UConn Basketball Recruiting: 2017 PF Isaiah Whaley Commits to UConn

The UConn men’s basketball team added an immediate reinforcement to the squad as Mt. Zion PF Isaiah Whaley committed to UConn during his official visit on Thursday, according to Rivals’ Corey Evans.

Whaley will join in the class of 2017 along with Tyler Polley and Josh Carlton. Listed at 6-foot-8, 200 pounds, Whaley will help rebuild the frontcourt after this offseason’s departures.

Coming out of high school, Whaley decided to go to Mt. Zion in Maryland for a post-grad year to boost his stock. The school played a strong schedule which allowed him to get more exposure in front of college coaches and scouts alike, drawing 3-star ratings from both Rivals and Scout. He held offers from NC State, Providence, Seton Hall and Memphis, among others.

Whaley cited UConn’s new strength and conditioning coach, Carlos Daniels, as a major factor in his commitment.

“[Daniels] worked with one of my favorite NBA players, Anthony Davis,” Whaley told Scout’s Evan Daniels. “I was impressed with what he was talking about. He got him to gain weight and that's what I want him to do with me.”

As a freshman, Whaley should be able to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball as well as in transition with his athleticism. If he can add some muscle, he could become a bigger presence on the inside for the Huskies.

With Whaley’s commitment, the Huskies now have Eric Cobb, Mamadou Diarra and Josh Carlton holding down the fort down low.

Kevin Ollie and his staff are still on the recruiting trail as 4-star Sidney Wilson, who is exploring reclassifying to 2017, visited on Thursday as well. UConn is also still in the mix for talented in-state point guard Tremont Waters.

Here’s an updated look at UConn’s scholarship situation: