"Side-Step Smoke and Pull-Up Thunder With a Fearless Fire"

Landon Paswater

IG: @hard2guardlp

6'3, Class of 2028

Highland HS, CO

Landon brings energy the moment he steps on the court, and his three-ball gives him a way to make teams pay when he finds an opening. He loves the pull-up three and the side step, two shots that show his confidence and give him room to score when a defender closes in. There's more to his game than the rainmaker, too. His middy is an underrated weapon, and he's been working to get to the rim and draw contact instead of settling for the first shot he sees. That mix of shooting, movement, and a willingness to attack makes him fun to watch when he gets rolling.

Last season gave Landon a tough path to playing time. As a sophomore on a team with nine seniors, he had to fight for minutes and make the most of every chance his coach gave him. He earned starts against Strasburg and Windsor Charter, moments that meant a lot after spending much of the year trying to get his game seen. Those starts showed that he could step in when his team needed him. Every minute mattered, and he stayed ready to help wherever he was needed.

Since last season, Landon sees the biggest improvement in his ability to find an open shot and create contact. That growth matters for a shooter who already trusts his three-ball. When he moves into a better spot before shooting or attacks a defender who rushes out to him, he gives himself another way to score. He's learning how to get more out of each possession while staying true to the shots he likes best.

The hardest part of last year was getting noticed while so many seniors were ahead of him. Landon got through it by pushing forward and filling whatever role was open. He kept working even when the minutes were hard to find, and he didn't let that change how he prepared. His starts were big moments, but the patience it took to reach them says just as much about how he handled the season.

This offseason, Landon has put extra work into his defense and his ability to reach the rim. He goes to the rec every day to get shots up and makes sure he's at his team’s open gyms. That daily work gives him time to trust his shot, build his attack, and bring more to the court when the season begins. He wants his team to have a winning year, and he is pushing himself toward an All-State mention as he looks beyond this season.

A coach can expect Landon to compete on defense, bring energy, and find open shots every time he checks into a game. His pull-up three or side step can grab attention in a hurry, but his middy gives him another answer when defenders take away the outside look. He also carries a competitive edge that shows up when an opponent starts talking. That talk fuels his fire, and Landon wants to answer with his play.

I assess that Landon’s shooting gives him a clear way to help his team, especially when he moves into open spots and is ready to let the ball fly. His pull-up and side step can make a defender work harder to stay with him, while his improving drive gives him a chance to punish a closeout. As those skills come together, he can become harder to guard and make a stronger impact on the game.

Landon can give his team more than a scoring lift because he's committed to competing on defense and finding ways to stay involved. His middy offers another dependable scoring choice, and his growing comfort with contact can help him turn a small opening into a strong finish. If he brings that work into the season, he has a real chance to earn a larger role and show just how much his game has grown. Stay tuned.