MBB Signs Pair to NLIs for 2019-20
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami men’s basketball head coach Jim Larrañaga announced Wednesday the signing of Anthony Walker and Isaiah Wong to National Letters of Intent for the 2019-20 school year. Wednesday was the first day of the November signing period.
Walker and Wong each are four-star recruits who are rated among the top 100 players nationally in the latest Rivals recruiting rankings. Walker is a 6-foot-9, 210-pound power forward from Nottingham, Md., and Wong is a 6-foot-3, 170-pound guard from Trenton, N.J.
“We are excited to welcome Anthony and Isaiah into the Miami basketball family,” Larrañaga said. “They both are young men of great character who fit our culture perfectly and give us versatility on both sides of the ball. We are looking forward to them joining our program and putting on a Miami uniform.”
Anthony Walker
6-9, 210, Power Forward
Nottingham, Md.
Brewster Academy
• Rated as 4-star recruit by Rivals; listed No. 76 nationally by Rivals and No. 17 power forward
• Helped Perry Hall (Baltimore, Md.) to back-to-back state championships, including its first-ever state championship in 2016-17
• Averaged 18.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg for Perry Hall
• Transferred to Brewster Academy for his senior season
• Long wingspan, great shot blocker
• Plays for Baltimore’s Team BBC AAU basketball program
• Coached by Jason Smith at Brewster Academy and George Panageotou at Perry Hall
• Picked Miami over Pittsburgh, Illinois and Boston College
“Anthony Walker is a versatile forward who hails from one of the most talent-rich areas in the country and an area that we have recruited for many years. Anthony is just scratching the surface as to the type of player he can become and his experience winning state championships in high school, playing for the Team BBC program and now at one of the nation’s premier prep school programs will continue to help his development leading up to college. Anthony comes from a great family and we’re excited about his future.”
Isaiah Wong
6-3, 170, Guard
Trenton, N.J.
Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast Catholic HS
• Athletic combo guard is a consensus 4-star recruit
• Ranked No. 71 nationally and No. 10 guard by Rivals
• Also ranked No. 78 nationally, No. 16 guard and No. 3 recruit in New Jersey on the ESPN100 list
• Averaged 22.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 3.3 apg last year for Monsignor Bonner
• Playing for AAU team WE-R1 last year, he averaged 19.3 ppg while shooting 45 percent from 3-point range
• Coached by Kevin Funston at Monsignor Bonner
• Picked Miami over Villanova, UConn, Clemson and Pittsburgh
“Isaiah Wong is a young man who we coveted for two years,” Larrañaga said. “We believe he has excellent traits for an ACC guard. Isaiah has the ability to play multiple guard positions, he can attack the basket and score in a variety of ways, he has speed and also possesses tremendous athleticism and leadership abilities. He comes from an extremely well-coached program and a great family. I am excited to have him join our program here at Miami.”
