UConn fans may remember the career path of Hilton Armstrong. Through three years in Storrs, the 6-foot-11 center had only carved out a role as a backup big man, playing only one position, and had a minimal effect on the court even in his junior season. That’s a rather unremarkable collegiate arc, so even those unfamiliar with Armstrong can probably see where this is going: in his senior year, Armstrong underwent a massive improvement, became an impact player on both ends of the court, and was taken 12th overall at the NBA Draft.
If only the big movements of Armstrong’s story apply to Isaiah Whaley, that’s in large part because of how rare something like this is.