Issac McBride joins the show to share his journey through basketball and the lessons that shaped him as both a player and a person. Isaac played at Kansas, Vanderbilt, and Oral Roberts, before most recently competing in the G League with the Santa Cruz Warriors. At ORU, he was a three-time All-Conference selection, a conference champion, the Summit League Preseason Player of the Year, and averaged over 19 points per game in back-to-back seasons.

In this conversation, we dive into Issac’s development as an athlete, his advice for players making the jump from high school to college, and the most impactful things his coaches did to support his growth. He also offers an athlete’s perspective on recruiting—what matters during official visits, how players and programs can find the right fit, and what coaches sometimes miss in the evaluation process.

Issac closes with a powerful reflection on why he chose to turn down bigger programs and more money to stay at Oral Roberts for his final season—a decision rooted in values, trust, and long-term vision. This episode is packed with insight for athletes navigating their careers and coaches looking to better serve the players they lead.

🔗Check out more from Issac👇

Instagram: @issac5mcbride

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Issac McBride

05:01 Transitioning from High School to College Basketball

07:46 The Importance of Learning from Mistakes

10:45 The Role of Inspiration and Community in Development

13:23 Fruition of Repetition

16:21 Coaching Impact on Player Development

18:49 Identifying Good Coaches and Programs

21:33 The Importance of Sacrifice in Coaching

24:27 Creating a Love for the Game

26:53 Building a Positive Team Environment

28:41 The Importance of Research in Recruitment

31:24 Building Genuine Relationships in Recruiting

34:18 Understanding the Whole Athlete

38:04 Challenges of Team Cohesion in Modern College Basketball

40:49 Finding Purpose Beyond the Game

47:26 Choosing Passion Over Money

52:57 The Role of Truth Tellers in an Athlete's Life

EP 41: Issac McBride | Development, Recruiting, and Playing for a Greater Purpose

The Strength In Numbers Podcast

EP 41: Issac McBride | Development, Recruiting, and Playing for a Greater Purpose