Recruiting Report: Isaiah Wheeler (2017)
Summer before the senior year has been all about putting in work for Isaiah Wheeler (2017). The 6’4” forward from Hilliard Darby understands that adding perimeter abilities will further his recruitment, so that’s where the focus lies. “Usually I wake…
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Continue ReadingSummer before the senior year has been all about putting in work for Isaiah Wheeler (2017). The 6’4” forward from Hilliard Darby understands that adding perimeter abilities will further his recruitment, so that’s where the focus lies.
“Usually I wake up, it ranges from 6 to 8 in the morning depending if it’s for high school or if it’s on my own … I’ve done that every single day for June and July, sometimes I even end up doing it two times a day,” Wheeler said. “I usually work on my game by myself.”
“In the spring I really worked on my shooting and my inside game. But in the summer, mostly I’ve been working on like pushing it transition, ball-handling. Just being able to play more outside, let alone just being able to play inside.”
Schools interested in Wheeler are Heidelberg, Otterbein, Marietta, Concordia (MI), and Wheeling Jesuit (WV).
“I’ve gotten multiple camp invites from D-IIs and D-IIIs,” Wheeler said. “The only camp I’m possibly attended is your Prep Hoops one in September.”
When making a college decision, Wheeler hopes to find somewhere he feels comfortable calling home. He is not keen on any specific location.
The 3.1 GPA student-athlete does not view his size as a disadvantage.
“I usually have to guard the biggest people on the other team, and sometimes they’re a lot bigger than me. And I’ve definitely adjusted to that from sophomore year to senior year.”
Wheeler relishes putting defenders in awkward situations.
“My skills are definitely my footwork in the post. I can work down low, regardless who’s guarding me. If I have a smaller defender, I can use my feet to dig down and get them in the post. If I have a bigger defender, I can pull them out to the high post and work them from there,” Wheeler said.
On the other side of the ball, he has the agility and sturdiness to compensate for height disadvantages. Even more importantly, self-belief is a key component.
“I can guard the two down in my opinion … I take pride in defense though. Whoever I’m guarding, I’m going to try and lock them up regardless.”
As a senior, Wheeler will have an abundance of opportunity to showcase his perimeter skills in a new, up-tempo scheme being implemented for the Panthers. Along with that challenge, Wheeler is embracing his role as the senior leader.
“I got to set an example when I step on the court, for practice and games. … I like the role of having to be the leader, and being someone you have to depend on. I like the feeling of people looking up to me and trusting me with what goes on, on and off the court.”