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Hoops Recruiting On the Cusp Again Comment Count

Matt EM December 19th, 2019 at 1:38 PM

Michigan appears primed to add another big piece (!) to a 2020 class that is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory. The latest on the pursuit of priority prospect Hunter Dickinson and the remaining targets below.

Dickinson Set to Announce This Week

After more than a month’s worth of “he’s going to commit this week” speculation, it appears top-40 center Hunter Dickinson will indeed make an announcement today or tomorrow.

Considering Evan Daniels placed a crystal ball in favor of Michigan just a few hours prior to the tweet above, the timing bodes well for the Wolverines.

With 91% of the crystal balls in favor of the good guys and all 7 of the Rivals’ future forecast projections reading Michigan, the confidence level is high on this one.

My intel has not changed, this has been a Michigan/Florida State battle for a month now, with Michigan in prime position to land the DMV big man.

It looks as if we will have nice things for basketball heading into the Holidays.

[Hit THE JUMP for potential buddy-ball and more.]

Bringing Friends?

While it appears adding Dickinson may be a mere formality at this point, the bigger question is where do we go from here?

As reported previously, 4-star forward Terrance Williams may be next up. Williams told me last week that he’s planning official visits to both Michigan and UCLA after decommitting from a Georgetown program laced with scandal.

I spoke with Terrance briefly on Monday, and while he has yet to lock in the OV with Michigan, he definitely plans on setting a precise date in the near future.

As mentioned last week, I’m told Williams is very close with Hunter Dickinson. Both play Summer ball together for Nike-sponsored Team Takeover on the EYBL circuit and live in close proximity to one another in the DMV area.

If we assume that good things happen with Dickinson, that certainly wouldn’t hurt our pursuit of Terrance.

Rivals’ Notre Dame insider Mike Singer placed a Future Forecast for Michigan yesterday. Considering ND was in Williams’ final three the first time around, that appears meaningful.

Remaining Targets

Beyond the aforementioned two, the 2020 board is essentially 5-star guard Josh Christopher as of right now.

Christopher’s father gave some fluff substance to Sam Webb in the aftermath of their official visit a few weeks back.

“Just watching them in the gym, and watching how they coach the game, and paying very close attention to how they are with their kids,” he said. “And to see what (Howard) is bringing in… some of the recruits that he’s looking at, you can see what he’s building for sure.”

In the same piece, Poppa Christopher expressly acknowledges Michigan weather isn’t necessarily desirable.

While there’s no doubt Juwan Howard and staff will do everything possible to land Josh, I’m told UCLA is the likely destination at this point.

Beyond that, Christopher’s brother is a member of the Arizona State basketball team, while a family member is on staff at Missouri.

I wouldn’t get my hopes up here.

The Future

Juwan Howard seems to be emphasizing the junior and sophomore classes in recent weeks. That trend continued with a few new offers this week.

In a bold move, Howard offered top-50 sophomore Jett Howard. You may be privy to the fact that Juwan is the father of Jett. This feels like a battle that Michigan may win.

An offer was also extended to 2022 Skyy Clark yesterday. An early five-star from SoCal, Clark was a teammate of Bronny James on the EYBL circuit with Strive for Greatness.

Comments

WoodleyIsBeast

December 19th, 2019 at 1:53 PM ^

I'll say this, basketball recruiting sure is a whole lot more exciting with Howard in town.  Whether it is because he offers guys that don't need to step on campus first, he has playing experience, etc....it is fun to watch. Reminds me of chasing after Mitch McGary, but all the time.

Image result for juwan howard gif

Kilgore Trout

December 19th, 2019 at 1:54 PM ^

Jackson, Todd, Williams, and Dickinson would be a great class. Too bad on Christopher, but hopefully things change.

What is the story with Jace Howard? Would he potentially be a walk on next year? All of his crystal balls are to Michigan.

J.

December 19th, 2019 at 2:42 PM ^

I looked it up the last time somebody made this point, and I've been unable to find any such rule. The only rule that I found is that the player couldn't blueshirt, meaning that he couldn't show up, get a scholarship at the start of practice, and then play, while the scholarship counts against next year's totals.  That's only allowed for unrecruited prospects (meaning, no OV).

I haven't found anything that says that a player can't walk onto a school after receiving an OV there.

njvictor

December 19th, 2019 at 2:00 PM ^

Matt, whats your opinion on Juwan seemingly not offering some of the top guys in Michigan for 2021 and 2022? You have guys like Kobe Bufkin, Jaden Akins, and Pierre Brooks in 2021 and Ty Rodgers and JaVaughn Hannah in 2022 and we haven’t offered any of them or seemingly even shown much interest. I’m  liking what Juwan is doing with recruiting but I can’t help but think he’s disregarding some guys in our own state who could be major contributors in favor of some guys who are going to be much tougher pulls from elsewhere

Matt EM

December 19th, 2019 at 2:50 PM ^

Michigan's in-state 2021 class is one of the best in the last 5 years or so, and I'm sure the time will come when a few of those kids are prioritized. I'm not that high on Kristian Lander personally. He's a very good prospect, but I think some of the Michigan kids are just as good. 

What I can say is that Javaughn Hannah has visited multiple times since the fall. He received a Texas A&M offer today. From a source VERY close to the situation, Michigan "would be hard to turn down"

Matt EM

December 19th, 2019 at 3:04 PM ^

To say that I'm a member of the Jaden Akins fan club would be an understatement. The kid is criminally undervalued. At one point in the not so distant past, I was the only evaluation service that saw him as  a high-major prospect. Fast forward 6 months and he's experienced quite the blow up and having a phenomenal start to his junior year despite still being a bit under the radar. He did this in front of Izzo last week

https://twitter.com/endless_motor/status/1205313808174059520

 

Champeen

December 19th, 2019 at 3:08 PM ^

Michigan under Beilien, Hannah was being recruited much harder by Izzo and Michigan State.  Has this changed now with Howard?

Also as you probably already know but did not put in your post, Emoni Bates and Javaughn Hannah are very, very close.  Wherever Hannah commits to, and if Emoni were to decide to go to college instead of pros, it sure the hell would not hurt the college Hannah committed to in landing Bates.

 

EDIT:

Future150 rankings for 2022 class... Michigan players (the state is LOADED) included Jett too.

1. Emoni Bates SF, MI

17. Jett Howard, SG, FL

41. Ty Rogers, SF, MI

55. JaVaughn Hannah SF, MI

63. Marquis Daveport, C, MI

Matt EM

December 19th, 2019 at 3:19 PM ^

Michigan State just recently entered the picture for Hannah, and Izzo has not been the point man and that is being noticed. Juwan on the other hand, has made himself available to the Hannah family and that is also being noticed. 

And while I'm not going to get into direct comparisons between Beilein and Howard, the recruiting approach under Juwan Howard resonates with prospects and their families. 

matty blue

December 19th, 2019 at 4:08 PM ^

well, we might lead for jett howard, assuming juwan doesn't do something stupid, like going 17-13 instead of 24-6, or picking zavier simpson to take a last shot.  the fanbase won't stand for it.

Jordan2323

December 19th, 2019 at 6:23 PM ^

Combining Zeb, Todd, Dickinson and Williams to what we have coming back gets me really excited for next year. I'm gonna enjoy this year but, damm, what possibilites for next year!

Matt EM

December 19th, 2019 at 7:09 PM ^

Thank you for the kind words. I’m excited to play a small part in the extensive coverage that the entire MGo crew brings to the Michigan alumni and fan base. Always been a dream to cover Michigan in some capacity and it’s a privilege to do that with incredibly talented colleagues while interacting with the most knowledgeable and informed sports community in the world.