Post by jhb on Mar 30, 2021 8:54:39 GMT -5
Isaiah Rider
SG
6'5"
215
22
UNLV
Rider is a dynamo of a player with a checkered history who scouts have very varying opinions about. While some point to his academic issues (which caused him to spend two years at junior colleges before making it to UNLV, where he also missed his senior postseason due to academic issues) other are tantalized by his ability to put the ball in the basket. He averaged over 30 points per game in both of his junior college seasons and at least 20 ppg in both seasons at UNLV, topping out at 29 ppg in his second season at UNLV. He is an explosive athlete who also has a smooth shooting stroke which he used to convert 40% of his threes on almost 6 attempts per game. While he was used mostly as an outside shooter his first year at UNLV, he took a much more active role in the offense and became a three level scorer who could get points anywhere on the court and use his strength to get to the free throw line. While all scouts agree he has the scoring chops to be a threat at the next level, one main concern about his offensive game we continue to hear is that his aggressive nature is sometimes a problem as he gets himself into trouble. His handle is just average and he makes aggressive passes when he gets into trouble so the combination means he is going to turn the ball over a bit.
Defensively, Rider is a bit more engaged than counterparts such as Cheaney in this class who are also big-time scorers. While he is similarly disengaged on the defensive end, he does do a bit more hunting on that end looking to create offense. He created some steals and blocks as a collegian and that risk-taking may carry over to the next level. Rider is also a bit more engaged on the boards, as he pushed close to 9 a game as a senior. He'll likely be an asset there.
