University of Virginia basketball recruit Isaac Traudt and the Grand Island High School (Grand Island, NE) boys varsity basketball team takes on Vashon on Friday, December 10. The matchup takes place at 2:00 p.m. EST and will be televised nationally by ESPNU.

The Islanders have a challenging task taking down the unbeaten Wolverines (4-0), a reigning state champion out of St. Louis (MO), but the future Hoo is excited for the opportunity.

“It’s a big deal for us,” Traudt said. “I think we’re the first high school team in Nebraska to play a nationally televised game. It was really cool at first. We’re all still really excited, but at the end of the day it’s just another game. Just ready to play.”

Grand Island is off to an 0-2 start in 2021-22, falling by two points on a last second layup in the season-opener against undefeated Creighton Prep. Traudt poured in 34 points, but Creighton Prep scored five unanswered in the final minute to snatch the win. Grand Island fell to Elkorn South of Omaha by 25 points in its second game of the year.

On Saturday, December 11, Traudt and company take on another undefeated team, Blue Valley High School (Stilwell, KS) at 10 p.m. EST. This game can be seen on ESPN3.

“Yeah, I definitely don’t think we have anything to lose,” Traudt said. “We’re not expected to win. It’s always good to be the underdog. I think you play harder sometimes. We’ll play hard and see what happens.”

The 6’9” Traudt, a consensus 4-star prospect rated among the top 50 seniors in the nation by 247 Sports and ESPN, averaged 25.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per game as a junior last season. This included a school single game scoring record 57-point performance. Following an offseason in which he competed with the Nebraska Supreme on the Under Armour AAU circuit and participated in the NBPA Top 100 Camp, how has Traudt improved from his junior campaign.

“I feel a lot different,” Traudt said. “I’m more athletic and I’m stronger. I’ve added about 15 pounds or so, which has helped. My defense and rebounding are better, too. The next aspect is improving my leadership. I think I do lead by example. It’s the vocal side that I want to improve.”

The standout future Hoo discussed more than his senior season and development. He also reflected his recruitment, from the commitment he announced on August 28 to writing his signature on an official letter of intent last month. Here is a “Q&A” on recruiting and more with Traudt.

You’ve had a few months since your recruitment came to an end. Looking back, what was it like going through the recruiting process?

ISAAC TRAUDT: “It was enjoyable up until the last month. Building so many relationships, it was tough saying no to so many good people. But I still feel really good about my decision. I always thought Virginia was probably the best fit for me.”

Heading into the summer, you were open in terms of the possibility of taking official visits in the fall and perhaps beyond. You visited Creighton, Michigan State, Nebraska, North Carolina and Virginia in the summer. In the latter part of the summer, you landed offers from Gonzaga and Texas but then decided to commit without taking more trips. What made you go ahead and commit to Virginia?

ISAAC TRAUDT: “I was planning on having a decision by October. I was praying a lot about it in August. I realized I felt something different in Virginia. Deep down, I didn’t think I needed to go any further.”

You announced your commitment on August 28. When did you tell Coach Bennett you were coming? What was his reaction?

ISAAC TRAUDT: “I called him. I think it was August 25 at night. I don’t think he knew I was going to commit. He seemed surprised and happy. My family was in the living room. They knew I was calling to commit.”

Over two months later you made it official and signed with Virginia. What was the feeling like when you signed a letter of intent?

ISAAC TRAUDT: “It was definitely special. It was fulfilling a lifelong dream. I’m nowhere near where I’d like to be, but solidifying everything was special.”

Just from watching the coverage of your signing, it really seemed like the community turned out to celebrate your signing. How special was that to have so much support?

ISAAC TRAUDT: “It’s definitely cool because it doesn’t happen often here. There haven’t been that many athletes here that go through the recruiting process like I did. To know I’m backed up by so many good people is awesome.”

Did you get a similar community-type feel from UVA?

ISAAC TRAUDT: “Yeah, I definitely think so. When I took my visits, walking around campus, everyone was super welcoming and everything. The fanbase on Twitter and everything is really nice too.”

After you committed you were able to take a second official visit to UVA. Did that help you feel even more solid about your decision?

ISAAC TRAUDT: “Absolutely. I was definitely sold on everything even after the first time I went. The highlight of that second trip was hanging with Isaac (McKneely) and Leon (Bond). It was cool to hang out with them because we had all committed.”

You have spoken very highly of Coach Bennett and Coach Getter and the relationships you have with them, but was it also helpful that Virginia received commitments from Isaac McKneely and Leon Bond months before your decision?

ISAAC TRAUDT: “Yes. It helped a lot because I’m big on relationships. Knowing I would be going in with guys who are like-minded, good guys, it was important to me.”