Isaiah Turner Talks Transfer To West Oaks, Recruitment
PH: Which aspects factored into your decision to transfer from Auburndale to West Oaks? IT: I had obviously been thinking about it and considering it. I spoke with Corey (Sanders) and also Tyriek (Blakeney), both guys from home. They talked…
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Continue ReadingPH: Which aspects factored into your decision to transfer from Auburndale to West Oaks?
IT: I had obviously been thinking about it and considering it. I spoke with Corey (Sanders) and also Tyriek (Blakeney), both guys from home. They talked to me about it and gave me some insight into the competition level, the style of play, and also the SIAA conference. I had spoken with them both about it during a recent open gym at Polk State. It really seemed like the right idea. Also, it’s really not far from home, it’s about 45 minutes from where I live. So, I can still play in front of family and friends for my senior year.
PH: How would you described the growth spurt you’ve undergone the past few years and how does it work in your favor on the court?
IT: It’s been really crazy because I went from about 6-foot-2 as a freshman to 6-foot-5 as a sophomore. Now I’m 6-foot-8. It gives me an advantage on the floor because I was really a guard from the beginning. Now that I’ve got the height advantage and am the same size as post players, I still pride myself on having good handle and being able to shoot it from outside. In this area, there’s really not a lot of guys that can do that at 6-8 so that’s a real plus for me. I can take a Center one on one and make him play me outside, which definitely is rare. I try to use it to my advantage on the court.
PH: How do you feel adjusting to the new personnel will benefit you as a senior?
IT: I think the guard play is the best part about their style of play. I haven’t played with them yet, but I know Tyrell Jones and Jordan Smith are real quick, crafty guards. It’s also going to be a great opportunity to play for coach Kenny (Gillion). He’s one of the best coaches around. It will definitely help with my development. From what I hear, the SIAA conference is extremely competitive so I’m looking forward to that as well.
PH: Which programs are currently the most aggressive in your recruitment and who have you been hearing from the most lately?
IT: Right now I’m speaking to a number of schools. Really I’ve been hearing recently from Xavier, Tulane, Butler, Cincinnati, South Carolina, Arkansas Little Rock, Florida Gulf Coast, FIU, and Old Dominion.