6-foot-4 Isaiah Ackerman plays his basketball primarily in Santa Cruz County so he's automatically downgraded since hoops and therefore hoopsters can't be of any substance in the 831. Not that he's taking anything personal but he's changing that perception just by being himself.
To refute the negative tag of being from Santa Cruz County (Aptos High), he plays for KP Potts' Team Arsenal in the spring and summer, beginning as a freshman after attending a tryout. Now he's on the 17s Elite squad alongside Gavin Ripp, Tyler Jones and Jordy McKenzie, all three already having earned college scholarships.
"Definitely getting downhill, finishing or feeding my teammates or pulling up because the defense thinks I'm going all the way." That's his response when asked to detail his best hoops skills. Watch any Ackerman video and it will be loaded with him powering like a rocket downcourt with defenders simply mere deterrents to speed by.
Aptos Coach Brian Bowyer offered, "I'm very impressed with the work Isaiah has put in since last season to improve his three-point and mid-range game. He now can attack teams from all three levels and has proven to be very difficult to contain. Isaiah also works very hard on the defensive side of the ball as he always guards the best player on the other team and leads us in blocks, steals and rebounds."
"I have a pretty good basketball IQ since I've been playing since second grade" Ackerman explained. Genetics likely has an undeterminable role In Ackerman's prowess on the court as his father played at Western Illinois University. The elder Ackerman earned a spot on the Mid-Cont All-Freshman team and made the All-Mid-Cont - Second Team as a soph. There is also a sister playing hoops at D1 Cal Poly.
About being an influence on his team, Ackerman said, "yes, I'm a big leader. I get on people but I do it in the right way."
His best hoops moment came last year on senior night. "We beat rival Santa Cruz with four out of five of our starters out with Covid. Our bench players stepped up and we played our style of basketball." The contest ended with a 36-33 Aptos victory over an undefeated team.
Academics is another area where Ackerman excels as his 3.8 grade point average earned him honor roll status as well as a scholar-academic award.
As for influences in his basketball journey, Ackerman said, "My Dad has helped me throughout the way."
His recruiting interactions have him believing he'll be used as a one or a two, a combo guard in college. "I can play on and off the ball. I'm better off the ball." As for any preferred geographic location, Ackerman offered, "I'm looking for the best opportunity for me." He is looking to major in kinesiology.
No comments:
Post a Comment