In the coming weeks, we will be looking at several under-the-radar prospects that were primed to use the travel circuit to boost their recruiting stock this summer. Now, with grassroots basketball on hold as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, these prospects may not get the exposure in the coming months as they would have otherwise.
Today, we take a look at Isaac McKneely.
WHO IS HE?
A native of Poca, West Virginia, Isaac McKneely just completed his sophomore season for his local Poca High School unit. They finished the year at 21-3 overall and made their way to its regional championship game before the season was canceled due to the coronavirus. McKneely averaged 22 points per game this past winter, all while making 45-percent of his 3-point attempts.
A 6-foot-4 scoring guard that can also play on the ball in spurts, McKneely was slated to play with the Wildcats Select 16-under team this spring and summer on the adidas circuit.
His travel coach Tom Droney, believes the best is to come with McKneely and that he personifies all that is an all-around guard does in today’s game. “Isaac is a long and lanky 2-guard who is proficient at shooting the basketball. He has great feet and shot preparation, with the ability to make shots coming off down-screen and curl-screens,” Droney said. “He has a smooth handle and is a capable secondary facilitator. As he continues to get physically stronger, his game will continue to grow and expand.”
RECRUITING SNAPSHOT
McKneely has already led a fairly impressive recruitment without the need of a junior travel season, though the next few months were ones that should have seen some of the better east coast programs offer.
However, just last week, West Virginia offered McKneely, one that has been difficult for other in-state prospects to turn down. “It means a lot for sure, especially because it’s my home state, and they’re a really great program,” he said. “They’re definitely one of my favorites right now.”
He did say that he is wide open with things and in no rush to end his recruitment. His offer list also includes Davidson, Liberty, Marshall, Robert Morris, Stetson and Xavier. The others showing interest at this time are Cincinnati, Dayton, Indiana, Ohio State, Virginia and Virginia Tech. He has taken unofficial visits to Davidson, Indiana, Liberty, Marshall, Ohio State, Virginia, WVU and Xavier within the past year.
WHY I LIKE HIM
McKneely has already drawn a great following within his area in West Virginia but the word is beginning to get out about the intriguing sophomore guard.
My first look at him and my immediate thought was that he reminds me of a younger Tyler Herro. Each display a tremendous mid-range game, confidence in their ability to score the basketball but also the impressive feel and intellect in which they can see tiny holes within the defense and deliver accurate, precise passes off of the bounce.
Possessing great length and a pace for the game, McKneely is a clear-cut high-major guard and a likely Rivals150 prospect sooner rather than later. In an age where shot making and guard versatility is the ultimate ingredient to success, the sophomore will be a heavily recruited target over the next two years.
A member of the 2022 class, if it wasn’t for the coronavirus and the ban on travel basketball this spring, I would have expected for his offer list to have only expanded this month. Instead, he will have to wait before soon breaking out nationally in which he looks to be one of the most well-around guards out east.
