It seems a bit early to discuss 2023 recruiting, as we're still not fully up to speed for 2022 in light of the health crisis. But, June 15th is the annual date on which juniors-to-be can be contacted directly by college coaches. And with that we have some early insight as to which prospects Juwan Howard and staff are giving serious looks to. Let's run through the early candidates by position with my initial pecking order at each. Guards here. 

**Caveat - I have yet to see some of these prospects live, and so my evaluation may not be fully informed. I will reflect this where applicable.**

Wings

1) Javonte "J.J." Taylor

Measurements: 6'8/190

School/AAU: Kenwood Academy (IL)/Mac Irvin Fire (Nike EYBL-Chicago)

Short Evaluation: Prototype/NBA positional size/length. Outstanding shooter when feet are set. Can create off the dribble and has solid vision. Good athlete but not necessarily a quick-twitch type. Makes the game look extremely easy at times. Will undoubtedly be playing professional basketball within the next three years. Top-10 prospect to mainstreams and I agree. 

Recruitment: Michigan offered him when the direct contact period commenced and watched him during the live evaluation period last weekend. This is the type of prospect that generally lands at Kentucky and the Wolverines would likely have no chance here but for Juwan Howard's heavy connections to Chicago and specifically the Mac Irvin Fire. There is definitely a chance Taylor goes the professional route, but Michigan will be in the thick of things here if college is the option.

2) Omaha Biliew

Measurements: 6'8/210

School/AAU: Montverde Academy (IL)/Mokan Elite (Nike EYBL-Kansas City)

Short Evaluation: Haven't seen him play live, but definitely appears to have the highest floor of this entire group. Will be an instant-impact college player should he go that route. College ready frame, three-level scoring ability. Can handle the ball a bit. May not necessarily have the ceiling that Taylor/Evans possess, but he's a walking mismatch at the college level that can play up to three different positions on offense while being a good rebounder. Would be my preferred choice without question. Top-5 prospect to mainstreams and it is very easy to see why. 

Recruitment: Michigan offered him..........in May of 2020, but there hasn't been much mention of Michigan recently. Juwan Howard being the ace recruiter he is, will likely find a way to get in the hunt here. 

[Hit THE JUMP for the remainder of the 23' Wings]

3) Kwame Evans

Measurements: 6'9/190

School/AAU: Montverde Academy (FL)/Team Durant (Nike EYBL/DMV-area)

Short Evaluation: Prototype/NBA positional size/length. Haven't seen him play live, but gives off Tayshaun Prince vibes as a jumbo wing that knocks down perimeter shots off the catch and the bounce while taking advantages of mismatches in the post. Upside off the charts. Will undoubtedly be playing professional basketball within the next three years. Early 5-star to mainstreams and that's hard to argue with given his long-term projection. 

Recruitment: Michigan contacted him when the direct contact period commenced. Originally from the DMV, so there are Phil Martelli ties along with the Montverde connection with Juwan Howard/Caleb Houstan. Michigan will likely offer at some point in the near future. 

4) Ja'Kobe Walter

School/AAU: McKinney HS (TX)/Team Trae Young (Adidas/Oklahoma)

Short Evaluation: Perimeter shotmaker that is a three-level scorer that generates his own offense off the bounce. Has solid vision as a playmaker. Versatile + skilled enough to be just as good off the ball. Shooting mechanics sort of funky (shot origin too low, no lower body lift). Limited athlete. Projects as a good college player that should be around for multiple years. Mainstreams have him in the 15-50 range which feels right. Essentially a high 4-star that doesn't have ideal size/length/athleticism for the position that NBA GMs love. 

Recruitment: Michigan contacted him when the direct contact period commenced. Not much public mention of Michigan lately. Feels like a tier 2 option given the prospects above. 

⭐️ John Gamble
( @_jaygamble_ )
? Punta Gorda , FL
↕️ 6’6” ? G/F ?2023
? @tarponhoops pic.twitter.com/YeP5WkAN85

— Ed Chery (@Coach_Chery) June 25, 2021

5) John Gamble

School/AAU: Port Charlotte (FL)/Team Breakdown (Under Armour/Miami)

Short Evaluation: Haven't see him play live, but definitely has the look of an explosive athlete that can knock down perimeter shots. Appears to have a high ceiling as a two-way prospect. Haven't seen enough film to confidently project his optimal role/usage in a half-court setting. 247 has him as a top-50 level prospect. 

Recruitment: Michigan contacted him when the direct contact period commenced. Nothing public with Michigan since then. Likely a kid the staff watches over the Summer to assess where he stands. 

6) Jalen Hooks

Measurements: 6'7/210

School/AAU: Crispus Attucks (IN)/George Hill All Indy (Independent-Indianapolis)

Short Evaluation: Good athlete with college ready frame that thrives in transition. Not really a perimeter shotmaker at this point. More of a second/third option in half-court settings at this stage of development. Capable of handling the ball a bit, but not a playmaker for others. Projects to be a good defender capable of defending SFs/PFs. Mainstreams have him in the 50-75 range and that feels about right. 

Recruitment: Michigan contacted him when the direct contact period commenced. With the way Michigan is recruiting these days, this is definitely a case where Michigan will watch him during the Summer and assess where things stand. 

2023 Curtis Williams (Brother Rice) is a freshman that will be on the national scene at some point soon.

6’5 wing with is a perimeter shotmaker that can knock down pull-ups off the bounce from both distance and midrange.

Impressive vs Orchard Lake tonight.@Curtis5Williams pic.twitter.com/gIR66ceX8o

— Endless Motor Sports (@endless_motor) February 27, 2020

7) Curtis Williams

Measurements: 6'5/200

School/AAU: Brother Rice HS (MI)/The Family (Nike EYBL-Detroit)

Short Evaluation: Solid pull-up jumper from both distance and midrange. Had some flashes as a playmaker for others during his sophomore year. Limited athlete. Projects more as off-ball shooter at the college level. Started off as 5-star during freshman year, but hasn't quite lived up to that reputation over the last year. Some coaches at the Chicagoland Summer Showcase live period thought of him as being closer to a mid-major prospect than a 5-star. Mainstreams have dropped him from early 5-star status, but still have him in the 30-60 range. Probably still too high, but still a prospect that will likely end up at the high-major level. 

Recruitment: Michigan contacted him when the direct contact period commenced. Staff was a bit disappointed at his sophomore year and development in general. Will see him in July and assess accordingly.