If his Twitter handle is any indication, Issac Vann could be an exciting addition to the University of Maine men’s basketball program.
Vann, a slender, 6-foot-5 forward from Stratford, Connecticut, who calls himself @MrShowtyme11 on Twitter, has announced that he has verbally committed to attend UMaine starting next fall.
Vann is playing this season at Coastal Academy, a prep school in Neptune, New Jersey, which has helped produce numerous Division I players in recent years.
Judging from his highlight videos on the Internet, Vann is a slippery slasher with excellent hang time and body control who can finish with a flourish. He also appears to have a smooth shooting touch from the 3-point arc.
According to published reports, Vann chose UMaine over Fairfield of the Northeast Conference and had previously considered the likes of Quinnipiac, Iona, Central Connecticut and Sacred Heart.
“I picked Maine because the coaching staff was recruiting me the hardest and showed me they really wanted me, and I can have an immediate impact as a freshman,” Vann said via direct message on Twitter.
UMaine head coach Bob Walsh is prohibited by NCAA rules from discussing a recruit until the university has received a signed National Letter of Intent. The regular signing period begins in April.
In a blog post on GiveNGoBasketball.com, Vann thanked future UMaine teammates Devine Eke and Lavar Harewood, who signed National Letter of Intents during the early signing period in November, for encouraging him to join them in Orono later this year.
However, it was Walsh’s vision for the future that motivated Vann the most.
“I took a chance with Maine because coach Walsh has a plan, and with myself along with the other incoming freshman, we can help achieve what has not been done before,” he said, referring to winning an America East Conference championship and advancing to the NCAA tournament.
Before attending Coastal Academy, Vann played at Bunnell High School in Stratford, near Bridgeport. There, he helped the team win back-to-back conference championships in 2013 and 2014.
As a senior, he averaged 24.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and almost four assists per game.
“Some of my best attributes as a player are attacking the rim, playing above the rim and creating for myself and others off the dribble,” Vann said when asked about his skill set.
Vann ended his blog post by expressing his optimism about the next four years at UMaine.
“All Maine fans should get ready for a big year! We are building something special and are going to work toward making the NCAA Tournament,” he said.