With the April live evaluation periods in the rear-view, let's take a look at the priority board for guards in the 2024 and 2025 classes. 

 

2024 Christian Anderson

In a win against a tough @BTIHoops PRO16

4 ⭐️ Christian Anderson (@chrisanders2024 ) finished with 22 pts 8-13fg, 3-6 from three, 5 rebounds and 3 assist and 1 steal

6’6 Jordyn Buchanan ( @Sl1m2reaper ) finished with 17 pts (3-5 from three) 5 rebounds and 2 assist.

6’6… pic.twitter.com/uNjxPVN2DZ

— Team Judah Nation - PRO16 (@TeamJudahNation) April 25, 2023

Michigan's lone commit in the 2024 class has been putting up big numbers during the month of April. The perimeter shotmaking ability is beyond question at this point, and Anderson continued to back that up by hitting three triples per game over the last two weekends. The playmaking is a pleasant surprise though, as Christian averaged 4.3 assists over the weekend.

That said, this has to be balanced with the competition level. The original plan was to suit up for the Atlanta Celtics on the Adidas 3SSB circuit, but Anderson is currently playing for Team Judah Nation in the Pro16 League. There's really no way around it, playing in a league that isn't one of the big three shoe-circuits makes it challenging to evaluate a prospect whose biggest question marks surround the lack of size/length/athleticism. 

The good news here is that Christian is transferring to Oak Hill Academy for his senior season of high school. So while we won't be able to get a good feel for what level prospect he is this summer, playing on the NIBC circuit with Oak Hill in the winter will certainly be a good litmus test. 

 

2024 Boogie Fland

 

 

 

 

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I was in Phoenix over the weekend for EYBL Session II and it was clear that 5-star Johnuel "Boogie" Fland sits near the top of the board for the 2024 class. Head Coach Juwan Howard was front row for both Saturday games and Boogie didn't disappoint, averaging 18.3 points through four games over the weekend.

Fland checks a lot of boxes, with good positional size for a lead guard at 6'3, a pull-up game from both distance and midrange and the ability to create shots for others. 

As with all 5-stars, this is an uphill battle. Boogie has offers from the bluebloods and a plethora of SEC programs. In early April, 247 mentioned Michigan as a school that could potentially receive a junior year visit this Summer, and I'm hearing that is indeed a possibility. 

Michigan has a connection here, as assistant coach Howard Eisley's son is a teammate of Fland at Archbishop Stepinac in New York. There's a personal connection here that is keeping Michigan in the hunt. Getting Boogie on campus for an official visit is key. 

[Hit THE JUMP for the full rundown on 2024s + 2025s]

2024 Travis Perry

Travis Perry highlights from Adidas Chapter 1 with Indiana Elite! @3SSBCircuit @Travis_Perry11 pic.twitter.com/cvmJhpTXgW

— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) April 24, 2023

Perry is off to a strong start for Indiana Elite as the third leading scorer on the Adidas 3SSB circuit at 23ppg. Travis is potent perimeter shotmaker, with a nice pull-up game from both distance and midrange while having the ability to knock down movement jumpers off screens. Doesn't possess ideal agility and may lack top-end athleticism, but he he has the look of someone that is a double digit scorer in the B10 as early as his sophomore season.

Perry is scheduled to host Michigan for an in-home visit this week per 247 and plans to narrow his list soon. Indiana and Purdue are two of the other programs in strong contention here. But I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this particular recruitment. Travis is from Kentucky, and I will assume he's going to end up a Wildcat unless Calipari decides he's not a take. The bummer for the B10 programs is that UK can probably wait until other options dry up and simply swoop in at the end and earn a commitment despite not putting in the work during the early stages. 

 

2024 Durral Brooks

Better known as Phat Phat, the Grand Rapids native had a solid outing in Phoenix with 12ppg and 3.3apg in three contests. From an evaluation perspective, Durral has a playstyle that resembles former Denver Nuggets PG Andre Miller. Physically developed lead guard with a good midrange game and solid playmaking, but approaching a non-threat from distance. Through 7 games of EYBL play, Brooks has only attempted six threes in total. 

We haven't heard much about Michigan and Phat Phat in recent months, but I can confirm Juwan Howard was courtside for Durral during The Family's Saturday morning contest against Houston Hoops. 

While Michigan is still pursuing Phat Phat, he's likely lower on the board in relation to the aforementioned Fland as things stand right now. 

 

2025 Trey McKenney

Trey is playing up a year in the 17u division and averaged 9.8ppg, 2.8apg, 31.3% FG and 13% from 3 in four games. I was able to watch McKenney in detail over the weekend in Phoenix and it was a mixed bag. The shotmaking talent is undeniable as evidenced by my film above. At 6'5 with a solid handle and the ability to hit pull-ups, there's a lot to like there. But I'm not quite as high on Trey in relation to his 5-star ranking from the industry leaders.

From a physical perspective, he moves more like a PF than a true guard and his frame is already carrying a lot of mass as a sophomore. From a skill perspective, McKenney's shot diet includes a lot of contested midrange pull-ups and post-isos. He's a capable shotmaker from distance, but not necessarily potent in that regard just yet. Would definitely like to see him get to the rim more in half-court scenarios. I'm really intrigued to see his development over the next year and change, where possible outcomes range from shotmaking SG to face-up PF.

On the recruiting trail, Trey has long been a Wolverine priority and that was further solidified in Phoenix. Juwan Howard was front row for Meanstreets' Saturday morning matchup versus Vegas Elite and assistant coach Howard Eisley took in McKenney's afternoon game against Pro Skills. Still a long way to go in this recruitment, but Michigan will likely maintain a strong presence. 

 

2025 Darryn Peterson

Darryn Peterson highlights from Adidas 3SSB Chapter 1! Top 5 player in nation! @3SSBCircuit @PetersonDarryn pic.twitter.com/Bhur2nfJND

— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) April 23, 2023

I'm going to be candid here, Peterson is at a different level than any of the aforementioned prospects. The 6'5 sophomore had multiple 40 points efforts over the weekend and it's rather obvious this is a kid with a ton of potential to play in the NBA. I'll spare you an in-depth evaluation because the film above makes it quite clear as to how talented he is. 

Juwan Howard kicked off his weekend in Texas by taking in Peterson's 16u game. You don't often see HCs commence the live evaluation period at a 16u game, so that says something about something. Darryn visited Michigan back in October and the Wolverines have been constantly mentioned in recruiting updates since then. Peterson's comments to 247 Sunday shed light on Michigan's approach:

"Michigan: I have visited there. I watch a lot of Jordan Poole highlights and saw how they ran their offense through him. I think we have similar games. He has more of a bag than me but he can shoot it and get to the rim."

All the bluebloods will be in heavy pursuit when it comes time for Darryn to get serious. Hopefully the Wolverine staff has built a strong enough rapport with the Ohio native to fend off some serious competition.