Former Purdue big man turned Utah Jazz camp player Isaac Haas should be on fans’ radars when/if he finds his way to the Salt Lake City Stars.
Earlier this month, the Utah Jazz announced the signing of center Isaac Haas. Given the fact that Utah’s roster for opening night has essentially been set since July, the move didn’t exactly make waves throughout Jazzland. Nevertheless, it was a signing that could pay dividends down the road.
At the least, Haas will be a player to watch should he find his way to the G-League’s Salt Lake City Stars, as is expected.
During his summer league stint with the Jazz, the former Purdue Boilermaker wasn’t exactly showered with opportunity to strut his stuff. In five summer league games, he averaged just three points in less than 15 minutes per contest. Rest assured, though, he’s got game that could translate to the next level.
Moreover, he’s got size that would put him in a class all his own in the Association.
At the 2018 NBA Draft Combine, Haas measured out as a legit monster; the very picture of size and strength. Among those participating in athletic testing, he was both the tallest (7-foot-3) and stoutest (over 300 pounds) player measured.
He also had the second-largest hand width at 10.5 inches and an ultra-long wingspan of 7-foot-5.
In other words, he has all the attributes necessary to act as a real deterrent in the paint defensively and an utter load for the opposition to contend with on offense.
As a senior, he showed game to match, too. He was never one to gobble up playing time during his college career, but he was effective when he played, averaging 25 points, 10 boards and two blocks per 40 minutes.
For the old school crowd, he’s also a beast in the low post. According to The Athletic, he scored more off of post-ups last year than anyone Synergy’s database, dating back to the 2006-07 season. A back-to-basket game may not be sexy on your front line, but it’s still an asset, especially off the bench.
He also shot 62 percent from the field, 76 percent from the charity stripe and shows promise as a 15-17 foot jump-shooter, which could make him a bona fide NBA prospect.
He wasn’t exactly known for his rim protection as a collegiate, but there’s definitely potential there. For comparison’s sake, his block rate of 5.8 percent was just 0.2 percent lower than Rudy Gobert‘s number (6.0) last season.
If he hadn’t suffered an elbow injury, he probably would have heard his name called on draft night.
Haas may not fit the mold of the modern NBA big man, but you can’t teach size. And the skills he does have will make him a player worth watching in the G-League next season.