5 things to know about Wizards pick Isaiah Todd originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The Washington Wizards selected Isaiah Todd from the G-League Ignite program with the 31st overall pick in Thursday's draft. The pick was acquired as a part of a trade with the Indiana Pacers. Here are five things to know about him...
- Isaiah Todd is a 6'10" power forward that can initiate his offensive game from the perimeter with moderate shooting percentages that suggest he could stretch the field at the NBA level. In the G-League, he shot 36.2% on 3.1 attempts per game off the bench. With a 53.0% true shooting mark, it reflects that his 3-point figure is not a fluke and something he'd be able to translate to an NBA game. Several of his two-point shots come in the midrange - as it is his favorite shot - and will not shy away from pull-up jumpers.
- Todd was the third-highest recruit to sign with the G-League prospect program. At one point he was regarded as the top overall recruit of his class before his ranking started to slip his senior season. Offers came in from Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina and he was committed to Michigan before he decided to go the new professional route.
- There is some concern about his shot selection which led to him being a second-round pick. Athletically and skill-wise, Todd had the making of a first-rounder as a modern big man. But while he takes a ton of midrange shots, not all of them are wise. Sometimes he settles for his midrange jumper, even after taking on a mismatch instead of driving to the rim. His go-to move is a turn-around baseline jumper and even if it's tightly contested, he'll still put it up. It's also tough considering he struggles to develop separation on the bounce.
- Todd returns to what was at one point his hometown. He was born in Baltimore before moving to Richmond, Va. to play his high school ball at John Marshall High School. Todd transferred to Trinity Academy in Raleigh, NC for his junior year and finished his career at the Word of God Christian Academy. John Wall, TJ Warren and Dez Wells all are notable alumni of the school.
- For a big man, Todd has great relocation skills on the perimeter. That is ultimately what is going to give him a shot on the Wizards is if he can be effective around the arc. Todd can execute ghost screens and rotate over to the corner for open looks, which could be a deadly option on the floor with a playmaker like Bradley Beal. There are times where he just needs to take one step back on his movement to turn a long two into an actual three.
