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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean
Shaw joins dad, uncle to play for Lopes
11/17/2020 1:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Paul Coro
GCU program figures to bring out potential in 6-7 wing player
Isaiah Shaw only has lived in Phoenix and been recruited by Grand Canyon for a few months, but his familiarity with GCU was not a problem and his trust in the Lopes staff was never an issue.
When Shaw signed with GCU, he also was signing with his uncle (Lopes head coach Bryce Drew) and father (Lopes assistant coach Casey Shaw).
The 6-foot-7 guard was drawn to GCU as a budding basketball program and Christian university, just as his uncle and father were. His list of potential colleges lasted one night of contemplation before he realized he wanted to join the Lopes too.
"GCU offered everything from the Christian background, because I'm a strong believer, and the basketball part of it was great too because they've got a great coaching staff," Shaw said. "I'm not just saying that because of my dad and my uncle. I feel like they can win the conference and go to the tournament. We could have a couple good runs."
Shaw played for his father last year at Davidson Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, but is improving his game as a senior with PHH Prep in Phoenix. Shaw averaged 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds for a 25-8 team as a junior and is coming off a 17-point, six-rebound game in Minnesota.
"Isaiah is extremely fundamentally sound," Drew said. "He plays basketball the right way. His best years are way ahead of him. Being left-handed, he has a very quick first step. He shoots the ball well from the outside.
"He hasn't scratched the surface yet. When he puts on weight and continues to grow, he's going to be a very nice player at GCU."
The Lopes coaching staff made a Zoom recruiting call with Shaw in June, but he did not commit until October after he became more acquainted with Phoenix and GCU's reputation.
On one night last month, Shaw made a list of 25 programs that he would consider. The next morning, the list was moot.
"The more I looked at the list and thought about it overnight, I thought GCU was hands down better than any of them," Shaw said.
With versatile skills, Shaw is counting on GCU's sports performance program to fill out his 6-7 frame.
"If I put on 30 pounds and keep my ballhandling, shooting, IQ and passing ability, then I could be a pretty good player," Shaw said.
He was raised on basketball as the son of Casey, a 13-year pro in the NBA, Italy and Spain, and Dana, Drew's sister and a two-time Mid-American Conference Player of the Year for Toledo.
"I'll never forget the one-on-one games with her because she makes it really hard for you to beat her," said Shaw, whose grandfather, Homer Drew, is a College Basketball Hall of Fame coach.
Shaw was born in Rome when his father was playing professionally there and attended Italian schools through the third grade. He grew up at his father's practices and games and the family basketball camps at Valparaiso.
"I know it's going to be fun playing for them and we can make some real good memories," Shaw said. "I know they want what's best for me. They know the goals I have in life and how good I want to be and I know they can help me get there."
Drew has an affinity for his nephew, but sees him as a GCU fit because of his talent, mentality and 3.8 GPA.
"He has great leadership abilities," Drew said. "He is going to be great value between the lines. He's going to be a tremendous value on campus because of his faith, character and academics."
Follow Paul Coro on Twitter: @paulcoro.
When Shaw signed with GCU, he also was signing with his uncle (Lopes head coach Bryce Drew) and father (Lopes assistant coach Casey Shaw).
The 6-foot-7 guard was drawn to GCU as a budding basketball program and Christian university, just as his uncle and father were. His list of potential colleges lasted one night of contemplation before he realized he wanted to join the Lopes too.
"GCU offered everything from the Christian background, because I'm a strong believer, and the basketball part of it was great too because they've got a great coaching staff," Shaw said. "I'm not just saying that because of my dad and my uncle. I feel like they can win the conference and go to the tournament. We could have a couple good runs."Shaw played for his father last year at Davidson Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, but is improving his game as a senior with PHH Prep in Phoenix. Shaw averaged 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds for a 25-8 team as a junior and is coming off a 17-point, six-rebound game in Minnesota.
"Isaiah is extremely fundamentally sound," Drew said. "He plays basketball the right way. His best years are way ahead of him. Being left-handed, he has a very quick first step. He shoots the ball well from the outside.
"He hasn't scratched the surface yet. When he puts on weight and continues to grow, he's going to be a very nice player at GCU."
The Lopes coaching staff made a Zoom recruiting call with Shaw in June, but he did not commit until October after he became more acquainted with Phoenix and GCU's reputation.
On one night last month, Shaw made a list of 25 programs that he would consider. The next morning, the list was moot.
"The more I looked at the list and thought about it overnight, I thought GCU was hands down better than any of them," Shaw said.
With versatile skills, Shaw is counting on GCU's sports performance program to fill out his 6-7 frame.
"If I put on 30 pounds and keep my ballhandling, shooting, IQ and passing ability, then I could be a pretty good player," Shaw said.He was raised on basketball as the son of Casey, a 13-year pro in the NBA, Italy and Spain, and Dana, Drew's sister and a two-time Mid-American Conference Player of the Year for Toledo.
"I'll never forget the one-on-one games with her because she makes it really hard for you to beat her," said Shaw, whose grandfather, Homer Drew, is a College Basketball Hall of Fame coach.
Shaw was born in Rome when his father was playing professionally there and attended Italian schools through the third grade. He grew up at his father's practices and games and the family basketball camps at Valparaiso.
"I know it's going to be fun playing for them and we can make some real good memories," Shaw said. "I know they want what's best for me. They know the goals I have in life and how good I want to be and I know they can help me get there."
Drew has an affinity for his nephew, but sees him as a GCU fit because of his talent, mentality and 3.8 GPA.
"He has great leadership abilities," Drew said. "He is going to be great value between the lines. He's going to be a tremendous value on campus because of his faith, character and academics."
Follow Paul Coro on Twitter: @paulcoro.
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