Completed Event: Men's Basketball at Utah on February 24, 2026 , Win , 75, to, 59
Final
Men's Basketball
75
Utah
59
Iowa State University Athletics
Vanderbeken Becoming Shot-Blocking Force
01.07.2011 | Men's Basketball
AMES, Iowa- As the 2011 Big 12 Conference seasons opens this weekend, three Iowa State basketball players find themselves leading the league in various statistical categories.
Senior point guard Diante Garrett ranks No. 1 in assists (6.0 apg) and steals (2.3 spg). Sharpshooting junior guard Scott Christopherson is tops in 3-point field goal percentage (51.7 percent) and senior Jamie Vanderbeken is averaging the most blocks in the conference at 2.3 bpg.
Garrett and Christopherson's rankings probably won't surprise many, but when seeing Vanderbeken on top of the Big 12 block chart, some might have taken a second glance.
A native of Belleville, Ontario, Vanderbeken has been known more for his smooth-shooting stroke from the outside than for swatting shots.
Vanderbeken, who battled injuries last season which ultimately forced him to take a redshirt, has been instrumental in helping the Cyclones race out to a 13-2 record in 2010-11. He has continued his hot shooting, ranking fourth in the Big 12 in 3-point field goal percentage (43.0 percent). It has been his commitment on the defensive end, however, that has his head coach Fred Hoiberg smiling.
"I have been much more prepared defensively than I have been in the past," Vanderbeken said. "I have been doing a better job of guarding the weakside, and that's where many of my blocks have come."
At 6-11, Vanderbeken has been focusing on using his length to his advantage this season, and it's paid dividends so far.
"Coach (Hoiberg) has been on me all season about staying as vertical as possible," Vanderbeken added. "A lot of younger players get into the habit of leaving their feet in the post and I have been much better this year at staying grounded and keeping my position."
Vanderbeken has been on a tear in recent games, averaging 3.6 blocks per game in his last five contests. In his last outing vs. Northern Illinois, Vanderbeken swatted a career-high six shots. The last Cyclone to lead the Big 12 in blocked shots was Jared Homan in 2005. It's something Vanderbeken definitely has his sights on.
"It would be a great honor to lead the Big 12 in blocks," said Vanderbeken. "However, you can't go into a game looking to improve stats, you just try to help your team win in any way possible."
Senior point guard Diante Garrett ranks No. 1 in assists (6.0 apg) and steals (2.3 spg). Sharpshooting junior guard Scott Christopherson is tops in 3-point field goal percentage (51.7 percent) and senior Jamie Vanderbeken is averaging the most blocks in the conference at 2.3 bpg.
Garrett and Christopherson's rankings probably won't surprise many, but when seeing Vanderbeken on top of the Big 12 block chart, some might have taken a second glance.
A native of Belleville, Ontario, Vanderbeken has been known more for his smooth-shooting stroke from the outside than for swatting shots.
Vanderbeken, who battled injuries last season which ultimately forced him to take a redshirt, has been instrumental in helping the Cyclones race out to a 13-2 record in 2010-11. He has continued his hot shooting, ranking fourth in the Big 12 in 3-point field goal percentage (43.0 percent). It has been his commitment on the defensive end, however, that has his head coach Fred Hoiberg smiling.
"I have been much more prepared defensively than I have been in the past," Vanderbeken said. "I have been doing a better job of guarding the weakside, and that's where many of my blocks have come."
At 6-11, Vanderbeken has been focusing on using his length to his advantage this season, and it's paid dividends so far.
"Coach (Hoiberg) has been on me all season about staying as vertical as possible," Vanderbeken added. "A lot of younger players get into the habit of leaving their feet in the post and I have been much better this year at staying grounded and keeping my position."
Vanderbeken has been on a tear in recent games, averaging 3.6 blocks per game in his last five contests. In his last outing vs. Northern Illinois, Vanderbeken swatted a career-high six shots. The last Cyclone to lead the Big 12 in blocked shots was Jared Homan in 2005. It's something Vanderbeken definitely has his sights on.
"It would be a great honor to lead the Big 12 in blocks," said Vanderbeken. "However, you can't go into a game looking to improve stats, you just try to help your team win in any way possible."
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