Creighton pulled off a stunner on Wednesday by toppling AP’s No. 1-ranked team Kansas Jayhawks in a game that will be remembered for one name: Richard Corey Isaacs aka Pop Isaacs. The sophomore guard wasn’t just instrumental—he was the architect of the Bluejays’ electrifying 76-63 upset. But what is it about Isaacs that makes him the centerpiece of conversations?

In a YouTube clip that went viral postgame, Isaacs can be seen confidently sinking three-pointers, his fluid shooting motion, drawing comparisons to Steph Curry. The video garnered thousands of views within hours, but it was the comments that painted a clearer picture of Isaacs’ impact.

Isaacs’ performance wasn’t just a breakout—it was a clinic. He scored a season-high 27 points, matching his career-best with six three-pointers. When Kansas, trailing by 13, cut the deficit to one early in the second half, Isaacs responded with consecutive threes that silenced the Jayhawks’ comeback attempt. “Pop didn’t just shoot threes—he shattered Kansas’ confidence,” remarked a Creighton fan in the comments.

Statistically, Creighton thrives when its shooters are on point. While the Bluejays averaged 32% from beyond the arc, they lit up the Jayhawks with a 12-for-29 display (41%). Isaacs was the catalyst, and his ability to step up during pivotal moments was no fluke. But who is Pop Isaacs and what’s his story?  

From kitchen dribbles to national stardom: How ‘Pop’ Isaacs became Creighton’s rising star

Growing up in Northeast Los Angeles, Richard “Pop” Isaacs’ tryst with basketball began with a simple nickname that captured his early love for the game. His father, Rick Isaacs, recalls the moment fondly in an interview with texastech.com: “He was only about 2 years old, dribbling little basketballs around our kitchen nonstop. After a while, I’d joke and say, ‘Damn it, Pop Pop, stop making all that noise!’ The name stuck, and so did his love for the game.”

Richard himself embraces the story, reflecting in an interview with Zagsblog: “The ball has always been in my hands ever since I was a baby. It’s natural.”

While the nickname hinted at his passion, it was in high school that Isaacs’ talent began shaping his future. His father recalls taking him to Jim Gilliam Park near Inglewood, where he trained with Harold Jones, a seasoned local coach. “Because of his quickness and balance, we thought he had a chance to be really good, even though he was small at the time,” Rick said.

Growing up in Southern California’s basketball hotbed, Isaacs competed against top youth prospects like Kijani Wright and Darius Carr. By the time he started his high school career at Coronado High School in Henderson, Nevada, Isaacs was already catching the eyes of scouts and coaches. However, it wasn’t until his move to Wasatch Academy in Utah ahead of his sophomore year that he truly stepped into the national spotlight.

At Wasatch, Isaacs averaged 14.2 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.9 rebounds over his sophomore and junior years, becoming an integral part of a nationally competitive team under head coach Dave Evans. The coach, who first noticed Isaacs in seventh grade, helped him develop into a standout player. One of Isaacs’ most memorable performances came during the Kevin Durant MLK Classic, where he led Wasatch to a 94-82 win over Hamilton Heights Christian Academy with 30 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals, earning MVP honors.

Although Wasatch rose to No. 2 nationally, the team’s 2020 season was cut short by COVID-19 before they could face Montverde Academy, led by Cade Cunningham. Isaacs finished his high school career ranked No. 81 by ESPN, with multiple college offers from programs like Arizona, Oklahoma State, and UNLV. Ultimately, he chose Texas Tech, where he averaged 15.8 points per game as a sophomore and earned Third Team All-Big 12 honors.

Interestingly, the shooting guard received an offer from Kansas back in 2019, as highlighted in an X post, but his journey led him down a different path. Since transferring to Creighton this year, Isaacs has taken his game to new heights, averaging 16.3 points, 3.9 assists, and 4.8 rebounds this season with an impressive 41% field goal percentage.

Off the court, Isaacs is equally impactful. With a growing social media presence of 17.9k Instagram followers, he’s leveraged his platform to secure NIL deals with Pride of Omaha and B Run Sports, cementing his status as both a rising basketball star and a marketable name in the college sports world. But how did he find the spotlight again?

Why is Isaacs in the headline again?

Speaking of his rising reputation, Isaacs didn’t just shine against Kansas; he took the spotlight and reminded everyone why the Jayhawks might regret not locking him down sooner. The Kansas-Creighton matchup was billed as a battle between two of the nation’s top big men—Hunter Dickinson and Ryan Kalkbrenner.

But instead, the narrative quickly shifted to Isaacs. While Dickinson struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with just 6 points, and Kalkbrenner contributed 17, the No. 2 stole the show. He was relentless, sinking threes and racking up 27 points—more than the combined totals of both star big men.

“He settled down and made some really big plays for us,” said Creighton head coach Greg McDermott. “Pop hit huge shots when we needed them most.”

This statement win over Kansas has solidified Isaacs as a standout in college basketball this season. As Creighton (6-3) gears up to face UNLV, all eyes will be on the 6-ft-2 guard, whose impressive performances hint that his best is yet to come.

For Isaacs, this game was far more than just a personal highlight—it was a declaration. At 6’2”, he’s proving he’s more than just a player to watch; he’s a force to be reckoned with. In fact one could even say that, Pop Isaacs doesn’t play basketball. He orchestrates it.