Florida forward Isaiah Stokes has transferred to the University of Memphis.
The 6’8″, 270 pound forward spent the last two years with the Gators before making the move.
Former Florida forward, Isaiah Stokes has committed to Memphis. #GTG #MemphisMBB pic.twitter.com/1FsHlkEM5h
— College Basketball and Recruiting (@EditsRecruiting) August 28, 2019
The move comes after appearing in 26 games for the Orange and Blue last season. Stokes tallied 2.7 points, 0.4 assists and 1.0 rebounds a contest during the 2018-19 campaign.
The redshirt freshman’s first season for Florida was spent in rehab. The big man sat courtside during the 2017-18 season recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in high school.
After contributing off of the bench at UF, Stokes will look to play a bigger role for Memphis. He is also familiar with Tiger’s head coach Penny Hardaway. Hardaway coached Stokes during his AAU days as a developing player.
Penny Hardaway makes official the addition of 6’8” 270 pound forward Isaiah Stokes to the @Memphis_MBB program. The Memphian played @GatorsMBK last year before transferring.
— Mike Ceide (@MCeide_WREG3) August 28, 2019
While Stokes will be a fine addition to Hardaway’s squad, he will have to wait until the 2020-21 season to hit the court for Memphis. Stokes will have to sit out this season due to NCAA transfer rules.
Once Stokes becomes eligible, Hardaway will have the opportunity to unlock the forward’s potential.
Isaiah Stokes is a worthwhile gamble for Penny Hardaway. If he’s engaged, he can be a huge matchup nightmare in the college game.
— John Martin (@JohnMartin929) August 28, 2019
Stokes won’t the first member of his family to represent Memphis Tigers basketball; his older brother, Jarnell Stokes, was an All-Conference player at Memphis and was drafted by the local Memphis Grizzlies in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Both Stokes brothers grew up in Memphis.