Isaiah Mobley’s Ready for the NBA

USC’s Isaiah Mobley feels he’s a modern NBA fit in different roles…

Adam Grosbard (OC Register —  A year ago,  USC opted to withdraw from the NBA draft for his junior season at USC. The power forward had gone through the process, and received a to-do list between then and the next summer to prove he was ready for his professional opportunity.

Show consistency, especially as a primary scorer for the Trojans. Show versatility. And show that his sudden surge as a 3-pointer shooter during USC’s Elite Eight run was not a fluke.

Now, with the NBA draft on Thursday, Mobley feels he has accomplished what was asked of him by scouts and talent evaluators.

“I can play a lot of roles and in the modern-day NBA,” Mobley said over the phone this week.

USC’s team success in 2022 did not reach the same heights as Mobley’s sophomore season. The Trojans won 26 games and were the second-to-last team in the country to lose a game, but were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by Miami.

But Mobley took advantage of his opportunities, leading USC in scoring, rebounding and blocks, setting or matching career highs in all three categories. And he upped his 3-point attempts from 1.2 to 3.8 per game while making 35.2% of the attempts.

The ability for a big man to stretch the floor is critical for getting an opportunity in the NBA. Early in his career, it appeared like Mobley was limited to being a back-to-the-basket scorer after shooting 8-for-28 from 3-point range as a freshman.

But his 4-for-5 shooting performance against Kansas in the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore combined with his steady shooting as a junior put those concerns to bed.

So when it came time to sit down with his inner circle and make the NBA draft decision, Mobley was ready to hire an agent and make his departure from college official.

“I just felt confident with my abilities at the next level,” Mobley said. “I thought I could get a good opportunity at the pro level, and that’s the dream.”

Last year’s experience has helped Mobley feel more comfortable during his auditions. He knows what teams are looking for, and he knows what to expect from workouts.

He’s worked out for five or six teams, though he declined to name them.

“All of them have gone pretty well, drawn some teams’ interest,” Mobley said. “So can’t complain.”

Lately, he’s gotten the chance to enjoy some family time. His brother Evan — who beat Isaiah to the NBA by a season — turned 21 on Saturday, then they celebrated Father’s Day with their dad, Eric, a USC assistant, on Sunday.

For draft night, Mobley will be at a family friend’s house waiting for the phone to ring. But as he looks back on his USC career, he’s secure in the legacy he left at his alma mater.

“Mostly just the winning,” Mobley said when asked about what he’ll remember most. “We won from my freshman year all the way to my junior year. Got to the Elite Eight, had 27 wins. It was just super cool with all that, so mainly that.”

ocregister.com

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Golden Trojan
Noble Genius
Golden Trojan
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June 24, 2022 1:11 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I wonder what his NIL deal is?

Steveg
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Steveg
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June 24, 2022 2:38 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan
Steveg
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Steveg
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June 24, 2022 6:47 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

The differences between Manning and Nelson are zero. We got Nelson during all the rah rah about LR coming to USC. Nelson deserves a lot of ink also, he is going to be one of a kind and has the ability to rival Caleb Williams. What Nelson does better than Manning is run the ball. USC is really looking good at QB for the next 4 years at least.

Golden Trojan
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June 23, 2022 10:27 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

How soon before dad joins the Cavs?

Chris
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Chris
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June 23, 2022 10:54 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

They mortgaged it all for one championship year. Now they have some bad contracts. Lebron is still great, but for shorter stretches. AD is never healthy. Russ is a terrible shooter. But if both Lebron and AD are heathy they are one of the better teams. In the league. That’s not likely, but there is a little bit of hope.

John Weld
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John Weld
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June 23, 2022 4:22 pm

2023 Basketball Recruit visiting USC

https://twitter.com/wceua/status/1539814196321214464

John Weld
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John Weld
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June 23, 2022 4:28 pm
Reply to  John Weld
Golden Trojan
Noble Genius
Golden Trojan
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June 23, 2022 6:18 pm
Reply to  John Weld

Guys like that just totally dominate in High School. Just throw him the ball and he slams it in.

John Weld
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John Weld
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June 23, 2022 7:06 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

You are right, it is easy to dominate when you are 6’11” in high school but I was often told by college recruiters is that you can’t teach height and so Jacob will get a lot of offers.

Troy5543
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Troy5543
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June 23, 2022 11:49 am

“On came Marcus Allen running with the night”

Link to: Marcus running with the night

HOF19
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June 23, 2022 9:43 am

Will Eli and Peyton feel ok about this ????? …..and confirmed by Profootballtalk.NBCSports.com (PFT) >>>>>Arch Manning
@ArchManning
·
18m
Committed to the University of Texas. #HookEm

HOF19
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HOF19
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June 23, 2022 10:06 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

If by say after his junior season he is a first or second team All-American and comes out for the draft (Especially if he is First team All-American ) will NFL teams have a Major Bidding War for that First pick in the draft ?

Steveg
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Steveg
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June 23, 2022 11:20 am
Reply to  HOF19

I am waiting to see who wins out and who transfers, then talk about the nfl.

Steveg
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Steveg
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June 23, 2022 11:18 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Big question is, can Sark keep both on the roster? Ewers and Manning.

volunteerTrojan
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June 23, 2022 11:24 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

True, but another way of looking at it is more pressure on Sark. If he can’t get the Horns super competitive with Manning, then can he do it at all?

volunteerTrojan
Noble Genius
June 23, 2022 1:59 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

“…a good QB coach who got rehabbed by Saban.”

Well said. That’s pretty much it until he proves otherwise. Seven-win Sark until then.

San Diego Trojan
June 23, 2022 12:58 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

No excuses for Sark going forward. He has all the best resources, and top recruits still believe in him. I wish him well. It depends on how long of a leash he gets. If he can’t make it in Texas with what he has to work with, then I believe he finishes his career as a top assistant somewhere else. I sincerely hope he is able to handle the pressure that comes with these expectations in a healthy way

San Diego Trojan
June 23, 2022 3:12 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I agree. I didn’t know that Patterson took that position. Very interesting. I could see UT administration possibly sliding him on over to HC if Sark fails miserably

volunteerTrojan
Noble Genius
June 23, 2022 1:58 pm

“If he can’t make it at Texas…”, then he may be a candidate to replace The Cat at GASO. 😉 The timing projects out about right.

Jamaica
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Jamaica
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June 24, 2022 9:55 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Not at all jealous of Sark winning the favor of the “Manning Family” but be careful Sark. If things don’t go young Manning’s way, you might be very sorry you won all the baggage that goes with this recruitment. The expectations here could be far reaching. You have 80-plus other players on this team that may have a lot to react on how young Manning is treated by the coaching staff? First and foremost, UT better win a lot! Could be a no win situation otherwise.

Steveg
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Steveg
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June 24, 2022 10:27 am
Reply to  Jamaica

Old saying, Winning takes care of a lot of problems.

rleeholder1
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June 23, 2022 4:49 am

I have a feeling Isaih Mobey will do well in the NBA as a role player. He has all the tools and a great attitude. Wish him nothing but the best. Fight On!

Golden Trojan
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Golden Trojan
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June 23, 2022 7:39 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

From volunteer assistant to Head Coach? Not exactly the shoot for the moon proven winner hire I would expect from Bohn. College Baseball has to be the toughest sport to recruit talent. Bohn better find a guy that knows his way around. 3 years as a volunteer is not much of a resume’.

rleeholder1
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June 23, 2022 4:52 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

One of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history! What amazed me about Marcus was that he was so smooth. Watching him live in the Coliseum for USC, he didn’t look like he was running that fast until he was into the secondary and gone. Great guy too!

John Weld
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John Weld
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June 22, 2022 6:12 pm

SI is reporting that USC QB commit Malachi Nelson told Pete Thamel that he expects to have at least one million dollars in NIL deals signed while he is still in high school. He recently signed a NIL deal with h.wood Group which enabled him to buy himself a 2022 Mecedes AMG GLE 53 Couple so that he can drive himself to high school during his senior year.
California does allow high school students to start signing NIL deals.

Golden Trojan
Noble Genius
Golden Trojan
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June 22, 2022 9:15 pm
Reply to  John Weld

A seventeen yo spends $80K on a car. Money well spent? A $40K car wouldn’t do? Hope he got plenty of money to also take care of his family, and start making some investments for the future.

Golden Trojan
Noble Genius
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June 22, 2022 9:20 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

According to the 2010 United States Census, Los Alamitos had a median household income of $80,449.

Golden Trojan
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June 22, 2022 10:26 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

Just what you want to do, park a brand new $80K car in a high school student parking lot! 😂🎆🚙

rleeholder1
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June 23, 2022 4:54 am
Reply to  John Weld

John/Allen: Any truth to the rumor that Nelson may flip his commitment to Michigan?

TrojanRJJ
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TrojanRJJ
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June 23, 2022 7:04 am
Reply to  rleeholder1

rlee, See my post above. Do you think this kid is being paid $1 million in NIL “you earn it” because of his worth as a high school player? I doubt it. Of course, if he is dumb enough to think it is all about him and his talent, then there is a good chance he will flip to be a sure starter. If that happens, SC will be lucky to be rid of him.

Steveg
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Steveg
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June 23, 2022 7:09 am
Reply to  TrojanRJJ

I wonder if his NIL would become invalid if he flipped. But why would a SoCal kid want to go to Michigan in the first place. One day in December or January would be enough to get them back to CA. If he flips, which I doubt, it will open the biggest can of worms ever in ncaa football. Watch all the following flips as kids want to better their profit positions.

Chris
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Chris
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June 23, 2022 9:11 am
Reply to  rleeholder1

No shot unless he walks away from 1 mil plus in NIL money. It is 100% tied to his playing at USC.

TrojanRJJ
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June 23, 2022 7:01 am
Reply to  John Weld

My guess is his NIL is tied to his going to SC. It appears that we are seeing two totally different types of NIL models – the “pay for play” NIL and the “you earn it” NIL. The “you earn it” NIL is available only to kids playing for national brands and/or large media markets, with SC having the advantage of having both (and it is probably only national brand so situated). The majority of colleges will be in the “pay for play” NIL model, with Ohio State, Oregon, Texas A&M and Texas being the schools that come to mind.… Read more »

TrojanRJJ
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June 23, 2022 7:20 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Any one know what is Steele’s percentage of being correct is?