Prospect Spotlight: Isiah Esquibel (2021)
Competing up with the 17U Kansas Hoggs this summer, Topeka 2021 guard Isiah Esquibel is making a name for himself as he gears up for a breakout junior campaign. A talented 6’3 lead guard, Esquibel is a crafty playmaker who…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingCompeting up with the 17U Kansas Hoggs this summer, Topeka 2021 guard Isiah Esquibel is making a name for himself as he gears up for a breakout junior campaign.
A talented 6’3 lead guard, Esquibel is a crafty playmaker who does a little bit of everything well. He can handle the ball, get his teammates involved, rebound and defend multiple positions.
He helped Topeka finish the 2018-19 season 18-3 overall and despite a disappointing finish to the season, Esquibel says expectations are high for the 2019-20 season.
“My high school team this past season faced a lot of adversity and it didn’t end how we would’ve liked it; however, my teammates and I got a lot closer over the year and are ready and more determined to take on anything that’s in our way for the next season,” Esquibel says.
He says running with the Kansas Hoggs, which features several talented players from the Topeka area, has helped him take his game to a new level.
“It’s been good we’ve gotten closer each tournament and our chemistry are coming together very well,” Esquibel says. “I feel as if it has helped me a lot just seeing and being a part of the competition just makes me hungrier and more determined going into next season.
“I’ve worked a lot on my jumping ability as well as my combo moves and off the dribble shooting a lot this offseason.”
Esquibel says his mom has had the biggest influence on his basketball career to date.
“Without her none of this would be possible, she cancels things that are important to her to make sure I got to do what I got to do,” he says. “Additionally, she goes out of her way to make sure I’m okay or satisfied with whatever it is, so big shout-out to her.”
A fan of Topeka Highland Park’s Jamal McMurray, Esquibel says he sees some of himself in the SMU star’s game.
“He’s also from Topeka, KS and our struggle is very similar but also because he’s highly underrated and one of the best players in the NCAA currently,” Esquibel says. “I’ve taken a lot of his game and molded it into mine such as his pull up jumper, combo moves and determination to win and to follow your dreams.”