The early signing period in November is less than two months away and we're coming down the home-stretch of several key recruitments. The uncertainty of stay/go decisions on the horizon after the 2022-23 season in tandem with the portal means the net is a bit smaller in relation to the past for HS recruiting. Let's see where we stand. 

 

GUARDS

Isaiah Collier

Height/Weight: Listed height in the 6'2 - 6'4 range, with listed weight ranging between 170 - 205. Eye test says he's probably a legit 6'2 and 190-195.

High School/AAU: Marietta Wheeler HS (GA)/Nike EYBL The Skill Factory (GA)

Mainstream Ranking: Now a consensus top-6 overall prospect

EM Ranking/Projected Impact: 5-star/#8 overall. Expected projection/production of a true 5-star prospect, even if it isn't necessarily what is expected of a consensus top-10 prospect as a freshman. Think consistent rotation player that plays 15-20 minutes per game at minimum, with the potential to be a starter by the time February/March comes around. Has positional size/frame that NBA covets, but lacks the desired twitchiness/acceleration and has some unnecessary motion on the shot mechanics that may give GMs some pause. Will likely be all-conference level player in year two if he sticks around in college.

Latest Recruiting Intel: Collier is the number one prospect on the 2023 board for Michigan and the full staff was on hand at Isaiah's high school for the first day of the fall recruiting period on Friday. A few weeks ago, Jamie Shaw over at On3 opined that USC is the leader with Cincinnati and Michigan in a tie for second place with a decision rumored to be coming later this month. As I've stated repeatedly, Collier is playing things extremely close to the vest and it's very unlikely anyone has reliable intel, even the respective coaching staffs. To that point, head coaches from both Cincinnati and USC were also at Wheeler HS (GA) for opening day of the fall recruiting period. I have yet to see a report of UCLA doing a school/home visit since Friday, which says something about something. Deducing from that, this seems like a three-horse race between USC, Michigan and Cincinnati and I don't think anyone can speak intelligently beyond that. Fingers crossed that Juwan Howard and staff can close. 

 

Elmarko Jackson

Height/Weight: Listed at 6'3 and 185 pounds. That appears very accurate to my eyes.

High School/AAU: Recently transferred to South Kent in CT (now teammates w/Papa Kante)/Under Armour WeR1 (DE)

Mainstream Ranking: 4-star/Top-30 overall to all sites exclusive of Rivals (#63).

EM Rankings/Evaluation: 4-star/#27 overall. Twitchy athlete with some real acceleration + strength and getting to the rim has never been a problem. Above-average handle with ability to change direction/speed with a live dribble. While the decision-making in terms of playmaking is still inconsistent, there are flashes there that allow one to project him favorably in that regard. Don't necessarily know if he'd be a guy that plays heavy minutes as a freshman, but there is some pro upside down the road given his positional size + athleticism in tandem with the much improved perimeter shotmaking. 

Recruitment: Included Michigan in a top-eleven list a few weeks ago, but I'm told the Wolverines probably aren't a serious option at this point despite the family ties. Took official visit to Miami over the weekend and will OV to Kansas later this month. Will cut his list again in the near future and to be candid, I'm not sure Michigan makes the cut. I'm inclined to believe Maryland, Texas and UCLA are all ahead of the Wolverines along with Miami + Kansas. Barring a change of heart, Elmarko probably won't be in this class. 

 

George Washington III

Height/Weight: Listed at 6'2 and in the 165-175 range. Likely 6'1 - 6'2 and 180 based on my eye test. 

High School/AAU: Chaminade-Julienne HS (OH)/Nike EYBL All-Ohio (OH)

Mainstream Ranking: 4-star/60-135 range overall

EM Rankings/Evaluation: 3-star/#121 overall. Above-average/good volume perimeter shooter with outstanding shot mechanics. Averaged over 5 attempts per game from distance during all five EYBL sessions. Aggregate percentage is around 33%, but that isn't really indicative of the shooter he is because it doesn't account for shot difficulty. Washington can knock down jumpers off movement via pull-ups and screens from both distance and midrange. He's an average secondary ballhandler, but not a kid that is going to run ballscreens with any sort of volume. Physically, he's a tad undersized for the SG spot and is only an average athlete. Not likely to be an instant-impact player, but can provide valuable floorspacing while sticking around four years. A bit reminiscent of some Beilein-era targets.

Recruitment: I can confirm the Michigan staff has made contact with Washington after de-committing from Ohio State last Monday. A plethora of programs have joined the race in the last week, but George's father is currently an assistant coach with Dayton WBB, so it wouldn't be shocking to see the Flyers shoot the to the top of the list. Until visits are scheduled, we won't know who the real contenders are.

[Hit THE JUMP for the full rundown]

BIGS

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/30-100 overall. 

EM Ranking/Evaluation:  4-star/#48 overall. Expected projection/production more closely aligns with that of a prospect ranked in the 50-70 range. Impact defender that is a switchable big with good agility and defensive instincts on rotations, while being surprisingly disciplined on shot-fakes, etc. Burgeoning offensive skill and getting more comfortable and accurate as a perimeter shooter in recent months. Some potential as a face-up option from the elbows. Still a bit of a tweener that may not be big enough to defend the true mammoths of the B10. Will need development offensively. Multi-year college player that isn't likely to make big impact as a freshman.

Latest Recruiting Intel: Michigan was thought to be in pole position for much of the summer, but the lack of a verbal commitment from Papa means this is a dogfight for the Wolverines. As previously mentioned, Penny Hardaway recently hired Kante's former AAU Coach, Andy Borman. That development certainly gave me some pause and it seems my concern is somewhat valid, as Kante says he's looking to set up an OV with Memphis. Though Papa confirmed to me that he has yet to receive an offer from the Tigers. Reading between the lines, it seems like Kante may want Memphis more than vice-versa (he trusts Andy Borman). Whenver a prospect conveys a public desire to visit a program which has not offered, that generally translates to heavy interest. Memphis, Rutgers, Pitt and Maryland were all at South Kent for Papa on the opening day of the fall recruiting period. Expect Michigan to be in for Kante this week.

 

Zayden High

Height/Weight: Listed at 6'7-6'9/185-225. My eyes say he's a legit 6'8-6'9 and around 210 pounds.

High School/AAU: Arizona Compass Academy (AZ)/Nike EYBL JL3 Elite (TX)

Mainstream Ranking: 4-star/45-65 overall

EM Ranking/Projected Impact: 4-star/#51 overall. Expected projection/production looks like a typical prospect in the Beilein-era. Needs a year of strength and conditioning before being an impact player in year two. Skilled F/C that can knock down perimeter shots off the catch or the bounce, put the ball on the floor for a few dribbles and make a play. Athleticism a bit below average in terms of agility + vertical pop. Tweener that lacks the size/length to defend B10 centers with NBA size, and probably not agile enough to check legit wings on the perimeter. Multi-year college player with potential to be all-conference player in year two and beyond. Might be a bit too small and limited athletically to be enticing for NBA purposes.  

Latest Recruiting Intel: I can confirm that Michigan will be at Arizona Compass Prep today. Zayden is a Wolverine priority that is extremely fond of Juwan Howard on a personal level and loves his NBA background at the PF/C position. Michigan's willingness to play two bigs at the same time also means that High can realistically see himself playing a more perimeter oriented role. Took OV to Villanova in June along with unofficial visit to Texas. North Carolina will get a visit on September 30th, and Zayden says he's looking to commit around Christmas. UNC has emerged as a major threat here after the Tarheels lost-out on GG Jackson (South Carolina) and TJ Power (opted for Duke). Per Rivals, a source indicates that Michigan and North Carolina have the edge for right now, due to HCs at both programs having NBA backgrounds. This is a race where Michigan is clearly a serious option, but it doesn't seem to be wrapping up any time soon. The Wolverines are pursuing Zayden with vigor and Michigan has a better chance to land High than I initially anticipated back in the Spring, even if the Tarheels are the perceived favorite. 

 

Baye Ndongo 

Under-the-radar big Baye Ndongo is now on the radar with Papa Kante taking a bit longer than expected with his decision. 

Height/Weight: Listed at 6'8 - 6'10 and 220 pounds. I was able to see Ndongo live in March and my eyes say 6'8 and 215 seems about right. 

High School/AAU: Colorado Prep (CO)/Only Played AAU from a few weekends with Adidas Utah Prospects

Mainstream Ranking: 3-star/#37 PF to 247. Not ranked elsewhere. 

EM Rankings/Evaluation: To be totally honest, I only viewed Ndongo live for one game at The Circuit event in March. After that, he only played with the Utah Prospects for the first live evaluation period and never played travel ball again over the Spring/Summer and I simply forgot about him. But the one game definitely made an impression on me, as Baye is a twitchy athlete that can handle the ball a bit. I didn't see him attempt a jumpshot, so I don't have an informed opinion on that. The rim protection appears to be legit based on my viewing. Frame is close to college ready and the motor runs high. Averaged 18.6ppg, 11reb and 2.5blk on 65% FG during 13 games last year for Colorado Prep on the Grind Session HS circuit. He has the look of a 50-100 range prospect based on my limited viewing. 

Recruitment: Look for Michigan to possibly see him this week for open gym/workouts at Colorado Prep. Took official visit to Colorado over the weekend weekend. Also holds offers from Providence, Arizona State, San Diego, Washington State, New Mexico and a few mid-majors. Information is rather scant here. But I can confirm that Ndongo is already 19 years old (and will turn 20 in January), so keep that in mind in terms of professional options and projection moving forward. That said, this would be a solid addition to the class if we can't land Kante and/or High.

 

2024 John Bol

Height/Weight: Listed between 7' - 7'2 and 190 - 210 pounds. Definitely a legit seven-footer at minimum and a source confirms that the wingspan is 7'9. 

High School/AAU: Sunrise Christian (KS)/Nike EYBL Mokan Elite (KS)

Mainstream Ranking: 5-starish/15-30 overall 

Evaluation: NBA size + length + agility. Incredible rim protector that averaged nearly 1.5blks per contest despite only playing roughly 15 minutes per game while playing up a year in the 17u division of EYBL. Offense generally limited to finishing dumpoffs/lobs and putbacks from offensive rebounding. The upside here is unlimited. Projects to be instant-impact defender at the college level if he can add twenty pounds over the next year. 

Recruitment: Took OV to Michigan over the weekend and the visit went extremely well. There are connections to Tarris Reed here, as the freshman attended Sunrise and is also a Mokan Elite alum. Tarris was heavily involved on the visit and absolutely put on his recruiting hat for the Wolverines. If this recruitment ended now, it would end in favor of Michigan. But Bol is a 2024 and things are a long way from settled. John is scheduled to take an official visit to Missouri the weekend of September 23rd. As of now, I'm not all that concerned about Dennis Gates and crew, but if Kentucky gets involved that would definitely make an impact here.