At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, and today’s edition will highlight Isaac Boothe of Concord First Assembly.
Every quality team should have their own specific catalyst in order to mix things up. Concord First Assmebly was the best private school team in North Carolina last season, and it wasn’t very close. Their success came from various different avenues, but there’s no denying Boothe’s impact on a nightly basis. He typically initiated the offense and looked to set others up at a consistent rate. However, Boothe arguably shines the most as a scorer. He possesses a high IQ and the ability to create scoring opportunities out of little to nothing. Boothe loves to attack the elbows and hunt for his midrange pull-up. He can also get downhill for finishes inside or shoot the ball effectively from beyond the arc. Boothe plays tougher than his size would imply and is always prepared to sacrifice his body for extra opportunities.
We’ve seen Boothe in every possible setting, including at their open gym, where Rick Lewis stated: “To put it mildly, Isaac Booth is the straw that stirs the drink for Concord First Assembly. We’re talking about a cerebral, high IQ and fundamentally sound point guard that sports excellent quickness and savvy. Although, Booth is a “pass first” point guard, he did manage to average 9.5 PPG. In addition, Booth is a coach on the floor and will be looked upon to provide that senior leadership that will enable them to compete for the NCIAA 3A championship. One thing is for certain, when the ball is in his hands, he controls the tempo and limits the amount of mistakes. He’s a low risk, high return player that may just be the team’s most valuable player.”
Players with his skillset, mentality, and overall track record seem to find success quite regularly in the collegiate ranks. It should be obvious that Boothe has a place at the next level. He has the ability to be an immediate impact player upon arriving on campus, especially should he end up at the right fit.