bryan Zylstra 6'2" | PF Boyden-Hull | 2022 State IA (Boyden-Hull) – 31/68 (45.6%)
Zylstra, like Francis, was a role player for the Comets who will be asked to step into a bigger scoring role this year. He’s a versatile forward who can score inside and out, and his ability to stretch the floor and draw bigger defenders away from the paint will be beneficial for the Boyden-Hull attack.
5.) 2022 Caylor Hoffer Caylor Hoffer 5'11" | SG Denver | 2022 State IA (Denver) – 44/100 (44.0%)
A 5-11 guard, Hoffer was a key piece of what was an absolutely electric backcourt for the Cyclones, one of four guards to average in double figures. Playing alongside so many talented guards, he was able to find a lot of open spaces in the defense, and he showed the ability to knock down shots routinely off the dribble or the catch. With the other members of that backcourt graduated, it’ll be interesting to see how Hoffer performs this season.
6.) 2024 Brady Martin Brady Martin 6'0" | PG West Burlington | 2024 State IA (West Burlington) – 24/55 (43.6%)
Martin started for the Falcons last year, helping lead them to the substate finals. A 5-11 guard who can really shoot it, he also plays well with the ball in his hands, getting others involved. With a number of key contributors graduating, look for Martin’s role to increase greatly as a sophomore coming off a strong summer with the Iowa Barnstormers.
7.) 2023 Padraig Gallagher Padraig Gallagher 6'5" | SF Beckman Catholic | 2023 State IA (Beckman Catholic) – 40/93 (43.0%)
Gallagher is a 6-5 wing who could emerge as one of the elite scorers in the state this year. A smooth player who can fill it up from all three levels, Gallagher never gets sped up, playing with pace and using his superior size and skill to score from anywhere. He has a smooth, repeatable release and knows how to get to the spots that he wants to get to.
8.) 2023 Blake Radke Blake Radke 5'8" | SG Sheldon | 2023 State IA (Sheldon) – 39/92 (42.4%)
Radke is tiny (listed at 5-8), but he’s a great shooter who moves well off the ball, finding spaces in the defense to get his shot off. He shot better from 3 than he did from the floor overall, and his shooting provided some much needed spacing for the Orabs.
9.) 2022 Jayden Mackie Jayden Mackie 6'2" | PG Aplington-Parkersburg | 2022 State IA (Aplington-Parkersburg) – 42/100 (42.0%)
Mackie might be the best shotmaker on this list, as he showed during his breakout performance at the 2A state tournament in March. The Upper Iowa commit is a talented shooter off the dribble who uses his quickness and great footwork to create space to get his shot off. He’s one of the best off-balance shooters in the state and is primed to have a huge senior year for one of 2A’s best teams.
10.) 2022 Jace Schrick (Central Lyon) – 26/62 (41.9%)
Another talented shooter for the Lions, Schrick moves well off the ball and has a quick release on the catch. He doesn’t have the ball in his hands much, but he makes the most of his opportunities, burying 42% of his 3-point attempts as a junior.