Why next great high school point guard is staying in NYC
By Zach Braziller
August 27, 2016 | 1:07am
Isaiah Washington has noticed the trend for years.
He watched as other elite New York City high school players bolted for out-of-state schools this summer. The consensus four-star Harlem point guard was even approached by multiple prep schools himself, highlighted by powerhouse Findlay Prep in Las Vegas.
But whenever the thought of following the path of those players crossed the St. Raymond point guard’s mind, he remembered what the top local player in recent years — Nets rookie guard Isaiah Whitehead — accomplished by bucking the trend, and what the former Lincoln High and Seton Hall star advised him.
“[Whitehead] told me I should stay, put on for my city,” the dynamic 6-foot-1 rising senior guard said. “I got to keep New York City basketball going. “I take a lot of pride in that. I’m trying to make a statement.”
Washington, 18, is the anomaly in the area’s basketball grassroots landscape, the kid who turned down supposedly greener pastures. Sidney Wilson (St. Raymond to Brewster Academy in New Hampshire), Aundre Hyatt (Archbishop Stepinac to The Miler School in Virginia) and Jordan Tucker (Archbishop Stepinac to Wheeler in Georgia), all have continued the procession out of the city league’s. Others, like five-star prospects Nick Richards and Mohamed Bamba, never even attended high school in the five boroughs.
Washington, however, has never left.
While those players often talk about representing New York City from afar, Washington is practicing what he preaches.
“I’m following my own path,” he said. “This summer, I used it as motivation. It doesn’t matter where you play. If you’re good enough, they’re going to find you.”
Isaiah Whitehead
Photo: Anthony Causi
Washington, indeed, has a long list of suitors, schools such as Seton Hall, Minnesota, Georgetown, Texas A&M, UNLV, VCU, Syracuse, and New Mexico, though he is in no rush to make a decision. A Division I assistant coach involved in his recruitment compared him to former Villanova guard Corey Fisher, describing him as an “elite” passer who thrives in pick-and-roll situations. Since he began playing to the crowd less and making the smart and simple play, his game has gone to another level.
“He’s the best New York City point guard since Kemba Walker,” the coach said. “He’s a totally underappreciated player [nationally]. He does not like basketball. He loves basketball. He eats, sleeps, poops basketball.”
Washington never felt the need to leave. There are a number of gyms he has access to at any point in the day. St. Raymond plays a national schedule, so he will be seen often by top college coaches. And he has a strong following of fans who flock to his games. They support him even more now that he isn’t leaving for a school out of the city.
“I have to show some type of loyalty,” he said.
Washington enjoyed a strong summer, playing on the AAU circuit with New Heights, building off a stellar junior year in which he averaged 17.5 points and 6.8 assists per game. He was a co-MVP of the nationally televised Elite 24, scoring 36 points in a showcase featuring the nation’s top prospects, and more than holding his own against Trevon Duval, the nation’s top-rated point guard. This week, he broke into the national rankings, 65th by Scout and 96th in ESPN.
“He cares about his legacy at St. Raymond and he cares about his legacy in New York City, making his mark as one of the best point guards to come out of New York City,” St. Raymond coach Jorge Lopez said. “He pretty much set out to change people’s perception of New York.”
Washington hopes his decision can have a trickle-down effect. If he proves his route works, maybe others will shun prep schools, too.
“Next thing you know,” he said, “New York City basketball will have way more top players than what we have now.”
That’s often what Whitehead said when asked why he never left.
It worked out for him, spending his entire high school career at Lincoln, leading Seton Hall to a Big East Tournament title in March and becoming a second round pick of the Nets in June’s NBA Draft.
That’s one path Washington wouldn’t mind following.
Bronx forward Sidney Wilson took an unofficial visit to SMU on Wednesday.
Seton Hall made the final five for Baltimore three-star wing De’Vondre Perry, along with Kansas State, Virginia Tech, Temple, and USC.
Columbia hosted New Jersey rising sophomores Daniel Sofield and Jacob O’Connell on unofficial visits Thursday.
The entire Roselle (N.J.) Catholic team will attend Syracuse’s Elite Camp on Sunday, including five-star soon-to-be junior Naz Reid.
http://nypost.com/2016/08/27/why-next-great-high-school-point-guard-is-staying-in-nyc/
By Zach Braziller
August 27, 2016 | 1:07am
Isaiah Washington has noticed the trend for years.
He watched as other elite New York City high school players bolted for out-of-state schools this summer. The consensus four-star Harlem point guard was even approached by multiple prep schools himself, highlighted by powerhouse Findlay Prep in Las Vegas.
But whenever the thought of following the path of those players crossed the St. Raymond point guard’s mind, he remembered what the top local player in recent years — Nets rookie guard Isaiah Whitehead — accomplished by bucking the trend, and what the former Lincoln High and Seton Hall star advised him.
“[Whitehead] told me I should stay, put on for my city,” the dynamic 6-foot-1 rising senior guard said. “I got to keep New York City basketball going. “I take a lot of pride in that. I’m trying to make a statement.”
Washington, 18, is the anomaly in the area’s basketball grassroots landscape, the kid who turned down supposedly greener pastures. Sidney Wilson (St. Raymond to Brewster Academy in New Hampshire), Aundre Hyatt (Archbishop Stepinac to The Miler School in Virginia) and Jordan Tucker (Archbishop Stepinac to Wheeler in Georgia), all have continued the procession out of the city league’s. Others, like five-star prospects Nick Richards and Mohamed Bamba, never even attended high school in the five boroughs.
Washington, however, has never left.
While those players often talk about representing New York City from afar, Washington is practicing what he preaches.
“I’m following my own path,” he said. “This summer, I used it as motivation. It doesn’t matter where you play. If you’re good enough, they’re going to find you.”
Isaiah Whitehead
Photo: Anthony Causi
Washington, indeed, has a long list of suitors, schools such as Seton Hall, Minnesota, Georgetown, Texas A&M, UNLV, VCU, Syracuse, and New Mexico, though he is in no rush to make a decision. A Division I assistant coach involved in his recruitment compared him to former Villanova guard Corey Fisher, describing him as an “elite” passer who thrives in pick-and-roll situations. Since he began playing to the crowd less and making the smart and simple play, his game has gone to another level.
“He’s the best New York City point guard since Kemba Walker,” the coach said. “He’s a totally underappreciated player [nationally]. He does not like basketball. He loves basketball. He eats, sleeps, poops basketball.”
Washington never felt the need to leave. There are a number of gyms he has access to at any point in the day. St. Raymond plays a national schedule, so he will be seen often by top college coaches. And he has a strong following of fans who flock to his games. They support him even more now that he isn’t leaving for a school out of the city.
“I have to show some type of loyalty,” he said.
Washington enjoyed a strong summer, playing on the AAU circuit with New Heights, building off a stellar junior year in which he averaged 17.5 points and 6.8 assists per game. He was a co-MVP of the nationally televised Elite 24, scoring 36 points in a showcase featuring the nation’s top prospects, and more than holding his own against Trevon Duval, the nation’s top-rated point guard. This week, he broke into the national rankings, 65th by Scout and 96th in ESPN.
“He cares about his legacy at St. Raymond and he cares about his legacy in New York City, making his mark as one of the best point guards to come out of New York City,” St. Raymond coach Jorge Lopez said. “He pretty much set out to change people’s perception of New York.”
Washington hopes his decision can have a trickle-down effect. If he proves his route works, maybe others will shun prep schools, too.
“Next thing you know,” he said, “New York City basketball will have way more top players than what we have now.”
That’s often what Whitehead said when asked why he never left.
It worked out for him, spending his entire high school career at Lincoln, leading Seton Hall to a Big East Tournament title in March and becoming a second round pick of the Nets in June’s NBA Draft.
That’s one path Washington wouldn’t mind following.
Bronx forward Sidney Wilson took an unofficial visit to SMU on Wednesday.
Seton Hall made the final five for Baltimore three-star wing De’Vondre Perry, along with Kansas State, Virginia Tech, Temple, and USC.
Columbia hosted New Jersey rising sophomores Daniel Sofield and Jacob O’Connell on unofficial visits Thursday.
The entire Roselle (N.J.) Catholic team will attend Syracuse’s Elite Camp on Sunday, including five-star soon-to-be junior Naz Reid.
http://nypost.com/2016/08/27/why-next-great-high-school-point-guard-is-staying-in-nyc/
