Recruiting on the South Plains: 2014 C Isaiah Manderson Player Profile

Both literally and figuratively, this is a huge commitment for Texas Tech as part of the 2014 recruiting class.  Texas Tech was replacing a ton of talent and bodies in the front court from last year, Dejan Kravic, Jaye Crockett, Jordan Tolbert and Kader Tapsoba.  They are all gone and they were a huge part of Texas Tech's success last year.  Add to those players being gone, Aaron Ross, who injured his knee and will be out for the beginning part of the 2014-2015 recruiting season.

Texas Tech had to recruit like mad-men to grab some depth in the frontcourt.  It was vital, and by the time that the basketball national signing day had passed, Texas Tech had two additional post players in Jamison and Odiase, but no center.  Not until Friday.

Texas Tech not only secured a center, but they also secured their highest rated player of the 2014 class in Isaiah Manderson, who is from Florida (as is Justin Gray).  Texas Tech received a commitment from their highest rated player in August, darn near a week and a half before classes are set to start.  Congrats to all of the coaches that made this happen.

FRONTCOURT
ISAIAH MANDERSON	CENTER
HT/WT: 6-11/250 HIGH SCHOOL: Oldsmar Christian School (Oldsmar, FL) VIDEO: Clip 1 RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals | Scout | ESPN 70 | 24/7 Sports 88 CUMULATIVE RANKING: 0.8736 VTM PROFILE DATE: August 17, 2014 OFFERS: Temple, Texas Tech, Oregon St., Florida St., George Mason, Georgia, Iona, Jacksonville, Kansas St., Maryland, Mississippi St., Tennessee, Tennessee St., Tulsa, UCLA, UNLV

THE PLAYER SPEAKS | Manderson originally committed to Oregon State, but was released from his scholarship after Oregon State's head coach Craig Robinson was fired.  manderson looked around, Texas Tech, Temple and Cleveland State before deciding on the Red Raiders.

Per Wreck'Em 24/7, Manderson said he was happy to be part of the Texas Tech family:

"I'm blessed," he said. "I'm definitely blessed. There are a lot of kids out there that are looking for opportunities like this. I'll get my education. I guess everything worked out."

Manderson also was excited to get to Lubbock and felt he had a terrific opportunity:

"The campus is beautiful - the coaches, the fans. It's a great situation for me," he said. "I get to play for a Hall of Fame coach [Tubby Smith] and he can make me a better player."

SCOUTING REPORT | I think I saw where someone thought that Manderson was slow, or maybe not moving full speed and I'd agree, at least not in that video, but the talent is there.  He's got really nice athleticism and he doesn't look like a lumbering 6'11" center that can't move, he's just not moving all that fast in these all-star games.  I don't think that's indicative of his style of play, just the general nature of the game. I'm not a real big fan of Manderson taking the ball down a little low to put the ball back.  He does have some really nice ability to re-jump and put the ball back.  Manderson did average 15 points a game and 8 rebounds.

Overall, I think that Manderson will play this year because the frontcourt devoid of a real center.  There were big bodies, but not a true center.  Manderson is a true center.  If you are thinking about having some crazy expectations about Manderson, then check those at the door.  What you should be hoping is that guys like Jamison and Williams are picking up the big scoring loads from the graduated Jaye Crockett and Dejan Kravic as well as the transferred Jordan Tolbert and Dusty Hannahs.  What I think is realistic is If Manderson can take hold of a back-up center spot and play about 15 to 20 minutes a game.

Isaiah, welcome to Texas Tech and Git Your Guns Up!

2014 Class

BACKCOURT
JUSTIN GRAY	SHOOTING GUARD
HT/WT: 6-4/180 HIGH SCHOOL: Berkeley Prep (Tampa, FL) VIDEO: Clip 1 | Clip 2 RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals | Scout N/R | ESPN 80 | 24/7 Sports 85 CUMULATIVE RANKING: 0.8381 VTM PROFILE DATE: October 4, 2013 OFFERS: Harvard, S. Florida, Stanford, Texas Tech and UCF
KEENAN EVANS	POINT GUARD
HT/WT: 6-3/170 HIGH SCHOOL: Berkner (Richardson, TX) VIDEO: Clip 1 RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals | Scout | ESPN 69 | 24/7 Sports 83 CUMULATIVE RANKING: 0.8344 VTM PROFILE DATE: October 16, 2013 OFFERS: Colorado, Colorado St., Fresno St., North Texas, Texas St., Texas Tech Utah St., UTEP, Western Kentucky, Wichita St.
DEVAUGNTAH WILLIAMS	COMBO GUARD
HT/WT: 6-3/205 JUCO: Missouri State-West Plains (West Plains, MO) VIDEO: Clip 1 RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals N/R | Scout N/R | ESPN N/A | 24/7 Sports 85 CUMULATIVE RANKING: 0.8500 VTM PROFILE DATE: March 10, 2014 OFFERS: Arkansas, Iona, Loyola Chicago, Kent St., Southern Miss, Texas Tech and UTSA
FRONTCOURT
ZACH SMITH	SMALL FORWARD
HT/WT: 6-7/205 HIGH SCHOOL: Plano East (Plano, TX) VIDEO: Clip 1 RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals | Scout N/R | ESPN N/R | 24/7 Sports 70 CUMULATIVE RANKING: 0.700 VTM PROFILE DATE: October 6, 2013 OFFERS: Creighton, Marquette, Nebraska, San Jose St., St. Bonaventure, TCU, Texas Tech, UTEP, Washington St., Wright St.
JUSTIN JAMISON	POWER FORWARD
HT/WT: 6-9/260 JUCO: Missouri State-West Plains (West Plains, MO) VIDEO: Clip 1 RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals N/R | Scout | ESPN N/A | 24/7 Sports 84 CUMULATIVE RANKING: 0.8400 VTM PROFILE DATE: March 11, 2014 OFFERS: Florida St., Kent St., Oregon, Pittsburgh, SMU, TCU, Texas Tech, Wichita St.
NORENSE ODIASE	POWER FORWARD
HT/WT: 6-9/265 HIGH SCHOOL: Elev8 Sports Academy (Delray Beach, FL) VIDEO: Clip 1 RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals N/R | Scout N/R | ESPN N/A | 24/7 Sports 84 CUMULATIVE RANKING: 0.8163 VTM PROFILE DATE: March 16, 2014 OFFERS | Georgia, Old Dominion, Texas Tech and TCU
ISAIAH MANDERSON	CENTER
HT/WT: 6-11/250 HIGH SCHOOL: Oldsmar Christian School (Oldsmar, FL) VIDEO: Clip 1 RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals | Scout | ESPN 70 | 24/7 Sports 88 CUMULATIVE RANKING: 0.8736 VTM PROFILE DATE: August 17, 2014 OFFERS: Temple, Texas Tech, Oregon St., Florida St., George Mason, Georgia, Iona, Jacksonville, Kansas St., Maryland, Mississippi St., Tennessee, Tennessee St., Tulsa, UCLA, UNLV