BRADENTON, Fla. – There is no shortage of talent at IMG Academy this year, and that includes 2017 center Isaiah Stokes. Stokes is a skilled big man who rebounds well and can also knock down jumpers from behind the arc. He’s joined by 2017 five-star Trevon Duval, 2018 five-star Silvio De Sousa and 2018 four-star Emmitt Williams as the IMG Academy Ascenders compete for a spot in the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School Nationals this year.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
On the recruiting front, Stokes has been to Tennessee and Iowa State. He will be visiting Florida this weekend and will travel to TCU for an official the weekend of Oct. 28. His last visit will be North Carolina on Nov. 5.
Tennessee visit: "Tennessee was cool. My brother (Jarnell Stokes) went to Tennessee, so I obviously know the fan base is great there and I know the coaches real well. Playing in the SEC, it’s a grind conference and that’s my style of play. You have to work hard every game and nothing’s guaranteed. And coach (Rick) Barnes, he’s been in the business for 30 years so he obviously knows how to produce good teams and players."
Iowa State visit: "Iowa State was a good visit and different from Tennessee. Georges Niang and Monte Morris came out for the weekend and I got to talk to them a lot about the program. I’ve known the coaches for awhile because they came from Murray State and that's where Cameron Payne went and he's from my hometown. Coach (Steve) Prohm and Coach (William) Small, they’re real down to earth guys and keep it real with me and that’s something I really appreciate."
On upcoming Florida visit: "I’m just looking forward to checking out the atmosphere at Florida and getting to know the players there a little better. Coach (Mike) White, this is his first year at Florida and he’s trying to build a good foundation for the program. I like the style of play and the way he plays his bigs a lot."
On upcoming North Carolina visit: "I’m good friends with Jalek Felton and he’s talking to me about coming there. Playing at North Carolina would be great. It’s all basketball all the time, and the ACC is a tough conference. Coach (Roy) Williams is a great coach that gets the team to the tournament year after year and a chance to compete."
On upcoming TCU visit: "TCU is an up and coming program and I just want to go and check them out first hand. They already have a good start to the recruiting class with R.J. Nemhard and Kevin Samuel coming in. I know the coaches are building something good there and I can help put TCU on the map. They definitely have some noise to make even this year and I can’t wait to watch it."
WHAT'S NEXT?
All five coaches from his official visit list have been down to IMG Academy to check in on the 6-foot-8 center. Stokes doesn't have a definitive time frame on when he plans to commit and says he still open to other schools outside his official visit list. Outside of recruiting he's looking forward to his senior season.
"I want to focus on our season and really gel together as a team," he said.
RIVALS REACTION
Stokes' older brother played his collegiate career at Tennessee and there's a familiarity with campus that could give them a slight edge, but he seems open to all of these schools. He's really evaluating every visit and trying to find the best fit for his style of play. TCU already has a center for the 2017 class in Kevin Samuel but two solid bigs is never a bad problem to have.
