True “Hoop Junkies” know the name Isaiah Todd. The Maryland-born 13-year-old, who now plays for USA National Select & Slam City head man Coach Francis. The current Terror Squad combo forward, is viewed as one of the top prospects regardless of class in the hoop world. After contributing heavily to Slam City’s championship run in the Tip Off Classic, Todd’s talent isn't visible only to scouts and coaches - anyone in the gym with a set of eyes can see his tools/skills are just silly.
Throughout the weekend the nations #1 team – made up of superstars in their own right; played Todd at all 5 positions; at one point the 6’7 stud even ran the point guard position. In Todd’s first visit ever to the Spotlight it only took us minutes to notice his fluidity running the floor, the guard-like handle, his passing, his shooting touch and mechanics -- and, oh yeah, a big man's size -- makes it no surprise that since hooking up with Coach Francis and the Slam City bunch Todd is quickly ascending up the national ranking board.
If prior performance is any indicator, the most elite middle school players in the world continue to suit up for Coach Francis and this weekend was no different as Todd and the Slam City group continued their winning ways defeating both the New York Gauchos and Team IZOD by the same 52-50 score.
Isaiah Todd has been a phenomenon on the circuit since suiting up for the Terror Squad - people are watching because few have seen anything like him — a 6-foot-7 player who can pass, shoot, block shots, run the floor and give defenders fits with ball-handling skills that at times make him look more point guard than post player. His broad shoulders and lengthy arms most certainly will be able to add weight and strength as the natural 7th grader matures.
Coach Francis has only worked with Todd for a couple of months, but he's already seen enough to throw his name into the mix with some of the greats at the middle level; his performance at the Tip Off Classic did nothing to change that!
"Isaiah is a transcendent player that has the potential to change the game” Francis stated “his package and skill set is a hybrid of many great players and yet he has no clue on how good he is or can be, that’s the scary part. I absolutely hate comparing kids to pro’s but to understand his potential he communicates defensively like a Kevin Garnett. He has the passing feel and ability of someone like Kevin Love. ... and he scores like a Tim Duncan, in creative ways and very fundamentally sound but craziest of all he’ll likely end up playing the wing"
The perk of playing in the Spotlight is that Todd will continue to be tested which will only serve to take his game to another level as he and the Terror look to be the first team to escape the Grand Finale undefeated.
