What Grad Transfer Tramaine Isabell Could Mean for Louisville Basketball

Tramaine Isabell wasn’t on the radar until recently for the Cards, but his impact could be felt immediately.

On Friday, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello tweeted that Drexel graduate transfer Tramaine Isabell would be leaving after graduating and heading elsewhere. He has heard from Louisville, Georgia, Seton Hall, and Western Kentucky, among others.

Isabell spent his first two seasons as a valuable bench player for Missouri, but ultimately left during some not so fun years under Kim Anderson at Mizzou. While there, his minutes were limited, but he always provided a spark off the bench when needed.

He decided to transfer, and sit out at year at Drexel. That decision did Isabell Wonders for his third season of basketball. At Drexel, he saw his minutes skyrocket from 16 to nearly 35 mpg. Additionally, he went from a pedestrian 37% from the field to shooting 47% from the field in 2017-18. He also averaged 7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, and went from 21.8 points per 100 possessions his sophomore year to 34.7 pp 100 possessions last year.

Isabell is undoubtedly an offensive weapon, and a productive one at that. Sitting out a season, along with a change of scenery helped his game so much that he decided to test the NBA draft waters. After getting some feedback, he ultimately decided to go back to school and try to transfer to a more prominent program. Isabell’s main flaws are definitely his lack of size, and his turnover issues. He is listed at 6’1,” but that may be a bit generous.

Additionally, Isabell was definitely a scorer and a volume shooter first, and foremost, at Drexel. He dished out 3.4 assists a game, which is fairly average, and turned the ball over 3 times per game.

So, how does Isabell fit in with Louisville, and what are their chances?

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I believe that Isabell would have been a poor fit in a Rick Pitino system. He attempted more than 15 shots per game at Drexel, and had a below average assists to turnover ratio. That being said, Isabell could be a solid fit for Chris Mack at Louisville this year. For one, the Cards need bodies. They are particularly thin at the 1 and 2 spots, which is where Isabell would play at UofL.

The recent addition of Samford graduate transfer Christen Cunningham gives Louisville 3 players that can play point guard, or off the ball at shooting guard. Cunningham is probably the most natural point guard Louisville will have on it’s roster in 2018-19.

Darius Perry has the ability to run the point, but ultimately may fit better as a scoring guard who would benefit from having someone else around to get him open. Ryan McMahon can handle the ball, and is by far the best spot-up shooter on the team. However, McMahon is limited in his athletic ability, and ability to get other players open looks.

Isabell could potentially give Louisville the depth it so desperately needs. He is a traditional undersized point guard, and could give the Cards a fourth guard with the ability to go get some buckets when called upon. Like Cunningham, Isabell would also bring some experience and leadership that is so crucial for a team if they want to make a deep run in march.

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I think UofL should be the leader for Isabell going forward, given their prominence as a program, the obvious amenities, as well as the option to play right away.

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