With only three true guards on the roster heading into the 2022-23 season, the staff will likely look to add an instant impact type from the portal should a scholarship open up due to attrition via early-entry/transfer.

But given Michigan's academic constraints with respect to transfers that have yet to graduate from their prior institution, an incoming transfer would likely be a single season remedy. Accounting for that, traditional HS prospects will be pursued to fill-out the 2023-24 roster. 

Let's take a look at pecking order of HS prospects coming off the first live evaluation period of 2022. 

 

Aden Holloway (La Lumiere HS/Nike Team CP3 AAU)

Height/Weight: Listed at 6' - 6'1 and the 155-170 range. 6'0 and 165 looks about right. 

Weekend Performance: 17.5ppg, 5asst, 47.1% FG, 33% from 3 through four games

Mainstream Ranking: 4-star/30-80 overall.

EM Ranking/Evaluation: Projects to have the impact of top 40-60 level prospect. Very good shooter that consistently connects on triples off the catch with NBA range. Also hits threes off movement via screens + relocations while being a pull-up threat from both distance and midrange. Above-average/good ballhandler that can change direction/speed with a live dribble but not the shiftiest prospect you'll find. Good finisher given his limited size/athleticism, as he has good body control in the air and is adept with off-hand layups. Impressed as a playmaker for others last weekend, consistently creating shots for teammates that resulted in easy buckets. Has the look of a very good offensive player at the college level that may not have the physical attributes to be coveted by NBA GMs absent high-level production in college. 

Recruitment: Offered two weeks ago. Leading man Juwan Howard was front and center for Aden's opening game and attended at least 3 of his games over the weekend. Quite obvious Holloway is at the top of the board for 2023 guards. Other offers include Arizona State, Creighton, Cincinnati, Auburn, Notre Dame and Syracuse among others. Has visited Wake Forest and Auburn. Has family ties to Michigan, as Mom is an alum. Staff going all-in at the moment and that seems to make sense given the connections. 

[Hit THE JUMP for Collier, Allen, Jackson]

Isaiah Collier (Marietta Wheeler HS/Nike Skill Factory AAU)

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.

Weekend Performance: 16.2ppg, 5.5sst, 48.7% FG, 73.5% FT (on 34 attempts!) through 4 games. 

Mainstream Ranking: 5-star/top 10-25 prospect overall

EM Ranking/Evaluation: Although I have yet to see Collier live, the poor man's Jrue Holiday similarities immediately pop out. Above average positional size, a chiseled frame, tons of strength and good athleticism. It doesn't stop with the physical comps though, as Isaiah has the look of an elite playmaker for others with outstanding spatial awareness and passing acumen. He consistently manipulates the defense before dropping precision dimes for teammates. He's also an excellent finisher for a guard, which isn't surprising given that his physique + athleticism allows him to absorb contact and maintain balance. As a shooter, he displays flashes of hitting pull-ups from distance, but the mechanics definitely have some unnecessary motion. Without the benefit of seeing him in multiple games, I'd lean toward Collier being an average shooter at this point. In sum, Isaiah has the highest floor of the four prospects. Has the look of a kid that could step in as a freshman and be a rotational player based on his college-ready frame + playmaking + finishing ability. The staff feels the same way.

Recruitment: Offer reported in early March. Michigan took in a game on Friday to open the live evaluation period, but Juwan Howard clearly prioritized Holloway in the pecking order. Heavy SEC/ACC flavor early on, with offers from Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, UNC, NC State, Florida State, Louisville, Florida among many others. That pictures gives a certain vibe, but he also visited Cincinnati in early February so this recruitment may be viable. Although Michigan didn't make a way-too-early top seven, Collier says he's still been in contact with the staff and continues to be wide-open in his recruitment. 

 

Marvel Allen (Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian HS/Nike Skill Factory AAU)

Height/Weight: 6'4/195 (listed measurements), most likely a legit 6'2 - 6'3 and 185-190

Weekend Performance: 10.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 42.3% FG through three games.

Mainstream Ranking: top-20 prospect overall to both the 247 + On3 composite rankings. 

EM Ranking/Evaluation: Projected impact more closely resembles that of a 35-70 range prospect. More scorer than shooter that excels as a volume on-ball type that creates his own offense. College ready frame + solid positional size coupled with good athleticism allow him to finish through contact and absorb defenders attempting to bump him off his spots when penetrating to the rim. Average jumpshooter capable of hitting pull-ups from midrange, and from distance at times. Doesn't play off-ball much, so hard to measure his effectiveness as a floor-spacing shooter. Not a great playmaker for others at this stage of development. Probably a high-floor player at the college level due to size + frame/scoring ability. Likely my least favorite of the four options. 

Recruitment: Offered in late March. Teammate of Isaiah Collier for Skill Factory, so the staff did evaluate him over the weekend as well. There are some connections here, as Allen attends the same HS as 2022 signee Greg Glenn. On the other hand, Marvel was committed to LSU prior to Will Wade's termination. Those two factors in tandem make this a unique recruitment from a Michigan perspective. There will be no shortage of suitors for Allen throughout the Summer. 

 

Elmarko Jackson (Academy of the New Church HS/Under Armour WeR1 AAU)

Height/Weight: 6'3/185 (listed measurements), and that sounds about right per the eye test. 

Weekend Performance: Under Armour boxscores are a mess, so a short summary of my notes from Saturday will have to do. The best I've seen Jackson as a jumpshooter, as he hit multiple pull-ups as seen above in addition to a catch + shoot triple off movement. Has always thrived as a dribble-drive threat based on size/strength/athleticism and that was the case again on Saturday. 

Mainstream Ranking: 4-star/70-140 overall

EM Ranking/Evaluation: To be candid, I couldn't take much from my evaluation Saturday. Under Armour is really down in terms of talent/competition level. WeR1 went 4-0 on the weekend against teams with a combined record of 6-10 in UA play while defeating the competition by an average margin of 16.8 points. That said, I've seen enough of Jackson over the last 2 years to have a sound basis. He checks all the boxes from a physical perspective, with good positional size + length, some real acceleration and outstanding vertical pop as a leaper. Above-average handle and is a solid playmaker for others. The jumper has been a bit inconsistent in my live viewings and that is what's holding him back a bit. 

Recruitment: Assistant Coach Phil Martelli took in a game on Friday night. The nephew of former Michigan + Indianapolis Colt standout Marlin Jackson. Would definitely be open to a pursuit from the Wolverines. Has visited Maryland, Miami and St. Johns. Can't really consider this one serious until Juwan Howard gets involved despite the family ties.