Isaiah Wong named top 10 players to know in NCAA MW Region

Miami guard Isaiah Wong was named one of “The Stars of March: The 10 players to know in the Midwest Region.”  The fifth-seeded Hurricanes will play 12th-seed Drake in the first round of the Midwest Region on Friday at 7:25 PM ET on ESPN in Albany, New York with the game to be televised by TBS.

Isaiah Wong leads Miami averaging 16.2 points per game and was the 2022-23 ACC Player of the Year. Tucker DeVries of Drake was also named as one of “The 10 players to know in the Midwest Region.” DeVries was the 2022-23 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and outstanding player of the conference tournament.

Wong has shown the ability to lead Miami in postseason games. In their run to the Midwest Regional final in 2022, Wong averaged 16.25 points per game. That included 43 points in the first two rounds. Wong averaged 4.25 rebounds per game, in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, with 2.25 rebounds and 1.25 assists.

Wong finished in the top 15 of the ACC in multiple categories this season. The 36 points Wong scored versus Cornell in December were the most by an ACC player this season. Led by Wong Miami led the ACC averaging 79.41 PPG this season. Wong is one of four Miami players averaging in double figures.

"ISAIAH WONG | G | MIAMIStats: 16.2pts, 4.3reb, 3.4ast, 1.4st (45% FG, 38% 3pt, 84% FT)“The ACC Player of the Year was a true stat-stuffer for Miami this season. Usually known for his ability to create his own offense and score in bunches, Isaiah Wong upped both his efficiency and ability to create for others this season, combining with Jordan Miller, Nijel Pack and Norchad Omier to give the Hurricanes four potent offensive threats.Collectively, Miami finished with a top-15 offense in the country this season and the versatility of Wong’s attack was a big reason why. He thrives in transition (ranking in the 92nd percentile of college players, per Synergy Sports Technology) where his athleticism and quick reactions can come out.But he’s also made great strides in the half-court, both as a shot-maker and with his ability to come off ball-screens. Miami opens with a dangerous 5-12 game as they take on a Drake team that went 27-7 and ran away with the Missouri Valley tournament championship.”"

Wooga Poplar has also shown the ability to help carry the offensive load for Miami. Poplar reached double-figures in three of the last four games this season including his ACC-high 18 versus Pittsburgh. Poplar could be a wild card versus Drake. Wong is having his most efficient season in college.

Wong set career highs shooting 45.3 percent from the field, 83.6 percent from the free throw line and 37.8 percent on three-point attempts. This season Wong has become more of a facilitator averaging 3.4 assists per game which were also a career-high. Miami will need Wong to continue to be efficient versus Drake.