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

  • 1472 replies
  • 233266 views

paultzman

  • *****
  • 16981
Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #980 on: September 18, 2013, 06:40:56 PM »
From Zach B of Post


From his quiet demeanor to his humble personality and lack of hangers-on, Isaiah Whitehead doesn’t fit the stereotype of a New York City high school basketball star.
The Lincoln High School standout from Coney Island can really break the mold with his college decision Thursday afternoon by staying home at St. John’s.

The 6-foot-4 shooting guard, a consensus five-star recruit ranked 12th overall in the country by Scout.com — the highest ranking for a New York City player since Lance Stephenson was a senior six years ago — is scheduled to pick a college Thursday afternoon at a press conference at the Coney Island school. Pittsburgh, Minnesota, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Indiana are his five finalists.

If he goes with the Johnnies, Whitehead would be the biggest city product to do so since Omar Cook in 2000, the last local McDonald’s All-American to stay put. Scout.com recruiting analyst Evan Daniels said “in my mind, there’s no doubt” Whitehead will receive that honor.

“It appeals to me, but I still want the best situation for Isaiah,” said his mother, Ericka Rambert.
The plan, she said, was to tour the Queens campus Wednesday night, speak to head coach Steve Lavin and his staff and watch the team work out. Afterward, Rambert, Whitehead, Lincoln coach Dwayne “Tiny” Morton and Juice All-Stars AAU coach James Barrett will meet and make a decision by the end of Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
New York City and Long Island have produced 11 McDonald’s All-Americans since Cook, and none have wound up at St. John’s, more of a knock on Mike Jarvis’ recruiting acumen and Norm Roberts’ six-year tenure than Lavin’s successful efforts luring players, most of them hailing from outside the area.

“A lot of children just leave and forget about St. John’s. St. John’s is usually the last school on the list as far as going to a big school,” Rambert said. “I don’t think New York City kids realize it’s a big time-program and a great school. I look at it as a big-time school. It’s a privilege to play at St. Johns.”

St. John’s has swung and missed on a handful of local stars, including Stephenson (now with the Indiana Pacers), Holy Cross alum Sylven Landesberg, San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green of St. Mary’s of Manhasset and Charlotte Bobcats point guard Kemba Walker, who attended Rice, which has since closed down. The players would feign interest, but by the time the decision came around, St. John’s was a non-factor.

The Whitehead sweepstakes feels different. The Red Storm have been around from the start, one of the first programs to offer Whitehead a scholarship, back in the spring of his freshman year. Sources said Lavin encouraged Whitehead to go through the process, and told him they would monitor the situation before seeing if there was a fit later on.

“This is a game-changer for St. John’s,” said Daniels, the recruiting analyst. “Not only is it big because you [would] be keeping the best player in New York home, but he also happens to be the best shooting guard in the country and an elite-level prospect.”

The city hasn’t produced nearly as many stars — the last player to be selected to the McDonald’s game was Villanova senior and former Bishop Loughlin star Jayvaughn Pinkston in 2010 — and Lavin has compiled impressive recruiting classes each of the past two years. His first recruit, in fact, was a local star, Orlando Magic forward Maurice Harkless of Queens. Harkless, however, was ranked in the 40s at the time and wasn’t an All-American.
He broke out in his one year at St. John’s, going 15th overall in the draft to the Philadelphia 76ers after a series of big performances.

“I grew up watching St. John’s, I got to stay home and be a part of that tradition,” Harkless said. “I was the first guy to commit there. That kind of playing a big role [in the recruiting turnaround] and he can keep it going.
“It would take it back to how it used to be, when all the young guys used to stay home. I did it. No reason he can’t.”
Like Whitehead, Harkless was somewhat of a homebody, which factored into his decision to stay home.

“I loved being around family. Me going to St. John’s, that was big,” he said. “My mom got to come to my games. If he goes there, he can have the same experience.”
Harkless did not reach the NCAA Tournament in his one season. This season, St. John’s is expected to be reach the tournament. The Johnnies return their entire team from last season’s NIT group and add touted Philadelphia freshman point guard Rysheed Jordan, sharpshooter Max Hooper (a Harvard transfer now eligible) and versatile big man Orlando Sanchez to a core that includes NBA prospects D’Angelo Harrison, Chris Obekpa and JaKarr Sampson.

“Next year, they’ll be even better,” Harkless predicted. “Adding him, another player who can score, you never know how far they can go.”


Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #981 on: September 18, 2013, 07:10:33 PM »
Well that answers the question about when his visit is, tonight.

Those are some interesting quotes by his mother.

LJSA

  • *****
  • 2364
Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #982 on: September 18, 2013, 07:49:05 PM »
How can kid who didn't play in NYC still be considered a NYC player..?

And last time I checked, Centereach was pretty far from the Queens border, so no clue at all why Obekpa got lumped in there.

Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #983 on: September 18, 2013, 07:56:57 PM »
My view -- if he chooses based on the staff, the ability to harness his game by playing against really good players in practice and with a staff that has either sent or developed guys to/in the league, he is going with us.  If he picks the Hall, it is because he will be the top dog from Day 1 and likes the idea of being a program-changing type recruit (which he would be for the Hall).  Let's hope he picks the former, because this would be a HUGE pickup for us, and guarantee that we would see lots of three-guard lineups in 2014/2015 lol

Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #984 on: September 18, 2013, 07:57:04 PM »
How can kid who didn't play in NYC still be considered a NYC player..?

And last time I checked, Centereach was pretty far from the Queens border, so no clue at all why Obekpa got lumped in there.

So that means Fordham got the no. 1 city player last year...Severe...LOL!!!

paultzman

  • *****
  • 16981
Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #985 on: September 18, 2013, 07:58:25 PM »
“@Isaiah_W15: Big Decision Tomorrow 👌”

“@sheedjordan: @Isaiah_W15 LET'S MAKE THIS HAPPEN BOI IT'S ONLY RIGHT!”
« Last Edit: September 18, 2013, 07:59:35 PM by paultzman »

Marillac

  • *****
  • 11224
Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #986 on: September 18, 2013, 08:00:43 PM »
"It’s a privilege to play at St. Johns.”  - Isaiah's mother

I think IW changes the game plan for the two remaining vacancies.  With two top 25 young guards to go with three experienced seniors and our starting center graduating at year's end, the draw for a stud big man to come here has just gone through the roof. 


Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #987 on: September 18, 2013, 08:01:03 PM »
“@Isaiah_W15: Big Decision Tomorrow 👌”

“@sheedjordan: @Isaiah_W15 LET'S MAKE THIS HAPPEN BOI IT'S ONLY RIGHT!”
uh oh...that's thumbs up wasnt red

Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #988 on: September 18, 2013, 08:02:23 PM »
"It’s a privilege to play at St. Johns.”  - Isaiah's mother

I think IW changes the game plan for the two remaining vacancies.  With two top 25 young guards to go with three experienced seniors and our starting center graduating at year's end, the draw for a stud big man to come here has just gone through the roof. 


his mom deserves a standing ovation at our first game :)

Chilleb

  • *****
  • 1850
Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #989 on: September 18, 2013, 08:23:31 PM »
If we get whitehead, I feel like well get in the picture for another top 150 big

redslope

  • *****
  • 1823
Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #990 on: September 18, 2013, 08:29:03 PM »
I love the words spoken by Mo Harkless--a true Redman

Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #991 on: September 18, 2013, 08:46:54 PM »
Mo is such a class individual.  He would have never fit in at Uconn.

Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #992 on: September 18, 2013, 08:53:16 PM »
Moe is the best! Come on Isaiah follow in his footsteps!
*wipes ketchup from his eyes* - I guess Heinz sight isn’t 20/20.

Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #993 on: September 18, 2013, 09:15:32 PM »
Maurice Harkless
@StJohnsBBall win it for me this year guys

paultzman

  • *****
  • 16981
Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #994 on: September 18, 2013, 09:50:14 PM »
Of course, with exception of Jarvis screwing up in home visit with Jason Fraser.

“@NYPost_Brazille: Multiple sources have said Isaiah Whitehead visit went very well to St. John's. Of course, I don't think I've ever heard a bad visit. #sjubb”
« Last Edit: September 18, 2013, 09:53:52 PM by paultzman »

Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #995 on: September 18, 2013, 09:55:05 PM »
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfvbzdRH8ro   
another highlight video

Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #996 on: September 18, 2013, 10:04:56 PM »
Don't know who this is:

Aromdee Erickson @AllDay_With2K
It is confirmed from sources that @Isaiah_W15 will be choosing St. John's tomorrow.

Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #997 on: September 18, 2013, 10:09:44 PM »
Don't know who this is:

Aromdee Erickson @AllDay_With2K
It is confirmed from sources that @Isaiah_W15 will be choosing St. John's tomorrow.

He is a MInnesota Gophers blogger.

Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #998 on: September 18, 2013, 10:19:59 PM »
Wish they wouldn't steal the spotlight from the kid but it is nice to hear.
*wipes ketchup from his eyes* - I guess Heinz sight isn’t 20/20.

Re: Isaiah Whitehead - SG - Lincoln HS - Brooklyn, NY
« Reply #999 on: September 18, 2013, 10:31:16 PM »
Aromdee Erickson ‏@AllDay_With2K
@Isaiah_W15 Wow, not even coming to see Minnesota and give us a look. #SMH

Not a very mature blogger if that's the case.