INDIANAPOLIS โ Isaiah Swope has come a long way since his days at Castle High School.
The path he followed was by no means a traditional one. The diminutive guard played in front of empty gymnasiums as a senior because of the pandemic. His recruiting efforts were tough, and the only school he had a chance at was 26 minutes away across the Lloyd Expressway. Consider changing schools during university.
Swope always has one thing in common. He wanted that opportunity. You are witnessing what he can do when given it.
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The junior guard almost clinched Indiana State's NIT championship berth Thursday in front of a packed Hinkle Fieldhouse. Swope scored a team-high 19 points in a nationally televised game, a 79-77 loss to Seton Hall.
“He's playing with one foot and scoring 19 points against a great team,” ISU coach Josh Schertz said. “When he's healthy, he's one of the best players in the Missouri Valley.”
Seton Hall fell behind by seven points with three minutes left, spoiling the ending. Swope almost became the hero in the final seconds, but his 3-point shot was blocked. That doesn't change the changes he's shown throughout his career. The toughness he's shown since December hasn't changed.
The Castle graduate played more than half the season with loose cartilage in his knee and a torn lateral meniscus. He hasn't been able to practice and is battling pain on game day. Swope will soon require multiple surgeries to keep him healthy for next year.
Will we have one foot in the All-Missouri Valley Conference season? Good luck finding a stronger competitor.
“He's an absolute warrior,” Schatz said. “In an era where players skip bowl games and the NIT, this guy put off surgery for the sake of his team. That's all you need to know about him: his heart, his will, his toughness. . I have a lot of confidence in him to make the big shots.”
Swope averaged 15.8 points and shot 36 percent from deep during his junior season. He was second team All-MVC and placed second behind teammate Ryan Conwell in Rookie of the Year honors. No Indiana State players were available for interviews after the win.
None of this comes as a surprise to the lucky few who witnessed his return. Swope averaged 22.2 points as a senior at Castle before signing with Southern Indiana. He has improved a little bit each year, becoming one of the most dynamic guards in the Ohio Valley Conference.
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“I don't think anyone worked as hard as Isaiah during his time here,” Castle coach Brian Gibson said. “He puts in the time and has amazing natural ability. We've been blessed with some really talented players. One thing all of these guys have in common is how much they work to become better players. Itโs about whether youโre making an effort.โ
Swope entered the transfer portal after his second season. He probably chose Indiana State because he was looking for a moment like the one he scored in the second half against Seton Hall, when he scored 16 points. There were others too. Swope nuked late in his loss to Drake for the MVC Championship. He lost 26 games at Michigan State and was “the best player on the floor.” What could he have done if given the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament?
His “3'' at the NIT Championship, from just short of the mid-court logo, thrilled a very pro-Indiana State crowd. If he returns to full health, he could be able to play basketball at a higher level next year. But this night, and this season, one thing became clear.
Never exclude him. No moment is too big.
“Men in this system tend to make big leaps from year to year,” Schertz said. “I expect him to get exponentially better. When he's healthy, he's as good as anyone.”
Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland.