Hoops Recruiting: End of Summer Summary
While your author generally prefers providing recruiting updates/evaluations through positional designations, the 2023 pool for the staff is relatively small at this point, so let's take a big picture look at where things stand with practices scheduled to start later this month.
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: I checked in on things this weekend and Michigan still has Collier at the very top of their 2023 board and recruiting him with the corresponding diligence. The Wolverine staff believes they are in the thick of things here and hope to close the deal in the near future. Last Saturday, Jamie Shaw over at On3 opined that USC is the leader with Cincinnati and Michigan in a tie for second place. Its fairly obvious that Isaiah plays it close to the vest and nobody has a clear picture of where this is trending. A recent death in the family has slowed things down and this recruitment may not end until the early signing period in November. As stated in the last update, keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best.........much like everyone else.
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. Will take an official visit to Miami this 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.
New Name
Recent Ohio State decommit George Washington III is definitely on the radar and might be a prospect the staff pursues given how things are trending with Elmarko Jackson.
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: Can't speak with any sort of intelligence here, as George just de-committed from Ohio State on Monday. One can only assume he will give potential suitors a few weeks to express interest/establish relationships before setting up visits.
[Hit THE JUMP for the full rundown, which features another new name]
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: Back in the United States after visiting family in Africa for several weeks. The expectation from the Michigan staff was that Papa would have already verbally pledged in favor of the Wolverines by now, but that has yet to happen. I can confirm that Memphis has made contact, but has yet to extend an offer. You may recall Penny Hardaway recently hired Kante's former AAU Coach, Andy Borman. In a world where relationships are often the most important factor in the decision-making process, it certainly looms as a potential threat in my opinion. Rutgers, Pitt and Maryland are the other serious contenders here and I'm still inclined to think things will be wrapping up relatively soon. Papa is a priority for Michigan, but the staff is making contingency plans as noted below.
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: Zayden 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. On Michigan's end, they are pursuing Zayden with vigor and Michigan has a better chance to land High than I initially expected back in the Spring.
New Name
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: Will take an official visit to Colorado this 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.
September 8th, 2022 at 9:51 AM ^
The Elmarko Jackson news certainly is disappointing. I was always hoping he was the guard of this class. Don't get me wrong, Collier would be an amazing get but things get shady and weird in the recruitment of legit Top 10 prospects and I never really expect them to end up in Ann Arbor.
Getting a bit nervous about Kante as well. Weve all seen what seems to happen with guys that have one school at the top of their list for a long time and never commit. They often seem to be waiting on a different offer/opportunity to arise.
September 8th, 2022 at 9:56 AM ^
What is going on that we don’t have any recruits and appear to be missing on basically all of our targets here? Are they banking that heavily on the portal?
September 8th, 2022 at 10:18 AM ^
With NIL now a driving factor in stay/go decisions (Dickinson in particular) + the 2023 class being extremely weak, the logic on HS recruiting is changing.
I've mentioned on multiple occasions that building a team organically (through HS recruiting) as the exclusive, or even primary method, is waning by the day.
Free agency is upon us, whether we like it or not.
So I can understand the "if we can't land our top guys through the HS ranks, we'll just get plug + play guys via the portal instead of wasting time with multiple years of development on project type HS prospects" approach.
September 8th, 2022 at 10:29 AM ^
Thanks Matt. I share some of the same concerns, since in previous years we'd already locked up 2-3 recruits by this point. But your points make sense, and also it seems we only have 3 spots to fill for 2023, as opposed to previous years where we had 5-6 (unless Jett is a OAD)
I like the approach though and the positions (backcourt and big) seem right
September 8th, 2022 at 10:43 AM ^
Thanks for the info. It makes sense, but is top-tier talent always going to be on the move? A lot of teams that have had success recently seem to blend great recruiting with older guys.
September 8th, 2022 at 4:02 PM ^
I think you need both to be successful. Michigan isn’t going to be able to recruit the portal like many other schools can due to academic transfer requirements. There has to be more to the recruiting story here other than shrugging their shoulders and saying “oh well, we’ll just recruit the portal”. Is it just an off year? Is it NIL? Is Juwan the only major recruiter on the staff? Is it a combination of those? I don’t know the answer but 2023 recruiting is nothing like the previous years classes as of now.
September 8th, 2022 at 5:11 PM ^
I'm surprised MattEM didn't mention this. Very hard to get guy our of the portal unless they are a)freshmen or b)grad transfers.
September 8th, 2022 at 5:45 PM ^
The roster could literally return everyone next season. The reality is there are very few HS prospects in the 2023 class that would be an upgrade over the current roster or what you can obtain in the portal. That changes the equation.
The fundamental question has now become "is this HS prospect better than what I can get in the portal, without spending years of resources?"
No offense to him, but George Washington isn't likely to be an upgrade over the likes of Dug McDaniel, JL or Kobe Bufkin. You can find an undersized guard that lacks pro upside in the portal every year with no problem..........and Michigan has done just that 3 years and counting.
Bigs are much different because there is such a premium on transfer bigs that its probably not realistic Michigan can land a starter quality center in the portal given the academic requirements/NIL limitations. That's where the recruiting emphasis should be IMO. Michigan is in deep with a top-50 big in Kante and has contingency plans should it not work out.
We're loaded with wings, so getting one in 23 isn't a priority absent an instant-impact prospect that potentially projects as a starter.
September 8th, 2022 at 9:48 PM ^
I agree about the bigs and that is where landing Kante and High would be beneficial. Hopefully it’ll work out and we will land a couple of bigs and then use the portal to land a guard if need be.
September 8th, 2022 at 10:06 AM ^
Seems like Jackson might be following the NIL money and shiny teams with new coaches based on his top schools
September 8th, 2022 at 10:49 AM ^
As my daughter sometimes tells me when I try to be a little too with it: Please, Juwan. Don't ever do that again.
September 8th, 2022 at 11:13 AM ^
I have a hunch that Penny Hardaway may not be long term at Memphis. Combine this with the reports of the incidents that have occurred in Memphis over the last few days, I think UM and Ann Arbor could be a strong alternative.
September 8th, 2022 at 11:15 AM ^
I'm trying not to get frustrated or disappointed with this recruiting cycle and how it is playing out. I realize that we have a stacked roster with perhaps literally ONE player leaving after this year. (Hunter could easily come back again, Llewellyn may have another Covid year of eligibility) Obviously it is very unlikely that they all come back and we'll need help somewhere, but it is clear that roster management is very complex and the portal may be an easier way to fill holes than signing recruits 6-8 months before you even know what spots are available.
With that being said....UGH. We have a roster that has only 3 guards on it and have only one recruit even on the radar and he's an unlikely 5-star. We are known for our big-man coach who plays through the post and develops bigs and we have no true center on our radar besides Kante. I like High as a player and Ndongo sounds interesting....but they are 6-7 to 6-8 PF, not C. We have 8 forwards in the 6-6 to 6-9 range already on the roster. Give me guards and centers!
September 8th, 2022 at 2:44 PM ^
Keep in mind the NBA approach these days is to stockpile wings in the 6’5 - 6’9 range to the extent you have a largely switchable defense with the requisite amount of shooting.
I say that because Juwan Howard is clearly influenced by the NBA having spent 20ish years as player/coach. It absolutely impacts his roster construction.
Contrasting that with the lens of college-specific fans, who tend to see things via guard play (unless we’re talking UK/Kansas/UNC/Duke that get pro bigs every year seemingly), it’s easy for me to identify the different logics as someone that dabbles with analysis at both levels.
You can build a winner through both approaches IMO. But quality guards are a dime-a-dozen, particularly in the portal era. Legit bigs are much harder to acquire and present a bigger mismatch IMO.
September 8th, 2022 at 11:34 AM ^
So Matt is it true that Michigan offered and is recruiting Bronny?
September 8th, 2022 at 12:42 PM ^
You don't really "offer" Bronny. More likely, you contact Lebron James through back channels to get his initial approval, unless you're Juwan Howard, and have direct contact.
In any event, Michigan isn't actively recruiting Bronny at this point.
September 8th, 2022 at 12:06 PM ^
Absolutely wild to me that we essentially are only in the thick of it for 3 players. Net should have been cast way bigger.
Did we even recruit Jackson hard?
September 8th, 2022 at 12:50 PM ^
We don't know how widely the net has been cast, and this kind of airy criticism is tired.
September 8th, 2022 at 6:16 PM ^
Based on reported offers we have a pretty damn good idea.
September 8th, 2022 at 2:37 PM ^
Pretty disappointing that we can miss out on pretty much every target we've had and will have to fall into more plan C and D guys eventually. Insane that we can't get a guard when there are only 3 on the roster and 1 is probably leaving after this year anyway.
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