By JACOB POLACHECK
Despite being one of the most highly-touted point guard prospects in the Class of 2021, Isael Silva is just like any other 17-year-old, listening to music and shopping for clothes.
“I like finding good deals and vintage clothing, but I’m also a big music guy,” Silva said. “Lil Baby is probably my favorite rapper and I like JayDaYoungan.”
At 6-foot-3, 185-pounds, Silva is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 4 point guard and No. 32 overall player in the Class of 2021 with numerous Division 1 offers.
In terms of his recruitment, Silva says that Stanford, Arizona, Arkansas, Texas, and Gonzaga are the main schools involved.
Stanford became the first to offer Silva back in June.
“They’re essentially the ‘hometown school’,” Silva said. “They’ve just been telling me I can come in and help them change and enhance the culture, help bring that team back to what they used to be and help bring them to a national championship. In doing so, they can help me reach my dreams of making it to the NBA.”
Silva also took his first and only official visit thus far to Stanford in the fall (Oct. 18-20).
“It’s really cool to be inside a program when you’re on an official visit,” Silva said. “Also, I got to be with the coaches and talk to the players to see how they like it, seeing how college practices are and the environment. Being close to home made the trip easy and I had a lot of fun with my parents and family.”
Silva then picked up an offer from Arizona in July and visited for their “Red-Blue Game” on Sept. 27.
“Sean Miller and coach Justin Gainey are the two I talk to the most,” Silva said. “Coach Miller’s message is about the pedigree of point guards they’ve had, his belief in me that I can do the same and he’d love to coach me because he was a point guard himself.”
“He talks to me about what Nico Mannion was able to do this year and tries to encourage me that way.”
Arkansas offered in November and Silva has maintained a relationship with head coach Eric Musselman ever since his time at Nevada.
“He’s been watching me for a while now since he used to be on the west coast,” Silva said of Musselman. “Last year, he came to some of my high school practices and offered me. He’s just always keeping me posted and updated. It’s still early with them, but they’re involved.”
Texas was Silva’s most recent unofficial visit from March 7-8.
“Shaka Smart and assistant coach Cody Hatt, I really fell in love with both of them. I love the school as well, but what really appealed to me about them was Shaka Smart,” Silva said. “We just really clicked. We were talking basketball for hours. It’s really cool.”
Silva was in attendance for the Longhorns 81-59 loss to Oklahoma State on March 7.
“They were on a really good winning streak, but when I was there they took a tough loss to Oklahoma State,” Silva said. “I was just really impressed with the culture that Shaka provides. Shaka and his assistants just love basketball. I could just see their passion and that’s something I share with them.”
Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte told the Austin American-Statesmen Friday that Shaka Smart will return next season.
“I was excited when I heard the news. I was definitely excited,” Silva said. “I know he deserves it. He cares so much about his players and about the game. He’s super respectful towards the game of basketball. He deserves that opportunity and I’m excited to see how he does.”
Silva is yet to take a visit to Gonzaga, but broke down his thoughts on the Bulldogs.
“Obviously, they win and they do so with really good guards,” he said. “I haven’t really talked to Mark Few much, but with their assistants, they praise me for my hard work. They see me fitting in there and helping them get to another national championship.”
Silva says that the Coronavirus Pandemic has changed his plans in terms of a recruitment timetable, but still plans on taking all of his official visits.
“I’m going to have to start thinking about summer and making a decision a little faster,” Silva said. “Once things slow down I want to take my officials.”
Silva said he’s looking for a school that lets him be himself in a family environment.
“Just a place where I’m going to feel at home and they’re going to value who I am as a player and what I can do,” Silva said. “I’m looking for a school that’s confident in me and gives me confidence, letting me play with passion and flair.”
Silva broke down his game for ZAGSBLOG:
“I can create for myself and create for others in the pick-and-roll and transition,” Silva said. “I’m a creator.”
Normally Silva would be preparing for AAU season during this time of year, but due to the Coronavirus, he is left practicing at home.
“Unfortunately, the Coronavirus has affected a lot of people, hurt a lot of lives and a lot of people’s situations,” Silva said. “I think it’s been a blessing for me so far, just being able to really get back to the basics with just me, my dad and my trainer.”
Silva says that he has been able to put on some weight this offseason, while getting back to fundamentals.
“It’s been really cool to strip back everything and just focus on what’s important, the basics,” Silva said.
Outside of basketball, Silva has also used this time to explore his hobby of music.
“One of my cousins is actually a rapper so I sometimes try to give him some lyrics and be his ghostwriter, give him some beats,” Silva said. “That’s something interesting for sure because music definitely goes along with basketball.”
“They’re both super creative,” he said. “I just like being creative. If it involves being creative, then I usually enjoy it.”
Photo: JW Media
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