[MalcolmxParticipant]

So scout.com has updated their class of 2014 rankings and one of the pleasant surprises was Isaiah Whitehead being ranked the number 1 shooting guard in the nation. Number 12 overall player.Whitehead attends Abraham Lincoln High school in Brooklyn,New York which is the former school of Lance Stephenson. He is a 6’4 195 pound guard who is a power driver and slasher,has very good range on his jump shot and is very crafty when he gets into the lane. He uses both hands very well when dribbling and when laying up the ball. Also has a low to the ground handle with a lot of advanced moves.He also is a good passer and will give up the ball when double teamed and will hit open cutters along the baseline. The main thing lacking from his game is Elite athleticism. He is a sneaky leaper though and will dunk on a defender if he isn’t careful.He doesn’t blow by people with quickness or speed though it usually takes him a dribble move and some of his strength to get by an opponent. At his last AAU tournament he and Rashad Vaughn went head up and many people reported Whitehead got the better of him, going for 30 points and getting the victory. I’ve always liked his game and skill set but I’m not sure he is the number 1 current SG even though he did get the best of the guard many think is the Number 1 at that position. I would like to see where will rivals and espn place him when they update their rankings. I would also like to say I predict he will attend Indiana or Minnesota. I think he is no longer going to Cuse after Kaleb Joseph committed. Where do you guys think he ranks among the class of 2014 shooting guard crop? And what do you think about his NBA chances?

[kotyParticipant]

I think Whitehead is going to be a top 15 player when the rivals rankings are updated. Eric Bossi, the head evaluator at Rivals, has tweeted and written on the site multiple times that his oncourt demeanor and attitude has greatly improved. He’s a big time scorer and his shot has gotten much better. The only thing I disagree with is that Kaleb Joseph causes Whitehead to no longer consider Cuse. Cuse has been one of his favorite schools since the beginning and Jospeph is a pass first point guard who is a great distributor. I think it would appeal to Isaiah to play with Kaleb and 5 star forward McCullough.

[kotyParticipant]

I think Whitehead is going to be a top 15 player when the rivals rankings are updated. Eric Bossi, the head evaluator at Rivals, has tweeted and written on the site multiple times that his oncourt demeanor and attitude has greatly improved. He’s a big time scorer and his shot has gotten much better. The only thing I disagree with is that Kaleb Joseph causes Whitehead to no longer consider Cuse. Cuse has been one of his favorite schools since the beginning and Jospeph is a pass first point guard who is a great distributor. I think it would appeal to Isaiah to play with Kaleb and 5 star forward McCullough.

[MalcolmxParticipant]

Only reason I said I think Whitehead will no longer attend Cuse is because rumors are that he would like to play the point in college. Also where would you rate Whitehead among top SG’s in the nation?

[MalcolmxParticipant]

Only reason I said I think Whitehead will no longer attend Cuse is because rumors are that he would like to play the point in college. Also where would you rate Whitehead among top SG’s in the nation?

[kotyParticipant]

Thats fair and I think he is in the top 3 of 2014with Oubre and Vaughn. I’m not a fan of Hamilton and I think Isaiah projects as a better professional player than guys like Booker and Allen. Personally I think Oubre has all the tools to be the best pro of the group so I would put him as the best prospect, but he hasn’t been producing at the highest level as long as Whitehead and Vaughn. Being from NY I’m a little biased, but I think Isaiah is a better prospect than Vaughn. Vaughn is bigger, stronger, and has a more polished offensive game than Isaiah and they are also both good, but not great athletes. But Isaiah is better at getting to the rim and finishing, is a great passer and rebounder for the 2 spot and now that his 3 point shot has developed, I think he has a pretty complete game. So if I had to rank them, I’d go 1- Oubre, 2- Whitehead, 3- Vaughn. What about you?

[kotyParticipant]

Thats fair and I think he is in the top 3 of 2014with Oubre and Vaughn. I’m not a fan of Hamilton and I think Isaiah projects as a better professional player than guys like Booker and Allen. Personally I think Oubre has all the tools to be the best pro of the group so I would put him as the best prospect, but he hasn’t been producing at the highest level as long as Whitehead and Vaughn. Being from NY I’m a little biased, but I think Isaiah is a better prospect than Vaughn. Vaughn is bigger, stronger, and has a more polished offensive game than Isaiah and they are also both good, but not great athletes. But Isaiah is better at getting to the rim and finishing, is a great passer and rebounder for the 2 spot and now that his 3 point shot has developed, I think he has a pretty complete game. So if I had to rank them, I’d go 1- Oubre, 2- Whitehead, 3- Vaughn. What about you?

[SiggyParticipant]

He’s performed like the #1 SG in his class this past summer, well…both he and D’Angelo Russell had dynamite summers with Russell getting hot late, but Whitehead was pretty consistent throughout from what I’ve read. My understanding is that he’s made the most strides in his game amongst SGs, both in his floor game and expanded range. His size is a bit questionable for an NBA 2. He plays with strength and 6’4 seems to be more of an acceptable height for the position, but like the OP said, his athleticism isn’t spectacular and his wingspan is below average for a 2 (6’6 measured at LBJ skills camp).
How do you guys compare him to say, Rodney Purvis?

I agree that he isn’t the #1 SG as far as NBA prospects go. Vaughn has greater potential given his better size IMO, but I’m not completely sold on Vaughn either.

I think Oubre is more of a SF than a SG. He’s grown a couple of inches since last yr and looks closer to 6’7 with the length of a SF.
I’m also really partial to D.Russell and love his potential as a combo guard.

[SiggyParticipant]

He’s performed like the #1 SG in his class this past summer, well…both he and D’Angelo Russell had dynamite summers with Russell getting hot late, but Whitehead was pretty consistent throughout from what I’ve read. My understanding is that he’s made the most strides in his game amongst SGs, both in his floor game and expanded range. His size is a bit questionable for an NBA 2. He plays with strength and 6’4 seems to be more of an acceptable height for the position, but like the OP said, his athleticism isn’t spectacular and his wingspan is below average for a 2 (6’6 measured at LBJ skills camp).
How do you guys compare him to say, Rodney Purvis?

I agree that he isn’t the #1 SG as far as NBA prospects go. Vaughn has greater potential given his better size IMO, but I’m not completely sold on Vaughn either.

I think Oubre is more of a SF than a SG. He’s grown a couple of inches since last yr and looks closer to 6’7 with the length of a SF.
I’m also really partial to D.Russell and love his potential as a combo guard.

[MalcolmxParticipant]

I usually put Kelly Oubre with the Small Forwards as well due to him being so tall and long. He is a legit 6’7 with a 6’11 wingspan. I’ve seen him up close and personal.He does have the best pro tools of the 3. I’m from New york as well and I love that a New Yorker has the top spot for his position but I’m also honest and I’m not sure if Whitehead is that best SG in that nation. But he is in my top 3 for sure. I would go with Vaugh, Whitehead and Devin Booker in my top 3.

[MalcolmxParticipant]

I usually put Kelly Oubre with the Small Forwards as well due to him being so tall and long. He is a legit 6’7 with a 6’11 wingspan. I’ve seen him up close and personal.He does have the best pro tools of the 3. I’m from New york as well and I love that a New Yorker has the top spot for his position but I’m also honest and I’m not sure if Whitehead is that best SG in that nation. But he is in my top 3 for sure. I would go with Vaugh, Whitehead and Devin Booker in my top 3.

[machu46Participant]

Regarding the Whitehead to Cuse stuff, Syracuse insiders think that they’re just focusing on getting Goodluck now and he’ll be the last guy that they try to add to the 2014 class. Whitehead is supposedly out since they got Kaleb Joseph.

[machu46Participant]

Regarding the Whitehead to Cuse stuff, Syracuse insiders think that they’re just focusing on getting Goodluck now and he’ll be the last guy that they try to add to the 2014 class. Whitehead is supposedly out since they got Kaleb Joseph.

[Author]

Posts