Hoops Hello: Xavier Simpson
So the Cassius Winston situation cleared up in a hurry.
As it turns out, Michigan had a top-100 prospect ready to commit, and 2016 Lima (OH) point guard Xavier Simpson did just that this afternoon after a late push by the Wolverines. Simpson originally planned to choose today between finalists Illinois, Iowa State, Miami, and Wisconsin. Increased attention from Michigan's staff in the wake of Winston's shifting visit plans changed the outlook entirely.
Simpson is the fourth commit in the 2016 class, joining wing Ibi Watson and big men Jon Teske and Austin Davis.
GURU RATINGS
| Scout | Rivals | ESPN | 247 | 247 Comp |
|
4*, #12 PG, #55 Ovr |
4*, #87 Ovr |
4*, 84, #12 PG, #66 Ovr |
3*, 92, #13 PG, #80 Ovr |
4*, #13 PG, #69 Ovr |
The four services are in general agreement on Simpson, all listing him in the bottom half of the top 100 overall prospects. He's the #12 or #13 point guard prospect in the country on the sites that bother with positional rankings; Rivals, for some reason, not only fails to do those but lists players only at G, F, or C unless you click on all their profiles.
Simpson is diminutive. He's listed at 5'11 and 165-170 pounds on three of the four sites; Scout has him at 5'10, 155.
SCOUTING
Here's Scout's free evaluation:
Evaluation
Simpson isn't the most physically gifted player in the class, but he is one of the most effective. Standing only 5-foot-11 he shows absolutely no fear on the basketball court and has set his team up for a lot of wins during his high school and AAU careers. He needs to continue to refine his jumper, but his leadership and ability to run a team make him an in demand prospect.Strengths
- Basketball IQ
- Big-Game Player
- Toughness
Areas to Improve
- 3-Point Range
- Athleticism
I'll have much more on Simpson tomorrow in an updated post. Football duties beckon for now.
September 9th, 2015 at 3:20 PM ^
September 9th, 2015 at 3:20 PM ^
Welcome aboard Xavier!
It bothers me, though, that a commitment post could barely get started before people returned to arguing about Beilein's recruiting abilities. Just be happy the team found a good player; there are, what, 4 posts on the main page/board to discuss this stuff in? I just feel like this shits on a kid because of the hang-ups of people on this board, and for a new recruit who will likely visit the site, I'd hope he would find a welcoming environment.
September 9th, 2015 at 3:38 PM ^
People get attached to recruits, in part because of the desire of people who cover recruiting to make their audience happy. After all the glowing reports about Winston, his frequent visits, etc. people started to get their hopes up and feel attached. I think it's natural to be disapponted when you don't get that and instead get a guy who is off the radar.
Once people read about Simpson and there is time to process what went down, the reactions won't be so negative.
September 9th, 2015 at 3:49 PM ^
...Winston's recruitment, which made the stakes higher (assuming he doesn't go to Pitt or Stanford). But I agree that we can express angst about the overall state of Michigan's recruiting in other threads and at other times. Simpson is a nice addition.
September 9th, 2015 at 5:04 PM ^
I sort of get that and sort of don't. MSU is going to get good players regardless - it doesn't really matter if Michigan recruits them or not.
September 9th, 2015 at 5:28 PM ^
...it would have been nice to keep them from their No. 1 PG option.
September 9th, 2015 at 4:30 PM ^
September 9th, 2015 at 3:35 PM ^
No idea what you're working on Ace, but this news is bigger than that.
Of course a deep dive into Simpson can wait, just sayin...
September 9th, 2015 at 3:50 PM ^
JB needs to work on that shot though. he doesn't follow through and has very little rotation. he can only get better.
September 9th, 2015 at 3:57 PM ^
We're both from Lima and people around here LOVE their buckeyes (had to watch the Michigan opener with a couple of the bc that's what the odds are). Awesome to see him Go Blue. It doesn't say on the Hello Post but it looks like he goes to Lima Sr. High School.
September 9th, 2015 at 4:10 PM ^
September 10th, 2015 at 11:51 AM ^
September 9th, 2015 at 4:20 PM ^
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September 9th, 2015 at 4:33 PM ^
September 9th, 2015 at 4:35 PM ^
This kid has a verystrong handle - very skilled,decisive and confident with the ball. Very quick and looks like a great passer as well. I'm no hoops scout but his release looks a little weird on those outside shots. Agree with the Burke comparison, but I think Burke's 3 pt shooting great from the beginning. Very nice get for essentially a Plan C.
September 9th, 2015 at 5:22 PM ^
Who else thinks it's weird calling someone who is 5'11 "diminutive" ? I mean in a basketball sense I get it, but I would certainly refrain from that type of language.
September 10th, 2015 at 12:18 AM ^
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September 10th, 2015 at 3:30 PM ^
September 9th, 2015 at 6:50 PM ^
September 9th, 2015 at 7:15 PM ^
September 9th, 2015 at 8:02 PM ^
September 9th, 2015 at 8:38 PM ^
September 9th, 2015 at 9:08 PM ^
Looks to project as a great pick and roll player in Coach B's system. For some reason Scoonie Penn jumps out as a comparison.
September 9th, 2015 at 9:36 PM ^
After the bs with Battle and Winston I hope to God JB gets the last laugh and turns this kid into a first round pick.
September 10th, 2015 at 7:45 AM ^
He's very good but he isn't Dennis Smith Jr. or Malik Monk. He isn't elite!!!! He was not going to be a starter at UM until the EARLIEST his junior season. He would be caught behind Walton and MAAR as the 3rd and then 2nd point guard his freshman and sophmore seasons. Ever wonder why a player like Winston who lives 45 minutes away would be making so many visits to UM? Do you assume he is more and more insterested in the program with each new visit. Then you are wrong! It is a red flag not for landing that recruit and great sign for the ability level, development and projection of the incumbent's on the roster he would be competitng with for playing timr. Winston kept coming to check out his competition - MAAR ... Winston may have other reasons for not selecting UM but MAAR standing in the way of him playing starter minutes is the main reason ... So read the signs ... Simpson and Ibi Watson are guys who are more likely to be patient in the pecking order for playing time than a Winston or Battle.
September 10th, 2015 at 9:45 AM ^
You might have a valid point if you have first hand knowledge of this. Otherwise, this post really looks like sour grapes. I know many have said that Winston is overrated but everyone agrees he is a top 100 player and was a priority for Coach B. He is a very good player and would have fit well on UM's roster had he decided earlier.
September 10th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^
September 10th, 2015 at 11:53 AM ^
Few 5-11 players ever leave college ball early to go to the NBA. I think it is safe to expect X here for a minimum of three years, regardless of how above expectations he might play. Highly likely he's a four year players. A fourth year talented PG would be amazing.
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