Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY - SETON HALL

Agree with Fordham.  These days, I'm of the mindset that many of the top, top local kids will want to get out of NY for college, with exceptions like Harkless.  What Lavin has been great at doing - to the state the obvious - is luring top kids from elsewhere into NY.  For that reason, while I love Whitehead, I have always viewed him as a big time stretch.  But after what some posted, I thought the Abu/Terrel package had legs.  I'm not as concerned about the guard situation, because we will have Branch, Green and D-Lo as seniors, likely Jordan as a sophomore and Felix as a junior.  We can balance that with a JUCO and frosh or two, even if we don't pick up a guard in 2014.  But the frontcourt is an area where we will need quality new guys next year.

Indy blog;

Indiana may still be recruiting guard James Blackmon Jr., but they have started a search for his replacement in the 2014 class.

On Friday night, just over 24 hours after Blackmon Jr. announced he would reopen his recruitment, the Hoosiers offered a scholarship to Brooklyn, N.Y. guard Isaiah Whitehead.

Whitehead, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound combo guard, is ranked 35th in the 2014 class, according to ESPN.com. Whitehead also has offers from Arizona, Kansas, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Minnesota, St. John’s, Syracuse and UCLA.

Whitehead has said recently he plans to commit in the fall, by November, so Indiana is getting in quite late. But the Hoosiers have had success in such scenarios lately, landing 2013 forward Troy Williams after other schools had spent considerably more time recruiting him.

With the offer to Whitehead, Indiana is now recruiting four 2014 guards hard. The others are Australian point guard Dante Exum, Robert Johnson and Louisville decommit Quentin Snider. Snider has not yet been offered by the Hoosiers.

We will have more on this developing story.
Photo credit: ESPN.com

“@insidethehall: New on ITH: Indiana offers 2014 guard Isaiah Whitehead http://bit.ly/19UIVOM #iubb”

Anyone with a subscription to Redstormreport.com? They posted an article with the headline "STJ on his short list" today. 

http://stjohns.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1534773#sthash.jjgOpTKc.dpbs



A busy summer is nearing its end for Isaiah Whitehead (Abraham Lincoln '14).

Isaiah Whitehead
The Railsplitters star enjoyed great success with the Juice All-Stars and the Playaz on the AAU circuit this summer, and the top rising senior in NYC is now getting focused on his college decision. We caught up with Whitehead at the Big Strick Classic media day on Friday to get the latest scoop on his thought process.

Whitehead showed off a silky smooth jump shot during the media day practice, which is apart of the reason he is so highly coveted by schools. He admitted that while other schools are still welcome to get in on his recruitment, he wants to decide in November and sign during the early signing period.

"That's the plan. I want to sign and have my decision made by the time the H.S. season starts so my focus can be all about getting another championship," Whitehead said.

He said, Syracuse, Minnesota, Arizona, UCLA, St. John's, Miami (FL) and Louisville are the teams recruiting him still. The Cardinals may be somewhat of a surprise as other outlets reported that they were eliminated, but a recent decommitment may have brought them back in it.

"Yeah I'm looking at Louisville. Quentin Snider (Melrose, KY '14) just decommited from there so they may be back involved," Whitehead added.

The local Red Storm are still alive in his recruitment as well, and Whitehead said that his mother hears from them a lot, but he did say they wouldn't get a visit.

"I've been to St. John's a lot so no I'm not going to visit there. The schools I'm probably going to visit are Syracuse again, UCLA, Arizona, and Minnesota."

While he knows that those four schools will get a visit, the dates he will visit them are still unclear. He said that after the Under Armour Elite 24 on August 24th, he will sit down and plan out the dates for each visit, which will most likely all be in September.

What he is most looking for in the school he chooses was an easy answer for the talented guard, who stressed the importance of being needed.

"I want to go to a school that doesn't just want me. Wanting me is great, but I really want to go somewhere that I'm needed. That, plus great coaching is what I'm looking for," Whitehead said.

Wherever he goes, that school will surely be getting a huge boost by adding his talents to the team.

Funny now he is mentioning both Memphis and Indiana in terms of visiting per the IU Rivals.com site:

"It means a lot," Whitehead said. "Indiana is a legendary program with a great coach in coach Crean. You can never overlook them."

Whitehead has made a number of visits to St. John's but said the schools he's currently planning to visit are Syracuse, UCLA, Arizona and Memphis. Whitehead said he's thinking about an official visit to Indiana, possibly in September.

http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1534920

rdstr25, thanks for posting that.

My question is this, do we NEED Isaiah? We will have Harrison for another year, as well as Phil Greene. I don't think it's any secret that the PF/C position is our most pressing need with Sanchez and Gift leaving. I'm sure Isaiah sees that too.

rdstr25, thanks for posting that.

My question is this, do we NEED Isaiah? We will have Harrison for another year, as well as Phil Greene. I don't think it's any secret that the PF/C position is our most pressing need with Sanchez and Gift leaving. I'm sure Isaiah sees that too.

Getting IW would be huge, but obviously acquiring quality big men is greater priority IMO.

There is a story on this kid every day now:

According to coach and mentor James Barrett, Whitehead put in a ton of work in the gym in order to have the summer that he did.

“He had a great summer,” said Barrett. “You could tell he improved a lot, and he was in better shape. He got hurt during his sophomore season, so I think last year going into the summer he was behind. He just went into the summer with a lot of confidence and played well.”

Specifically Whitehead really improved as a shooter, and that came from repetition when no one was watching.

“He just put up a lot of shots,” explained Barrett. “When we did have off days he would be in the gym putting up a lot of shots. I think that made him confident because he put up those shots in the gym.”

Schools such as Arizona, UCLA, Syracuse, Louisville, Minnesota, and St. John’s tracked Whitehead since the spring, with Indiana joining in July and recently offering a scholarship.

The offer from Indiana came last week, and it is one that Barrett and Whitehead took immediate notice of.

He is going to play in the Elite 24 Game, and then we will sit down and map out what visits he is going to take,” said Barrett. “He will probably take an unofficial visit to Syracuse and then an official to Indiana for sure.”

http://scouthoops.scout.com/2/1315259.html

We are log jammed at guard and small forward doesnt have many more minutes!
Recruiting wise Should be Big men or Bust! (with 3-4 possible departures after next season? )

We are log jammed at guard and small forward doesnt have many more minutes!
Recruiting wise Should be Big men or Bust! (with 3-4 possible departures after next season? )

If Whitehead wants to come then you make adjustments, he is too good to pass up

Quote from: illscalpya4000 on August 12, 2013, 08:36:40 PM

We are log jammed at guard and small forward doesnt have many more minutes!
Recruiting wise Should be Big men or Bust! (with 3-4 possible departures after next season? )

If Whitehead wants to come then you make adjustments, he is too good to pass up

This.

Quote from: Redstormy80 on August 12, 2013, 08:40:27 PM

Quote from: illscalpya4000 on August 12, 2013, 08:36:40 PM

We are log jammed at guard and small forward doesnt have many more minutes!
Recruiting wise Should be Big men or Bust! (with 3-4 possible departures after next season? )

If Whitehead wants to come then you make adjustments, he is too good to pass up

This.

I really feel we are wasting resources and time with this joker
he is Lance Stephenson 2.0 
Befeore we can really recruit top caliber guards we need a better offense
You act like these recruits can't watch gametape we were horrible last year
The Name is Bigger than the game at this present time
I love St.Johns 
but I will not be delusional and set myself up for different results  when it come s to NYC Primadonnas (like Lance 2.0)
His recruitment has him all over place 
Knock it off!
He will transfer after his sophomore year!
 
Im my opinion that is!

Isaiah Whitehead (Abraham Lincoln, 2014): Following a 29-point performance in Team New York City’s win over Team D.C. in Nike’s Tournament of Champions, Whitehead’s encore performance included a dominating showing in a victory over St. Raymond. A threat on the offensive end, the rising senior scored in multiple fashions, including beyond the arc as well as in the lane, while distributing the ball incredibly well. The 6-4 guard played a vital role on the defensive end, as well, disrupting passing lanes leading to fast break opportunities for the Railsplitters.


https://twitter.com/gothamhoops/status/368810097595523072
Kaleb Joseph committed to Cuse today btw.

BREAKING - Kaleb Joseph has committed to Syracuse while on his official visit

— Adam Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinNERR) August 17, 2013

Can only be good for us.  Syracuse was Whitehead's top choice, and obviously they favored oth guards over him.   If Whitehead really wants to go to a program that wants him, and is so inspired by playing at home, his choice becomes clearer.  Boeheim has only been moderately interested in Whitehead anyway.  He'd be a phenom alongside Rysheed here.  Hope Lavin hangs on and it drags out.  Can only help us.

Playing a 3 guard line up w Sheed, Whitehead and DLO would really be nice.

Can only be good for us.  Syracuse was Whitehead's top choice, and obviously they favored oth guards over him.   If Whitehead really wants to go to a program that wants him, and is so inspired by playing at home, his choice becomes clearer.  Boeheim has only been moderately interested in Whitehead anyway.  He'd be a phenom alongside Rysheed here.  Hope Lavin hangs on and it drags out.  Can only help us.

Syracuse is out.  Ennis and Joseph...IW would be a FOOL to follow those kids if he ever wants the ball in his hands.  There are only a few things this kid can do to screw up his chances of going to the next level...following those two might be one of them.

Has no impact on Whitehead. Joseph while being a combo is more of a PG while Whitehead will be more of a pure SG who can play PG. They can coexist very easily.

I think Zona lands Whitehead. My darkhorse pick.

And this is a kid who goes on and on about staying in NY! Seems like he's talking from both sides.  Anyway Dave, you're probably right.  Just can't figure out kids who say one thing and do another, but they're kids...   

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/high_school/basketball/lincoln_hoops_star_to_take_city_1wGtDZBk4LV4V7cpqG4FxO

And this is a kid who goes on and on about staying in NY! Seems like he's talking from both sides.  Anyway Dave, you're probably right.  Just can't figure out kids who say one thing and do another, but they're kids...   

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/high_school/basketball/lincoln_hoops_star_to_take_city_1wGtDZBk4LV4V7cpqG4FxO

Take into account the context. He was playing in a game where it was NY vs USA and he is being asked questions directly about NY. I wouldn't read too much into subtext.

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
There is no longer mutual interest between Syracuse and Isaiah Whitehead, sources confirm to @SNYtv