aaron bradshaw
With Hunter Dickinson back for his junior season, the need for a portal big in 2022-23 becomes much less pressing even with the departure of Moussa Diabate.
Still, it is difficult to imagine a situation where Michigan doesn't add an additional big from the high school ranks for the 2023-24 season, as Dickinson will presumably bolt for the professional path if viable. If that scenario comes to fruition, 2022 signee Tarris Reed would be the only true scholarship center on the roster. Let's take a look at the board heading into the upcoming HS live evaluation periods over the next two weekends.
Papa Kante
Height/Weight: Listed at 6'10 and 225 pounds. Probably closer to a legit 6'8.5 - 6'9 and 215 - 220lbs.
High School/AAU: South Kent School (CT)/Nike EYBL New York Renaissance (NY)
Mainstream Ranking: 4-star/80 - 140 Overall
EM Ranking/Evaluation: Projects to have the impact of a 70 - 100 level prospect based on what I've viewed live so far. Superb defender with good agility and length that is switchable on the perimeter. Should be ready to contribute defensively from the day he steps foot on a college campus based on his defensive instincts in tandem with the size + movement.
Offense was essentially limited to offensive putbacks and finishing dumpoffs created by guards during my evaluation. Recently showing flashes of perimeter shotmaking from distance in camp settings. Interested to see how he looks with South Kent in a HS setting.
Recruitment: I feel good about Michigan's standing heading into Papa's official visit to Ann Arbor starting tomorrow. Of all the coaches recruiting him, Kante has the best relationship with Juwan Howard. Maryland is also a player here, as the big man will take an OV to College Park starting June 20th, with plans to see Pitt as well. Visits are a critical part of the recruiting process, but as of now the Wolverines are likely the leader in this recruitment.
Zayden High
Height/Weight: Listed at 6'7-6'9/185-225. He's a legit 6'8-6'9 and 210 pounds at minimum.
High School/AAU: San Antonio Smithson Valley HS (TX)/Nike EYBL JL3 Elite (TX)
Mainstream Ranking: Now a top-50 overall prospect to both ESPN and 247
EM Ranking/Evaluation: Projected impact resembles that of a top-50 prospect. Potent perimeter shotmaker off the catch or the bounce. Good playmaker/secondary shot-creator for a big with good ball-skills. Not a great athlete, so struggles to finish at the rim in traffic based on lack of lift/twitchiness. Does a good job of protecting the rim at this level, but probably more of a secondary rim protector at the college level based on his size/length/athleticism. Projects to be a good, multi-year college player that can play the PF or C spot based on matchup.
Recruitment: High is on a meteoric rise since calling him my 2022 version of Kyle Filipowski two months ago. A plethora of upper-tier programs in every conference have offered, but the bluebloods have yet to extend a scholarship, though UNC is poking around. I tend to be conservative with my recruiting projections, and High's transfer to Arizona Compass Prep for his senior season decreased my confidence in a marriage between Zayden and the Wolverines. That said, the skilled big says he intends to visit Ann Arbor and Michigan is among the four schools recruiting him the hardest. Although I'm still not overly optimistic just yet, if High makes his way to Ann Arbor then things are getting serious.
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