Exit Kam Chatman Comment Count

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According to a report from ESPN's Jeff Goodman, junior forward Kam Chatman is expected to transfer out of the program.

Chatman was ranked as a top-30 prospect coming out of high school, but other than that one moment of glory against Indiana, he never made the expected impact.

That doesn't mean Chatman's departure won't hurt, though. Michigan now has two open scholarship spots for 2016-17 and no obvious candidates among either grad transfers or late-rising 2016 recruits to fill them. Barring a late addition, this puts a lot of pressure on DJ Wilson to become a viable backup at the four, where Zak Irvin is once again going to have to log the vast majority of his minutes.

UPDATE: Multiple outlets have confirmed Chatman has been granted his release and will transfer.

UPDATE 2: It's officially official.

"Kam is a wonderful young man with the potential to mature into a fine college player," said Beilein. "We have enjoyed coaching him over the past two years and wish him nothing but the best."

"I honestly don't think I could have had a more quality life experience than I did in Ann Arbor," said Chatman. "I am incredibly grateful for my two years at Michigan. I would like to thank Coach Beilein and his entire staff for taking a chance on a small town kid out of Portland. I know my experience has inspired others as I will take all of my lessons learned to continue my pursuit of becoming the best man and player I can. Go Blue!"

Comments

TrueBlue2003

May 4th, 2016 at 11:51 PM ^

it means that DJ has taken a step (or three?) forward and the writing is on the wall that Chatman was never going to have a chance.  I mean, it's not like we're going to miss the few minutes Chatman played last year. We really needed one of Chatman or Wilson to be able to play minutes at the four and maybe this just means it's clearly Wilson.  Let's hope.

Although it does seem like Chatman was the one makes some strides less than two months ago so not sure that's enough time for Wilson to jump out to a lead.

isai

May 3rd, 2016 at 3:05 PM ^

This is what I expected given Beilein's comments yesterday. This is the player, outside of maybe Wilson, that made the most sense for a transfer.

Lanknows

May 3rd, 2016 at 3:06 PM ^

We're in serious trouble on the wing.

I've been a staunch defender of Chatman's potential and thought he would have to play a big role next year.  Watson and Rahkman are going to need to play minutes on the wing unless Wilson makes a Donnal-like leap to competancy.  Yikes.

Hopefully reinforcements will arrive from recruits or grad transfers.

Gentleman Squirrels

May 3rd, 2016 at 3:07 PM ^

Its weird how a couple months ago, we had no room to take further prospects, and now we have so much room and no one to fill them with. I really hope Jamal Cain ends up picking us and there is a grad transfer looking to find a new home. 

snarling wolverine

May 3rd, 2016 at 3:15 PM ^

Kam averaged 2.8 points and 1.4 rebounds per game last season.  The guy frankly didn't seem like a great fit to begin with.  I wasn't convinced he had the perimeter game to play heavy minutes at the four, his one clutch three notwithstanding.

 

CHICA.GO_BLUE

May 3rd, 2016 at 3:10 PM ^

Doesn't it feel like we've had a lot of transfers out of the program over the last few years? I don't follow other teams, so I'm not sure of our relative standing here, but it seems like we've had a ton of unnecessary departures out of the program – just bad luck? or a more systemic issue? what's the deal? Thinking of Smotrycz, Horford, Bielfeldt, Spike, Chatman... I get they are all different situations, but it really feels like a disproportionate number of kids leaving the program early....

Raoul

May 3rd, 2016 at 4:14 PM ^

There were more than 700 D-I basketball transfers last year, and this year—so far—it's up to almost 525 and sure to go way beyond that. So the average now is for each D-I team to lose two players every year. So, yes, what Michigan is experiencing is hardly unusual.

ak47

May 3rd, 2016 at 3:11 PM ^

I'm honestly as worried about Duncan Robinson as I am about Irvin next year.  Who is backing him up at the 3?  MAAR?  freshman Watson? His shooting fell off a cliff and he couldn't get open at the end of last year from logging too many minutes. 

Flying Dutchman

May 3rd, 2016 at 3:16 PM ^

This is definitely not about playing time, as there will be plenty of that available.   The way for Kam to play more would not be to transfer elsewhere, it would be to stop being terrible for Michigan. 

Lanknows

May 3rd, 2016 at 3:17 PM ^

if Robinson could bulk up and play some 4. His job on offense is a helluva lot easier than Irvin's and he's 6'8.

Alumnus93

May 3rd, 2016 at 3:22 PM ^

can't blame him. watching Duncan and Doyle and even dakich get more minutes, had to maddening. should've found ways to get minutes.

123blue

May 3rd, 2016 at 5:08 PM ^

I hear ya.  

Chatman is a guy who had tons of potential (though maybe not really 5* potential) and I think he was a victim of system-ball.  Would've loved to see him play on a run/gun team with multiple athletes.  Instead, he rotted on the bench for a team seemingly a year or two late in fixing roster issues.

michiganinmd

May 3rd, 2016 at 3:22 PM ^

So glad Beilein turned away Josh Langford - then he would only have one open roster spot now. 

Does 3 transfers in one year tank the APR or is Michigan still fine there?

michiganinmd

May 3rd, 2016 at 4:31 PM ^

From Seth's post when Battle committed to Syracuse:

 

"Michigan was hard after both Battle and similarly ranked (just outside top 10) Alabama SF Josh Langford, and Battle pulled the trigger in May when it appeared Langford was about to take that option away from him. Beilein apparently thought that decision was earnest enough that he cut off pursuit of Langford, who committed to Michigan State three days after Battle reopened his recruitment"

 

http://mgoblog.com/content/tyus-battle-decommits

klctlc

May 3rd, 2016 at 3:30 PM ^

He still has very high standards, but I do think he is starting to recognize the need to turnover this roster.  His last two classes have been very subpar ( except for Wagner hopefully and I don't count Robinson)

He could not be stuck with this roster for two more years.  

I have been skeptical of Beilein, but I think in the end he will adjust and make this program much stronger. I have nothing to base that on but faith, but I think these transfers are net positive.  Chatman and Dawkins were veterans, but middle of the road big ten players at best.