Isaiah Wong removes name from NBA Draft, stays with UM Hurricanes for 2021-22 season
Guard Isaiah Wong decided to withdraw from the NBA draft and return to the University of Miami basketball program for at least another year. He joins teammate Kam McGusty, who made the same decision last week.
Wong, 20, had entered his name in the draft while maintaining his college eligibility. After doing numerous NBA workouts and interviews, he announced his decision to return to UM Tuesday morning. He remains a sophomore, as the NCAA granted athletes an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wong said: “I was trying to get as much information as I could from the NBA. I wasn’t really on the draft boards, nobody was really looking at me, so I always had in the back of my head that I’d come back to college. The way I saw this team coming in, I like (transfer point guard) Charlie Moore and Kam coming back and Sam Waardenberg coming back and I just want an opportunity to win at the University of Miami. That’s what motivated me to come back.”
Wong said he had unfinished business with the Hurricanes. He led the team with 17.1 points per game during the 2020-21 season and averaged 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists. The Canes went 10-17.
“I’m 100 percent committed to doing what it takes to return this program where it belongs and have the season it deserves. I have no doubt we have the tools needed to make some noise this year. Being a Hurricane is one of my greatest accomplishments and the chance to compete again alongside my teammates and coaches, while developing into who I need to be as a player and leader, is an opportunity I don’t take lightly. Let’s work!”
Coach Jim Larrañaga was delighted with the news and said he is pleased with his roster, although he would like to add one more big man.
“Isaiah gained valuable insights from NBA teams while navigating the pre-draft process and learned a great deal that will help him as he pursues his goal of playing at the highest level,” the coach said. “My staff and I will continue to do all we can to help him make that dream a reality. We are thrilled Isaiah, who is a model Hurricane, has decided to come back to Miami next year to build upon the tremendous season he had as a sophomore.”
Both players were advised by NBA scouts on which areas of their game they need to improve, starting with defense.
“NBA coaches and scouts sit down and evaluate your game and tell you the areas you need to focus on if you want to play in the NBA,” Larranaga said. “College coaches can tell their players that, and quite frankly, they don’t listen all the time. They say, `Nah, defense isn’t that important. As long as I score everyone will be interested in me.’ When the NBA scouts talk to them, they say, `Hey, if you can’t guard a great player, you can’t play in the NBA’. You have to guard guys like Chris Paul, James Harden, Russell Westbrook.”
Forward Sam Waardenburg, center Rodney Miller, forward/center Deng Gak, guard Harlond Beverly and forward Anthony Walker are back, as well. Waardenburg missed all last season with a foot injury and returned to practice three weeks ago.
As the transfer portal exploded this offseason, the Hurricanes lost guards Chris Lykes (Arkansas), Earl Timberlake (Memphis) and Elijah Olaniyi (Stony Brook) and center Nysier Brooks (Ole Miss). Forward Matt Cross transferred to Louisville in the middle of his freshman season.
New players joining the Canes are DePaul transfer Moore, George Mason transfer Jordan Miller, freshman Jakai Robinson, and freshman Wooga Poplar.
McGusty and Wong both said they are eager to play alongside Moore.
“Charlie’s a true point guard and we haven’t had that in two or three years,” McGusty said. “Chris (Lykes) is a scoring guard, and probably the best player under 6 foot in the country, but he’s more of a scorer. Charlie’s more of a facilitator, looking for his teammates, but he can still score, is a crafty guard, he’s going to be a fun guy to watch...It’s exciting to play with him and the fans are going to love him.”
This story was originally published July 6, 2021 at 9:35 AM.