Couple More Tidbits from Sam Webb on Hoops Recruiting

Submitted by Raoul on

Sam Webb offered a couple of interesting insights into the basketball recruiting situation on today's recruiting roundup (podcast). Contrary to the notion of Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Aubrey Dawkins being an "either-or" scenario, he believes the two players would fill different roles at Michigan, and so taking both of them would make sense.

Abdur-Rahkman: He can immediately serve as an effective backup to Caris LeVert, and longer term—although his ceiling isn't as high as Levert's—he looks like a four-year contributor who may eventually be a starter. He's just a "decent" shooter, but John Beilein has said he can take an average shooter and turn him into a good one. Abdur-Rahkman also has an effective midrange game and can get to the rim. His quickness isn't exceptional, but in Michigan's ball-screen-heavy offense, he'll be able to get open for shots and drives. Abdur-Rahkman also needs to get stronger but has Camp Sanderson in his future to take care of that.

Dawkins: Although reports have him at 6-4 or 6-5, Sam says it sounds like he's actually closer to 6-6+. Dawkins, who possesses more athleticism than Adbur-Rahkman, is more in the mold of Glenn Robinson III and would play the 3 and even some at the 4 at Michigan. He's not as athletic as Robinson but could fill the void in the transition game that exists with Robinson's departure. Following his visit and the Michigan offer, Sam says Dawkins is "extremely high" on the Wolverines. He still plans to visit Dayton this week (and I think it's worth keeping in mind that Dayton has been recruiting him much longer).

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Basketball
2014 basketball recruiting
Aubrey Dawkins
Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman

reanimator

April 21st, 2014 at 10:31 AM ^

I think MSU is going to bring in a great 2015 class. Deyonta Davis is a heck of a player.

As for Dawkins, I think UM should wait on Sviat, Huff and Harris. The gap between Sviat or even Huff/Harris is large enough that you tell Dawkins to wait. Should be wrapped up in June/July. 1 of those guys replacing Levert or Irvin = no dropoff, not sure the same can be said for Dawkins. Also, Tavarius Shine and Ryan Taylor are other late alternatives if he chooses not to wait. Or bank and pursue 3 of  McQauid, Davis,Coleman, Dozier, Grandstaff, Ahmad and Ahrens. 

Joined: 02/01/2014

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alum96

April 21st, 2014 at 12:17 PM ^

Yes Davis looks promising but my point is MSU has had HS All Americans and 5 stars as upperclassmen ... and now they will replace them with a lot of 3-4 stars as freshman/sophomores in about 12 months.  Costello and Valentine will be their main 2 upperclassmen at that point.

As for Dawkins I doubt you can just say "hey dude can you just wait until we go after 3 guys we like more than you?" when he has a long term relationship with Dayton and he is headed down there next week.   It is a constant balancing act - kids will decide when they want ... you can't just put them in limbo for 6 more weeks while you go look at "hotter chicks".

Joined: 04/28/2012

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maceo_blastin'

April 21st, 2014 at 10:22 AM ^

Hoping Dawkins commits also. BUT, to me there's no way M doesnt bring in two blue chip wings in the '15 class. Rahkman being defensively attuned and a distributor will make him relevant regardless of future classes imo but Dawkins could get passed by future classes if he doesnt show promise next year. He best be getting into the gym and working on his spot up 3 game.

Joined: 12/15/2013

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remdog

April 21st, 2014 at 10:32 AM ^

I hope we get Dawkins now that he's offered. Given his track record, it would be foolish to doubt Beilein's skill at identifying talent. And while I wouldn't expect either player to blow up like Levert, etc., I wouldn't rule it out. At this point in his tenure at Michigan, Beilein is drawing from a better talent pool than when he was scooping up players like Douglass, Novak, Christian, etc. While Stu and Zack developed into solid D-1 players under Beilein, they had a low ceiling. Beilein doesn't have to fill up roster slots with lower ceiling players. So these guys will like likely be solid contributors with plenty of upside.

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CoachW

April 21st, 2014 at 11:14 AM ^

Is Dawkins not being recruited by his dad (Stanford)?  I haven't seen it mentioned one way or the other and it seems strange if he's not.

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Michigan4Life

April 21st, 2014 at 12:26 PM ^

his own son is good enough for his own D1 team.

Doug McDermott wasn't good enough to earn a scholarship at Iowa State when his dad was the coach there. Obviously, his dad was wrong about his son.  That can happen, but by the same token, there have been several players who played for their dad on college level.  Ray McCallum, Trey Zeigler, Saul Smith, etc. all have played for their dad.

Joined: 07/29/2010

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PurpleStuff

April 21st, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^

Playing for your dad or vice-versa seems like it could put extra pressure on both parties that one or both of them may be more comfortable avoiding. 

Aubrey is going to land in a good spot (choosing between Elite Eight teams last year) and can make his own path while dad doesn't have to deal with the possibility of benching his kid or being accused of favoritism by Stanford fans (all 8 of them) if/when Aubrey ever has a bad game.

Joined: 04/21/2009

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MGoGrendel

April 21st, 2014 at 1:35 PM ^

Brian wrote about a "Deathmatch" between them on Friday. It looks like Beilein may have had both sitting in the same room. "I want you for this position and you for that position" may have been the tone of the meeting. My guess is that these kids knew this before scheduling their trips. We didn't!

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