The 2017 basketball recruiting class is finally taking shape under second year head coach Mike White. The first step for White to get the Gators back to prominence will be done by succeeding on the recruiting trail. In 2017 forward, Isaiah Stokes (6-8,273,IMG Academy), White sees a powerful player that will come in and contribute immediately. Stokes is originally from Memphis, Tennessee and is the brother of former Tennessee Volunteer, Jarnell Stokes.
The Volunteers are also making a big push for the forward from Memphis. Just last week, Stokes took a visit to Knoxville. The first of many visits for the talented high school senior.
“I’ve obviously been there (Tennessee) before for my brother. I saw a lot of things that I didn’t see when I’ve been there before.”
After spending the weekend in Knoxville, Stokes is headed to Ames, Iowa this weekend for his official visit to Iowa State.
With so many schools after this obvious talented kid, the Gators need to do something that stands out from the other schools that are competing for him. Hopefully the connection that he has built with UF head coach White will have some impact on his ultimate decision. Stokes has formed a very close relationship with Mike White, one that he enjoys and hopes to keep during this important time in his life. Stokes says, “It’s all about trust in this process”.
“We talk a lot,” Stokes said about he and White, “He always updates me on everything that goes on in Florida.”
Aside from the job that Mike White has done in his first year as the Gators’ head coach, Stokes refers all the way back to legendary Gator coach Billy Donovan and the program that he built in Gainesville. Donovan’s ability to put guys in the pros like famous Gator big men Joakim Noah and Al Horford is still a definite draw for recruits.
“Coach Billy Donovan, he started a great foundation down there, and it’s a place for bigs.”
Donovan’s name still comes to recruits’ minds when they look at Florida. Why shouldn’t it? After all, Donovan turned Florida into a respectable program that has set high standards for the new coaching staff. Landing a player like Stokes would certainly help Mike White’s cause in Gainesville.
Isaiah Stokes is a much sought after basketball player. He has many opportunities to visit notable schools in the coming months. One of these visits for this heavily pursued basketball star will include a stop at the University of Florida in October.