FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas hoops pledge Isaiah Joe has been to Bud Walton Arena on many occasions, but its starting to get real for him as he gets ready to play his senior season for Fort Smith Northside.
Joe (6-4, 170) took his official visit to Arkansas two weeks ago along with fellow in-state 2018 signees Ethan Henderson (6-9, 190) of Little Rock Parkview and Jonesboro guard Desi Sills (6-1, 180).
“It was a great visit,” Joe said. “I already feel like a part of the family and the coaches and players go out of their way to make it feel like that. I just already feel like a part of the program.”
The Arkansas trio joins IMG Academy guard Keyshawn Embery (6-4, 198) and Arlington, Texas, Grace Prep standout Jordan Phillips (6-7, 210) as players expected to sign with the Razorbacks during the early signing period of Nov. 8-15.
Phillips’ recent pledge boosted Arkansas back up to No. 1 in the SEC rankings and a top 10 national ranking in the 24/7 composite rankings of the four major recruiting services.
That re-ascension comes after being there before five-star Reggie Perry (6-10, 225) flipped his commit from Arkansas to Mississippi State.
“We really rebounded from losing Reggie by getting a couple of other great players,” Joe said. “Sad to see him go, but we still have the players to do big things and that’s what we are going to do.”
Joe helped lead Fort Smith Northside to the Class 7A state title as a junior while averaging 18.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals while shooting 44.8 percent from beyond the 3-point line.
He is the lone returning starter from that team.
“I’ve just tried to step up and be a leader with all of our young guys," Joe said. "I know it is going to be a different role for me, but I am embracing it."
Joe averaged 16 points for the Arkansas Hawks while shooting 51 percent from beyond the 3-point line in Adidas Gauntlet league play this spring and summer.
He closed his AAU campaign out by averaging 13.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 57.1 percent beyond the 3-point line during the Adidas Summer Championships in Las Vegas.
Fort Smith Northside will open its season Nov. 21 by hosting Fayetteville in a non-conference contest and then play in tournaments in Little Rock, Arlington, Texas and Blue Springs, Mo.
They’ll then travel to play Bentonville on Dec. 12 before competing in the annual Coca-Cola Classic in Fort Smith on Dec. 28-30.
“It’s going to be challenging for us early, but I really feel like we can grow and and become a really good team,” Joe said. “We’ll work hard to make sure that happens.”