Isaac Humphries signs with the University of Kentucky, will play this season
Isaac Humphries, the 7-foot centre out of Sydney, Australia, has signed with the University of Kentucky – reclassifying to the class of 2015 to begin his freshman year for the Wildcats this upcoming NCAA season.
Isaac Humphries | Credit: FIBA, via Basketball Australia
Humphries is expected to arrive on campus this weekend.
Having received offers from the likes of Kansas, Arizona, Illinois, Wichita St and Oregon, as well as strong interest from Duke, Humphries committed to the Wildcats in late May – with the program more than willing to accommodate his desire to reclassify.
Happy to finally announce that I will be attending the University of Kentucky and reclassifying to 2015 #BBN
— Isaac Humphries (@IsaacHumphries7) August 20, 2015
Assistant coach Tony Barbee, along with head coach John Calipari, led the recruitment effort for the Australian big-man.
I watched Isaac when he first came over to the United States in high school in Indiana and was impressed with his skill and size,” head coach John Calipari said. “He reminded me of a much bigger Josh Harrellson. He’s very skilled, has great hands and is a great passer. To have a 7-footer who just turned 17, he has a lot still in front of him, and the best part is he wants the challenge of playing at Kentucky.
Kentucky's recruitment of the Humphries began in January of this year, with Calipari visiting La Lumiere school to watch the 'Lakers' take on Wasatch Academy - a game that saw Humphries post an impressive 21 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks.
Humphries visited the University of Kentucky campus last weekend, joined by Canadian Kentucky commit Jamal Murray - whom Humphries speak very highly of.
Kentucky’s 2015 recruiting class also features elite big-man - and ESPN's #2 ranked player for the Class of 2015, Skal Labissiere - as well as ESPN’s #1 point guard for the Class of 2015, Isaiah Briscoe. Also joining Kentucky is New Zealand big-man Tai Wynyard, with the growing expectation that he’ll join the program in December.
Humphries broke-out as an elite prospect after an impressive showing for the Australian national squad at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship in Dubai. The 7-footer averaged an impressive 18.9 ppg (58% FG, 83% FT), 11.6 rpg, 1.6 apg and 3.3 bpg – highlighted by his record-setting 41 pt effort against Canada. Humphries also led the tournament in efficiency with a staggering 25.6 EFFPG.
After attending Basketball Australia’s National Centre of Excellence for the most-part of 2014, Humphries moved to La Porte, Indiana to attend La Lumiere School – helping them to a 20-2 record. Upon arriving in the US, Humphries was recognized as one of the top big-men in high school basketball, earning the #41 spot on ESPN’s 2016 Rankings.
Despite being labeled as a potential ‘one-and-done’ talent, Humphries would be too young to declare for the 2016 NBA Draft – so the expectation is that he’ll remain a Kentucky Wildcat for at least two years.
Humphries will join Ben Simmons (LSU), Jonah Bolden (UCLA) and Deng Adel (Louisville) as the elite Australian talent making their college debuts in 2015.