Creighton’s newest addition to the 2023-24 roster is in the fold as former Grand Island sharpshooting four-man Isaac Traudt has committed to CU. Traudt spent his freshman season in 2022-23 redshirting at Virginia. One day after Creighton’s season ended in a 57-56 loss to San Diego State in the Elite Eight, Traudt announced that he was entering the transfer portal with the intention of finding an opportunity to play somewhere closer to home.
Many immediately assumed that a two-horse race was underway between in-state rivals Creighton and Nebraska to land the former highly rated recruit. But on Friday morning, Traudt picked the Jays. Creighton was on his list of final schools out of high school along with Virginia, North Carolina, Nebraska, Michigan State, and Gonzaga.
“We are excited that Isaac is coming home to play at Creighton,” Greg McDermott said in a press released posted to GoCreighton.com. “I’ve always been impressed with his work ethic and passion for the game of basketball. His versatility is a perfect fit in our system. We can’t wait to get him on campus this summer!”
Traudt was a star during his final three seasons at Grand Island High School. As a sophomore in 2019-20, he averaged 16.7 points. 6.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. He shot 47.2% from 2, 36.1% from 3, and 76.7% from the charity stripe on his way to earning Honorable Mention All-State acclaim from the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World-Herald. As a junior in 2020-21, Traudt put up 25.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game on 58.1% shooting from 2, 36.9% shooting from 3, and 79.1% shooting from the free throw line. After that campaign, he earned First Team All-State recognition from both the Lincoln Journal Star and the Omaha World-Herald.
The summer prior to his senior year of high school Traudt teamed up with current Bluejay freshman Jasen Green on Nebraska Supreme’s 17U Under Armour circuit squad. Traudt averaged 12.9 points and shot 39.3% from 3-point range in 20 games on the national stage. In his follow-up senior season for the Islanders, Traudt averaged 23.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He closed out his final year of high school hoops by shooting 64.2% inside the arc, 32.1% from deep, and 84.7% at the line. He finished his high school career with six 30-point, 10-rebound double-doubles. He scored 30+ points 13 times, including a Class A state record 57 points in a 76-74 overtime win against Norfolk on February 6, 2021.
All of that made Traudt a consensus 4-star prospect coming out of high school. In their respective 2022 high school recruiting rankings, ESPN had Traudt rated 51st overall and 5th at his position; 247Sports had him 64th overall and 9th at his position; and Rivals slotted him at 67th overall and 10th at his position.
High School Hoops Talent Evaluators on Isaac Traudt:
“Traudt scored more than 1,500 points during his high school career and was a three-year starter at Grand Island, averaging north of 23.0 points in each of his last two seasons with the Islanders. Traudt is first and foremost an incredibly talented jump shooter. At his size, his ability to space the floor and hit difficult shots both off the dribble and off the catch is what makes him a special prospect. He’s not one-dimensional, however. Traudt also uses his length, shooting touch and toughness to score effectively around the basket, and he’s athletic enough to throw it down in traffic as well. He played his last season of AAU ball alongside Jasen Green with Nebraska Supreme on the Under Armour circuit, giving him a connection with at least one of his future Creighton teammates before he even sets foot on campus.” – Jacob Padilla, Staff Writer at HailVarsity.com
“At 6-10 has a good physique to put more mass on and gain strength. A mobile big man who runs the floor well. Solid athlete. Doesn’t have the quickest feet but is not stiff and is capable of defending on perimeter in screening situations. Quality long distant shooter for a big man. Can really stretch the defense. Prefers to play facing the basket, but has the dribble game to get into the interior and score. Comfortable with the basketball and has a feel for passing. Embraces contact. Good rebounder and will improve as a rebounder with added strength. More of a positional defender than a rim protecting shot blocker.” – Jerry Meyer, Director of Basketball Scouting at 247sports.com
“Traudt is one of the more highly skilled forwards in the [2022] senior class, with athletic bounce. He is special because he can function as a triple-threat player who can contribute as a shooter, passer and driver with size.” – Paul Biancardi, ESPN National Recruiting Director for Boys High School Basketball
“A skilled, stretch-four. Can really shoot the ball. Has a high and repeatable release and a good base. He is a good passer in the half-court. Has legit size and frame. Adequate vertical pop. Questionable lateral quickness. Is a good area rebounder. Can play with back to the basket, but prefers to face-up. Can get into his one and two dribble pull-up when attacking a closeout. Good team defender with an understanding of rotations.” – Jamie Shaw, National Recruiting Analyst for On3.com
Side Note: Creighton adding Isaac Traudt brings a first of its kind scandal to the program. Every offseason often inadvertently produces a battle for the rights to a jersey number. In high school, AAU, and at Virginia, Traudt wore the No. 23 that sophomore combo guard Trey Alexander has repped since high school. But that’s not where the real turmoil will take place. Isaac’s coaches and teammates at UVA called him “fish,” an obvious reference to his last name. The trouble with that is it’s the same nickname Creighton players have bestowed upon freshman walk-on point guard Evan Young. If the involved parties are fond of both the number and the name, those open gym sessions this summer might turn into a weekly NIL event at the Championship Center.
Highlights from Isaac’s preseason scrimmage with Virginia this past season.