Player Profile: Isaac Amaral Artharee
One of the biggest stock risers in the class of 2018 is Isaac Amaral Artharee of Portland’s Central Catholic. We caught up with the 6’2 combo guard to talk about his recent AAU experience, his college recruiting status, and what he expects from the Rams during the 2017-18 season.
“The spring and summer AAU circuit went really well for my team SCORE Athletics. We played a lot of games against some of the best competition on the west coast. We played teams from both the Nike EYBL and the Adidas Gauntlet. It was great playing in front of so many different colleges and get that exposure. Our team had some guys that were unknown, but they ally competed and played hard and we played well as a group.” When asked for an update on his recruiting and college search process, Amaral-Artharee said, “I’ve had a lot of colleges reach out and make contact with me, especially during the AAU circuit, but I’ve had no offers. Because my grades are good, I’m also getting interest from high academic D3 schools. My plan is to play well this high school season and believe that things will work themselves out.”
As far as what he’s looking for in a potential college program, he offered, “I want to become a sports agent when my career is over, so I can still be around sports. I want to be able to attend a college that is going to help me receive a good education, while also giving me the opportunity to play basketball at the highest level possible. Finding the academic fit to go along with a program where I connect with the players and coaches is going to be important.”
Asked to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of his game, Amaral-Artharee offered this honest perspective, “I’d describe my game as being a balanced combo guard with great leadership skills. I think I see the floor and my teammates like that. I also feel I can shoot the ball when needed to. The biggest thing that I’m working on is my physical characteristics, mainly size, strength, and quickness. By working hard in the weight room, I’ll become faster and stronger and that will help take my game to the next level.”
Prep Hoops Evaluation:
Isaac Amaral-Artharee is a talented combo guard from Portland’s Central Catholic HS. He is one of the more talented players in the state and has shown a knack for making big shots and scoring the ball well against quality competition. It’s clear that he has a good basketball IQ and does a nice job of talking on the floor and getting his teammates to the right spots. To play at the highest level, he must make a commitment to becoming a consistent defender both on and off the ball. Improving as an athlete (strength & quickness) will help him in this effort. He is a guy that high academics, D2, and quality NAIA programs should be pursuing.