Jonathan Isaac facts for kids
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Isaac with the Orlando Magic in 2019
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| No. 1 – Orlando Magic | |
|---|---|
| Power forward / small forward | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | October 3, 1997 The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| High school |
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| 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 | |
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Jonathan Judah Isaac (born October 3, 1997) is an American professional basketball player. He plays for the Orlando Magic in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before joining the NBA, he played college basketball for one season at Florida State. The Orlando Magic chose Isaac as the sixth overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.
Contents
High School Basketball Journey
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Jonathan Isaac started his high school basketball career at Barron G. Collier High School in Naples, Florida. He played there during his first two years. For his junior and senior years, he went to the International School of Broward in Hollywood, Florida.
Later, he also attended IMG Academy for a year. This was so he could be part of the 2016 high school graduating class. In his senior year (2016), he was a star player. He averaged 17.6 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. He helped IMG Academy achieve a 21–10 win-loss record.
During his high school years, Jonathan grew a lot. He grew six inches, changing from a guard to a forward. He was chosen to play in two important All-Star games: the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic and the Nike Hoop Summit. Experts considered him a top player, ranking him among the best in his class.
College Basketball at Florida State
Before the 2016–17 season, Jonathan Isaac was already getting attention. He was considered a player to watch for the Karl Malone Award. This award goes to the best power forward in college basketball.
On November 20, he had a great game against Detroit. He scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. This is called a "double-double." For his strong play, he won the ACC Freshman of the Week award.
Later in the season, on January 18, 2017, Isaac scored 23 points. He also had 10 rebounds and a season-high 7 blocks against Notre Dame. On February 8, he scored 21 points in a big win over NC State.
Jonathan was a key player for Florida State. His team was once ranked as the sixth-best in the country. They made it to the semi-finals of the 2017 ACC men's basketball tournament. They also played in the NCAA Tournament. They won their first game but lost in the next round.
After his first year, he was named to the All-ACC Freshman Team. Jonathan then decided to enter the 2017 NBA draft. This meant he would leave college after only one year.
Professional Career with the Orlando Magic
Joining the NBA (2017–2019)
On June 22, 2017, the Orlando Magic picked Jonathan Isaac as the sixth player overall in the 2017 NBA draft. This was a big moment for him.
During his first season, he had some injuries. He sprained his right ankle in December. He also spent some time with the Lakeland Magic. This team is part of the NBA G League, which helps players get ready for the NBA.
In his second year, Isaac became a regular starter for the Magic. He played in 64 games. He set new personal bests in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks per game. On January 31, 2019, he grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds against the Indiana Pacers. A few weeks later, he scored a career-high 20 points against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Dealing with Injuries (2019–Present)
Jonathan continued to improve in the 2019–2020 season. On October 28, 2019, he scored a new career-high of 24 points against the Toronto Raptors.
However, he faced some tough injuries. On January 1, 2020, he hurt his left knee. Then, on August 2, he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a game. This is a serious knee injury. He had surgery and missed the rest of that season. He also missed the entire 2020–21 season because of this injury.
In March 2022, it was announced that he would miss the rest of the 2021–22 season too. He had not played at all that season. He also had a minor hamstring injury during his recovery.
Jonathan finally returned to the court on January 23, 2023. This was after more than two and a half years! He scored 10 points in his first game back. But soon after, he suffered another injury. He tore a muscle in his left leg and needed surgery again. This meant he missed the rest of the 2022–23 season.
Despite these challenges, Jonathan continues to work hard to get back on the court and play for the Orlando Magic.
Career Statistics
NBA
Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | Orlando | 27 | 10 | 19.8 | .379 | .348 | .760 | 3.7 | .7 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 5.4 |
| 2018–19 | Orlando | 75 | 64 | 26.6 | .429 | .323 | .815 | 5.5 | 1.1 | .8 | 1.3 | 9.6 |
| 2019–20 | Orlando | 34 | 32 | 28.8 | .470 | .340 | .779 | 6.8 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 11.9 |
| 2022–23 | Orlando | 11 | 0 | 11.3 | .415 | .400 | .556 | 4.0 | .5 | 1.3 | .4 | 5.0 |
| 2023–24 | Orlando | 58 | 2 | 15.8 | .510 | .375 | .720 | 4.5 | .5 | .7 | 1.2 | 6.8 |
| Career | 205 | 108 | 22.2 | .449 | .341 | .771 | 5.1 | .9 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 8.4 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Orlando | 5 | 5 | 27.3 | .275 | .200 | .875 | 6.2 | .4 | .4 | 1.0 | 6.6 |
| 2024 | Orlando | 7 | 3 | 21.0 | .410 | .370 | 1.000 | 4.9 | .4 | .7 | 1.3 | 6.3 |
| Career | 12 | 8 | 23.7 | .342 | .298 | .900 | 5.4 | .4 | .6 | 1.2 | 6.4 | |
College
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 | Florida State | 32 | 32 | 26.2 | .508 | .348 | .780 | 7.8 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 12.0 |
About Jonathan's Life
Jonathan Isaac is one of six children. He has an older sister, two older brothers, and two younger brothers. His family background includes Puerto Rican heritage from his mother's side. This means he could play for the Puerto Rican national team.
Jonathan was raised as a Christian. He became more deeply involved in his faith after joining the NBA. He has even spoken at a church in Orlando.
When he was in middle school, Jonathan felt anxious. He found it hard to fit in with his classmates. This feeling of anxiety continued through college and into his early NBA career.
In a game in July 2020, Jonathan chose to stand during the U.S. national anthem. He explained that his decision was based on his Christian faith. He believes that all people are supported through faith. He said that focusing on faith can help people understand each other better. He believes it can bring people closer together.
On September 18, 2021, Jonathan married his fiancée, Takita Nicole Thomas.
His Book: Why I Stand
On May 17, 2022, Jonathan Isaac published his first book. It is called Why I Stand. In the book, he shares how his Christian faith has guided his life. He also talks about how his faith helped him overcome challenges.
Images for kids
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Isaac at the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic
See also
In Spanish: Jonathan Isaac para niños
