Jonathan Isaac facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jonathan Isaac

Isaac with the Orlando Magic in 2019
No. 1 – Orlando Magic
Power forward / small forward
Personal information
Born	(1997-10-03) October 3, 1997 (age 27) The Bronx, New York, U.S.
High school	Barron G. Collier (Naples, Florida) International School of Broward (Hollywood, Florida) IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
Listed height	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight	230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
College	Florida State (2016–2017)
NBA Draft	2017 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6th overall
Selected by the Orlando Magic
Pro career	2017–present
League	NBA
Career history
2017–present	Orlando Magic
2018, 2023	→Lakeland Magic
Career highlights and awards
ACC All-Freshman team (2017)

Jonathan Judah Isaac, born on October 3, 1997, is a professional basketball player from America. He plays for the Orlando Magic team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before joining the NBA, he played college basketball for one season with the Florida State Seminoles. The Orlando Magic chose Isaac as the sixth overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.

Jonathan Isaac's High School Journey

Isaac at the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic

Jonathan Isaac started his high school basketball journey at Barron G. Collier High School in Naples, Florida. He played there during his first two years. For his junior and senior years, he moved to the International School of Broward in Hollywood, Florida.

To prepare for college and the NBA, Isaac also attended IMG Academy in 2016. This was like an extra year of high school. In his senior year, he was a star player, averaging 17.6 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. He helped IMG Academy achieve a great record of 21 wins and 10 losses.

During his high school years, Isaac grew a lot, about six inches! He started as a guard who could play different positions. By the end, he became a "combo forward," meaning he could play both power forward and small forward. He was chosen to play in two special All-Star games for top high school players: the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic and the Nike Hoop Summit. Experts rated Isaac as a top player, one of the best small forwards in his class. In 2015, he decided to commit to playing for Florida State after high school.

Isaac thought about entering the NBA draft right after high school in 2016. This would have been unusual for an American player at that time. However, he soon decided against it. He confirmed he would play for Florida State for the 2016–17 season instead.

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Jonathan Isaac #4 SF	Naples, FL	IMG Academy	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Jun 7, 2015
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 5th (3 SF)   Rivals: 8th  247Sports: 8th (2 SF)  ESPN: 12th (4 SF)
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources:

College Basketball Career

Before his first college season in 2016–17, Jonathan Isaac was already recognized as a player to watch. He quickly showed his skills, getting his first "double-double" (scoring double digits in two categories) with 14 points and 10 rebounds in a game against Detroit. His strong play earned him the ACC Freshman of the Week award.

Isaac continued to shine throughout the season. In one game, he scored 23 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and blocked 7 shots, which was a season high for him. He also scored 21 points in a big win against NC State. Isaac was a key player for Florida State, helping them become one of the top teams in the country.

Florida State did well in the ACC tournament, winning their first game before losing in the semi-finals. They then went to the NCAA Tournament, a big national competition. They won their first game but were upset in the next round. After his freshman year, Isaac was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team. He then decided to leave college early to enter the 2017 NBA draft, where he was expected to be a top pick.

Jonathan Isaac's NBA Career with the Orlando Magic

Starting in the NBA (2017-2018)

On June 22, 2017, the Orlando Magic picked Jonathan Isaac as the sixth player overall in the 2017 NBA draft. He officially joined the team. During his first year, he had to deal with a right ankle sprain. To help him recover and get back into playing shape, he spent some time with the Lakeland Magic, which is the Orlando Magic's team in the NBA G League.

Becoming a Starter and Injuries (2018-Present)

In his second year, Isaac became a regular starter for the Magic. He played in 64 games and set new personal bests in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks per game. He grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds in a game against the Indiana Pacers. He also matched his career high of 5 blocks in a win over the Atlanta Hawks. Soon after, he scored a career-high 20 points against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Isaac continued to improve, scoring 24 points in a game against the Toronto Raptors in October 2019. However, he faced some tough injuries. In January 2020, he hurt his left knee and was expected to miss several weeks. Then, in August 2020, during games played in the special "NBA Bubble," he tore a major ligament in his left knee (ACL) and also injured his meniscus. This was a very serious injury that required surgery. The team announced that he would miss the rest of the 2019–20 season and the entire 2020–21 season.

His recovery was long. In March 2022, it was announced he would miss the rest of the 2021–22 season as well. He also had a minor hamstring injury during his rehab.

Isaac finally returned to the court on January 23, 2023, after more than two and a half years away from playing. He scored 10 points in his return game against the Boston Celtics. However, in February 2023, he suffered another injury, a torn muscle in his left leg, which required surgery and ended his 2022–23 season. Despite these challenges, Isaac has continued to work hard to return to the game.

Jonathan Isaac's Career Statistics

NBA Regular Season Stats

NBA Playoff Stats

College Stats

Jonathan Isaac's Personal Life

Jonathan Isaac is one of six children. He has an older sister, two older brothers, and two younger brothers. His mother is Jackie Allen. Jonathan also has family roots in Puerto Rico through his grandfather. This means he could play for the Puerto Rican national team if he chose to.

Isaac grew up as a Christian and went to church. However, he says he truly embraced his faith after he joined the NBA. He has even preached at a church in Orlando.

When he was in middle school, Isaac felt anxious because he struggled to fit in with his classmates. This feeling of anxiety continued into his college years and early NBA career.

On July 31, 2020, during a game in the NBA Bubble, Isaac stood during the U.S. national anthem while other players knelt. When asked about his choice, he explained that he believes in supporting all lives through his faith. He shared that he feels everyone makes mistakes, and that understanding this can help people come together.

Isaac has also spoken at events about his beliefs. On September 18, 2021, Jonathan Isaac married his fiancée, Takita Nicole Thomas.

Jonathan Isaac's Book

On May 17, 2022, Jonathan Isaac published his first book called Why I Stand. In the book, he shares how his Christian faith has guided his life and helped him overcome different challenges.

See also

In Spanish: Jonathan Isaac para niños