UMass Grabs Division II Sniper From Transfer Portal
Isaiah Placide knew where he wanted to be from the start.
After a season filled with three-point question marks, UMass Basketball made it known shooters would be at the top of the priority list heading into the transfer portal. After signing a Division II talent in Donovan Brown, Frank Martin and his coaching staff went right back to it with sharpshooting graduate student Isaiah Placide.
Standing at 6-foot-4, and 200 pounds, Placide boasts the size and strength most shooters don’t have. He also brings an extremely quick release to pair with an athletic frame.
Last season, at Eckerd College, he started 29 games. The Hampton, Ga., native finished No. 40 in the nation for Division II in points per game with 20.1, leading his team by more than nine points.
“I wanted to go to the next level because my skills are worth more than where I’m at right now,” Placide told Minuteman Command. “I just wanted to get a new experience, with a new system and a new level of competition.”
His three-point percentage sat at a solid spot last campaign at 35.1 percent, as well as an excellent 40.9 percent the season prior. Last year’s Minutemen had no one above the 35 percent mark, and no returning player sits above the 22 percent clip.
“After watching the film, they struggled this year with shooting behind the perimeter,” he said. “I’m that type of guy. I consider myself a scorer, but most definitely a shooter.”
Based on his statistics, it is obvious he can shoot at a high level, but he has also shown he can defend at a high level. Last season, he totaled 20 steals, which ranked second on his team, while also recording six blocks as a shooting guard. He also showed small stints of rebounding excellence last campaign, averaging 4.1 a game.
His relationship with the Minutemen started back in his home state of Georgia. His youth coach had a relationship with UMass assistant Anthony Evans, who is also the Director of Player Development. When Placide officially entered the portal, Evans called him, and the recruiting process began.
At the time, Placide was receiving interest from UNC-Asheville, Cal State-Fullerton and Iona, but UMass was always at the top.
“(I liked) everything (about UMass),” he said. “The campus was nice. The living situation was nice. Everyone on the staff was great…Also, my parents liked them, so that was a big thing too. If I have a feeling about a coach and my family does too, that’s an automatic plus.”
While Placide highlighted the family aspect of the decision, he also dwelled on UMass’ basketball team, comparing them to a family. He was impressed with the high standards set by the coaching staff, as well as the similar positive energy towards the sport of basketball everyone had.
“That’s who I am as a person,” he said. “Every time I walk in the room, I’m smiling. I don’t allow bad energy or low energy around me. Every room I come in, you are going to know I’m in there.”
Finally, Placide emphasized his eagerness to put on the Maroon and White and get started in front of the Mullins faithful.
“I’m very excited the process is over with. I’m excited to just come in and appreciate the fans, the friends I meet and just be coached by the staff at UMass while playing with my teammates.”
His energy behind the arc will be a weapon this season as the Minutemen load up for their debut in the Mid-American Conference. With the likes of sharpshooter Marcus Banks and others projected to come in as well, it will be interesting to see where the Georgia native slots in.
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