Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: 2017 NBA Draft Targets Who Aren’t Point Guards

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 28, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots over Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots over Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Feb 25, 2017; Clemson, SC, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) looks to pass the ball while being defended by Clemson Tigers guard Shelton Mitchell (4) during the first half at Littlejohn Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Clemson, SC, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) looks to pass the ball while being defended by Clemson Tigers guard Shelton Mitchell (4) during the first half at Littlejohn Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

Jonathan Isaac, Florida State Seminoles

Position: Small Forward
Age: 19 (10/3/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10.5″, 205 pounds, 7’1.25″
2016-17 Slash Line: .508/.348/.780
2016-17 Season Averages: 26.2 MPG, 12.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.0 3PM

Jonathan Isaac is often listed on the outside of the Top 5 prospects in the 2017 NBA Draft. That’s due to a combination of Isaac neither playing for a recruiting powerhouse nor posting the strongest of individual statistics.

Isaac may have the highest ceiling of any player in the Top 10, however, and it would behoove Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks to do their homework on him.

Isaac’s primary appeal is his physical profile as a near 6’11” small forward with a 7’1″ wingspan and a near 9’1″ standing reach. He put those physical gifts to use on the defensive end of the floor during his freshman season at Florida State.

Isaac also has a solid outside shot, rebounds well on both ends of the floor, and is capable of creating off the bounce—both for himself and for others.

Beyond the basic skills, Isaac seems to have an advanced understanding of the way the game is played. Whether it’s a Euro Step, a stutter step, a swim move, or a crisp transition from a hard drive to an accurate feed to an open shooter, Isaac’s offensive game has proven to be advanced.

There’s still an abundance of work to be done, but Isaac has a chance to develop into a 6’11” version of Gordon Hayward with a higher defensive ceiling.

Home/Knicks News