When Jim Larrañaga started recruiting Isaiah Wong, he seen a skinny guard getting recruited by one other important packages like UConn and Illinois, nevertheless the New Jersey native shortly rose up the Miami Hurricanes’ recruiting board thanks largely to his persona.
“He was like 6-2, 162 kilos, however he may rating,” Larrañaga acknowledged. “In highschool, he led his crew in scoring. In AAU ball, he was an incredible scorer, and we simply felt he had a variety of potential. He’s an excellent athlete and a tough employee. I like guys who actually work onerous, who’re going to spend so much of time within the gymnasium, type of like gymnasium rats. And in Isaiah’s case, he was within the gymnasium, engaged on his sport and simply stored getting higher and higher.”
4 years later, Wong leaves Miami as among the adorned players in program historic previous, departing UM to try his luck throughout the NBA draft.
“It was a tricky choice, coming again or going to the NBA,” Wong acknowledged. “However I really feel like for me, I’ve acquired to comply with my goals and go to the NBA. On the finish of the day, the NBA is the primary dream.”
Within the earlier two offseasons, Wong entered the draft whereas retaining his eligibility. However the four-year Miami standout, who launched his plans to indicate skilled on Monday, acknowledged he employed WME Company to characterize him and that there was “no likelihood” he returns to UM subsequent yr.
Wong leaves the Hurricanes after important the workforce to 2 of in all probability probably the most worthwhile seasons in program historic previous. After a breakout sophomore yr in 2020-21, all through which he scored a career-best 17.1 elements per recreation, he returned to Miami for the 2021-22 season and scored 15.3 elements per recreation as UM reached the Elite Eight for the first time in program historic previous.
After testing the NBA draft waters throughout the offseason, Wong returned as soon as extra for his fourth college season and averaged 16.2 elements, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals, incomes ACC Participant of the 12 months honors. The Hurricanes made the Last 4 for the first time ever nevertheless fell to eventual nationwide champion UConn.
Wong racked up 1,866 elements in his 4 seasons with the Hurricanes, which ranks fourth all-time in program historic previous. He averaged 14.1 elements, 4.1 rebounds and a pair of.2 assists over his occupation.
“He’s actually one of many biggest basketball gamers of all time in College of Miami historical past,” Larrañaga acknowledged. “I believe if you happen to requested me, it’s about his super, constant work ethic. I believe he set a normal for everyone to emulate. He’s only a actually hard-working man. He’s by no means had a bad-attitude day or a foul work-ethic day. He’s at all times come. He’s type of a quiet chief however he simply leads by instance, and I believe he’s set the tone for us hopefully for a few years to return.”
Wong is projected to be a doable second-round select and in the intervening time ranks 71st in ESPN’s draft rankings. However Larrañaga acknowledged the workforce that picks him could be getting a high quality, versatile participant.
“I believe when the NBA scouts that I’ve talked to have a look at him, they actually see a man who’s a high-octane scorer who actually scored on the faculty degree very nicely,” “I do know in just a few of his workout routines in earlier years, they’ve impressed him to develop his range, which he’s accomplished. So he’s now, I really feel, a wonderful three-point shooter.
“I believe the factor he’ll must do is have the ability to play each the purpose and the 2 and have the ability to guard each one and twos, and I believe he’s going to have the ability to do this. … If he will get a chance to showcase his abilities and what he can do, I believe he’ll reap the benefits of that.”
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