The Family Comfort On The Hardwood For Men's Basketball Cam Isaacs

Former teammate Pat Goralski proposed on Twitter a Cam Isaacs Week to celebrate that Isaacs hit two game-winning baskets in his first two seasons during the week of January 18-24. If that celebration happened, Isaacs would have a big support group of family and friends. 

Isaacs does not point to his decisive basket against Catholic his freshman year or his game-winning layup at Juniata his sophomore year as his favorite moment wearing the Blue and Gold. He looks at hitting a shot clock buzzer-beater twice in the last home game the junior played in his sophomore year against Catholic. It was a moment Isaacs remembered because his family was there to show its support.

"My favorite Goucher basketball moment would have to be the buzzer-beater at the end of the Catholic game to seal the win last year," said Isaacs. "That was the second time in that game alone. Having all my friends and family there screaming and jumping was something I will never forget."

Family is one of the main reasons why Isaacs chose Goucher.

"I had a couple of options when it came to playing college basketball. However, with my major, the location, and the people I met, Goucher seemed to present me with the best overall opportunity," said Isaacs. "Having my father and family at the games is very comforting. That was the deciding factor for me when choosing to play at Goucher, and they can make almost every game. If you've ever sat in the stands, I think it's pretty easy to spot or hear the Isaacs' section. My father, sister, and both sets of grandparents come to every game, and other relatives, friends, former coaches, and mentors show support."

Isaacs is the son of a basketball coach. His father, Ron, played two years at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania before injuries cut his career short, but his passion for basketball continues as a coach. Ron coached Isaacs' sister for most of her career with the Maryland Grizzlies, and he has been a high school coach at Randallstown High School for 10 years.

Basketball was always a big part of our family growing up," said Isaacs. "I fell in love with basketball on my own, but I had opportunities to test some other sports in my younger days. I played organized soccer, football, baseball, and lacrosse, but basketball never stopped."

Isaacs frequently attended practices with his father to learn more nuisances of the game.

"I went to every practice as if I was a part of the team. I would love it when a girl couldn't attend a practice, and they needed me to play. Those scrimmages were NBA playoff games for me," said Isaacs. "When my father began coaching the girls at Randallstown, I was in middle school. I started to play less and listen more. I wouldn't play with his team, but I went to every single one of those practices as well, learning strategy, moves, and whatever I could use to have an advantage over the kids my age. They all knew who I was, and they treated me like a younger brother."

Isaacs says that his father did not push him to play basketball but instead taught him to be accountable. Isaacs also learned to see the game from a different point of view.

"I learned a lot about the game from him," said Isaacs. "To this day, we watch games together, pause, rewind, and breakdown what happened. I'd say I see the game from a different view and a bit slower than others because I've been able to pick his brain. He does a good job of seeing things develop before they occur and helping me to put myself in positions to succeed."

It could be daunting having someone who knows the game come and watch you play, but Isaacs embraces it.

"He doesn't say much to me directly during the game," said Isaacs. "Most kids dread that postgame conversation with their coach of a dad. I look forward to it. In a loss, he'll ask me, "what did you see?". The reactions are usually the same from him, bad game or big game. He'll always tell me something I did well, something I could have done better, and something I need to communicate to my teammates. I think it's cool, and never once did I feel like he was too hard on me. He sees how much the game means to me, so he reciprocates that energy."

Isaacs has appeared in 50 games with 44 starts in his first two seasons at Goucher, including 11.6 points per game as a sophomore. He had 16 double-figure games in 2019-20 with two 20-point performances. In that game against Catholic, where he hit two shot-clock buzzer-beaters, Isaacs scored a career-best 27 points.

Isaacs can attribute his success to the shared passion he shares with his father, and he enjoys every minute of it!

"For me, it hasn't been hard being a coach's kid," said Isaacs. "I was always in the gym because he was in the gym. The look on his face when we talk about basketball never gets old. It has been easier for me than others because he always told me that it was my choice."