Minnesota Timberwolves
Potential Wolves draft pick profile: Jonathan Isaac
Minnesota Timberwolves

Potential Wolves draft pick profile: Jonathan Isaac

Published May. 25, 2017 1:47 p.m. ET

Leading up to the NBA Draft, FOX Sports North will take a look at some options for the Minnesota Timberwolves. We start the series with Florida State forward Jonathan Isaac.

FRAME: 6-foot-11, 210 pounds (7-1 wingspan)

POSITION: Small/power forward



2016-17 STATISTICAL AVERAGES: 26.2 minutes, 12.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.5 blocks, 50.8 FG%, 34.8 3PT%, 78.0 FT%.

TROPHY CASE: All-ACC honorable mention, All-ACC freshman team, two-time ACC Rookie of the Week, NCAA National Player of the Week (Jan. 23)

TALE OF THE TAPE: Isaac made national headlines in late January when he tallied three double-doubles in one week … against three top-15 teams. Isaac single-handedly defeated No. 15 Notre Dame and 12th-ranked Louisville, and his double-double almost took down North Carolina. The NCAA tournament didn’t go as planned, however. Florida State fell in the second round to Xavier, as Isaac was held to eight points on 4-of-7 shooting. Gophers fans may remember his 14-point, 13-rebound performance that handed Minnesota its first loss on Nov. 28.

GET TO KNOW HIM: Born in the Bronx, Isaac moved with his mom and five sisters to Staples, Fla., at the age of 10. He attended high school at IMG Academy, a boarding school dedicated to promising athletes. Isaac began high school as a 6-1 guard, but he grew seven inches to morph into a top-10 recruit. Isaac’s history of playing a guard position while growing up is why the 19-year-old can knock down a shot from anywhere.

Isaac doesn’t talk much on the court. He considers himself a “quiet dude” who doesn’t like a lot of attention off the court. He’s a family-first type of guy, shown when he officially declared for the NBA Draft on Twitter with his mom right by his side.

https://twitter.com/jisaac_01/status/845344502994911232

But look out world. Isaac’s a big deal now.

https://twitter.com/jisaac_01/status/862314273011191808

MORE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urBSYvHvSjk

WHY IT WORKS: Listen to one interview with Isaac, and you’ll see why Florida State fans were so disappointed when he declared for the NBA Draft. He’s a well-spoken young man with high character. It’s easy to see him getting along with the calm-but-competitive attitudes of Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine. Basketball-wise, Isaac can do it all. He can score inside (59.3 2P%), outside and hit free throws. His 7-1 wingspan gives him the ability to grab rebounds and block shots (he led Florida State in both categories).

WHY IT DOESN’T: The primary (and virtually only) knock on Isaac remains his size. Isaac has bulked up rapidly over the last few years, but still checks in at just 210 pounds. He has a solid floor, but Isaac remains a raw talent with plenty of room to grow.

FILM ROOM: Believe it or not, Isaac dunked for the first time of his life at the end of his sophomore year of high school. Since then, he hasn’t had much trouble.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHYPD2oBKlh/?taken-by=jonisaac_01

https://youtu.be/V0z6orTeKVc

https://youtu.be/t8qq5wZxISE

https://youtu.be/RECBH7BZqsQ

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