Recruiting Report: Isaiah Todd (2020)
There’s always a handful of young players in each class that stand out from other prospects their age from both a physical and skill set standpoint. While we all love the stories such as Markelle Fultz, who bloomed late and turned from a JV player his sophomore year at DeMatha to the possible number one pick in the upcoming draft. However, many of the great players across the country are found at a young age, especially with mixtape and recruiting services looking at kids younger every year.
Morally, I disagree with this and tend not to start evaluating kids until they’re in high school because so much can change in just four years of high school. With that being said, I was told to check out this eighth grader last year who would be playing JV for John Marshall, and quite possibly would start on any varsity team in the state, or for that the country.
His name was Isaiah Todd, and in just eighth grade I was saying he could possibly be the most impressive prospect I have seen in my three years of scouting high school basketball.
He was 6’8” when I saw him, and now after completing his freshman season he is a legitimate 6’10” wing forward and one of the most recruited players in the country, regardless of class. The buzz was intense in anticipation for the ultra-skilled and athletic wing, and he readily admits it wasn’t easy.
Finding his role on a deep and talented John Marshall team that featured senior JMU commit Greg Jones was a challenge at first, and more than a few rumbles were beginning that he was overhyped when the season first started. However, Todd found his groove, and once he fixed his mindset he started to show his promise and became a dominant force on both ends by the end of the year.
“I think this year went well for me as a player,” Todd said. “I learned to play through disadvantages because I was so used to being the tallest, fastest and strongest player on the floor, but I quickly adapted to high school basketball after a few games. I feel like we blew a chance at winning a state title, we could’ve played together more as a team down the stretch, but I learned how to play through things that would usually distract me during a game.”
One of those possible distractions is the amount of pressure the freshman faced before he even stepped on the floor for his first high school game! After showing out playing up on the 15U Adidas Gauntlet with Team Loaded VA, as well as multiple elite camps like CP3 Camp and USA Basketball minicamp, Todd went into the season with multiple high major offers, and more than a few people saying he could be the number one player in the 2020 class.
While the pressure may have got to other players, Todd wasn’t phased, and knows it’s something he’ll have to get used to if he wants to meet his goals in basketball.
Todd drew national attention last year playing up with Team Loaded 15U.“The pressure really doesn’t bother me,” Todd said. “I want to be one of the greats when it’s all said and done, so the pressure is something I know isn’t going anywhere.”
Todd’s ability to focus on his goals of getting better are impressive for such a decorated young prospect as himself. Offensively, he shines at the high post, where he has a feathery touch on his go-to fadeaway that’s almost un-blockable with his length, and he also excels in running the floor and finishing off a pass or an offensive rebound. Defensively, he has good timing when contesting shots, and his length allows him to bother ball handlers in press situations and force deflections and steals.
While his size, athleticism and skill set are far beyond his young age, he isn’t content with just being better than everyone his own age. He’s not only talented, but he’s a hard working gym rat that’s always looking to improve his game.
“I still need to work on creating my own shots, my quickness and my ball handling.”
To put into perspective how good Todd is, take into account that I personally have been to games with Kansas, Duke, Maryland, UVA and Florida State coaches in attendance, not to mention both UNC Head Coach Roy Williams and Associate Coach Hubert Davis, on multiple occasions this season. Every high major program in the country not only has heard of this 15 year old kid, he’s on the top of their recruiting boards.
With double-digit high major offers already, Todd says he doesn’t have a clear cut favorite because it’s too early, and he’s open to entertaining everything at this point until he starts to see where he’ll fit best.
Todd has been blessed with the physical and natural abilities to be one of the best basketball players in the country, and if he continues his humble and hungry approach amidst the hype, he has a great chance of making it to his potential.