5-Star guard Isiah Harwell cites as a major reason for his commitment to Houston over several elite programs Gonzaga, Texas and Cal

September 13, 2024 Michael Mills other 0

Isiah Harwell, an exceptional 5-star shooting guard from Wasatch Academy in Utah, announced his commitment to the University of Houston on Thursday. Recognized as the top shooting guard and the No. 10 overall recruit in the 2025 class by 247Sports, Harwell chose Houston over several elite programs such as Texas and Gonzaga.Coach Kelvin Sampson of Houston had a significant impact on Harwell’s decision, as his coaching style and commitment to player development resonated with him.“Coach Sampson is a really great guy,” Harwell shared with ESPN. “He understands what players need to do to advance their careers. We discussed my goals—shooting 38-40% from three, grabbing six or seven rebounds, and defending the opponent’s best perimeter player. He emphasized that if you don’t play defense, you won’t see the court at Houston.”

Harwell experienced a knee injury during his junior season at Wasatch Academy, which led to him missing the summer grassroots circuit. Nevertheless, the coaching staff at Houston kept in touch and showed great patience as he went through his recovery.

Isiah Harwell was even given the opportunity to reclassify and enroll a year early, potentially redshirting, but he ultimately chose to complete his senior year in high school. The family-oriented environment at Houston and Coach Sampson’s steadfast support during his injury played a crucial role in his decision.

Houston was very consistent recruiting me during my injury and rehab,” Harwell said. “On my visit it was a family atmosphere. I got to spend a lot of time with the players, and we ended up sitting around and they were talking [about] how they all arrived at Houston. Their culture is real.”

Harwell becomes part of the elite recruits guided by Sampson, following in the path of Jarace Walker, the No. 8 overall pick in 2023.

The strong winning culture and coaching at Houston were pivotal in securing the commitment of 5-star Isiah Harwell. He highlighted the program’s culture and coaching staff as significant factors in his choice.

“I chose Houston because the culture fit. I feel like I can thrive and succeed there and I believe in Coach Sampson and the whole staff,” Harwell told Joe Tipton of On3.

“Coach Sampson has a way with speaking that just makes me motivated and ready to play. He also has a lot of experience and knows what he’s looking for.”

Before a knee injury set him back during his junior year, Isiah Harwell demonstrated his skills by averaging 16.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists over six games in the EYBL Scholastic circuit. He also played a crucial role in helping the USA Basketball U16 team win a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA Americas Championship.

Harwell’s commitment is a significant accomplishment for the Cougars, marking their first pledge in the 2025 class and making him only the second five-star recruit to choose Houston since 2012, after Jarace Walker in 2022. Additionally, his decision extends Houston’s streak of recruiting ESPN 100 prospects for four consecutive years.

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