Recruiting Report: Isaac Settles (2021)
Aside from the hair on top of his head, the first thing you notice about Thomas Worthington combo guard Isaac Settles (2021) is his size. The two-sport prospect (football) has a rare build for a sophomore, standing 6’5″. Settles is aware of the advantage his size provides, using it to relentlessly attack with power off the dribble for Ohio Hoopsters this summer.
“My strengths, like I’m strong, I get to the rack well,” Settles said. “My passing, my IQ, and my leadership.”
The size naturally brings challenges of its own, including foot speed.
“I’ve always been told I have slow feet … like that I’m slow naturally. I hate being told that.
“I came into freshman year kind of weak at defense. But then, I realized I had to step it up because it’s not eighth grade basketball no more,” he said. “So then I worked on my lateral quickness, my footwork, and all that. I feel like I’ve gotten better over these last six months.”
Settles’ size also makes it easier to get to the rim, rather than settling for a jumper. Therefore, along with foot speed, he is focused on improving his outside jumper and ball-handling before the high school season at TWHS.
Speaking of the Cardinals, they were 5-18 last year as the upperclassmen and rising young guys struggled to mesh.
“I think last year the big problem was that we didn’t have a chemistry,” Settles said. “It was my first year playing with Ben [Wight] and Kyler [Block] and all them. So I feel like this year we’re going to have good chemistry.”
He feels confident about the steps they’ve taken to amend last year’s issues. Settles, although young, has even taken the reigns as a vocal leader in many ways, something that comes natural for him.
“It’s just how I grew up. My dad coached me hard and I was always told to be a leader,” he said. “I know every high school has seniors and their upperclassmen. But I’m like, if they’re not going to be vocal, I’m going to be the vocal one screaming at practice and getting everybody hype.”
His communal efforts also extend to the basketball court where Settles has the ability to lead a team as the primary ball-handler. He’s a pass-first guy in those scenarios who has good court vision from the top of the key. His height and strength advantage shine in those situations.
Along with guys like TWHS teammate Jalen Sullinger, Settles is also leading the way among 2021 Central Ohio prospects. The Fostoria-native is hoping to play college basketball, although he’ll take an unofficial visit to Cincinnati Saturday for football.
“It depends on how everything goes in basketball and football,” he said. “If I’m getting offers in both, it depends on what I’m feeling. [Choosing football] would be a far stretch though because I just love basketball.”
Settles has early interest from Miami (OH) and Wright State, who he says have reached out to his coach.
His self-evaluation is pretty on point in that he needs to improve as a shooter and as a defender, in terms of lateral quickness. We have him graded out as a kid with D-I potential. As long as he loves the game like he claims to, Settles will have a bright future at a school like Miami or Wright State.
Additionally, he earned a 3.4-3.5 GPA as a freshman.