Source: Eli Brooks to Return
Some happy news. As first reported by Matt from Endless Motor, Eli Brooks is coming back to Michigan for his fifth season of eligibility granted by the NCAA for the COVID year.
Running it back. pic.twitter.com/FxeDUZebCD
— LAbound (@LAbound2) April 10, 2021
Ace recently went over what Eli’s return could mean for next year’s program:
Brooks could start at either guard spot depending on team need and stabilize a backcourt that's otherwise projected to be very inexperienced. We've seen time and again how important Brooks' presence is to the team beyond simple box score contributions; having him on the court to help initiate the offense and keep the defense organized would put this team right back in contention for a one-seed, in my opinion.
…and discussed lineup possibilities if Eli and others return. Among their 5th year seniors, Michigan awaits word from Chaundee Brown, who’s still a good 40% possibility, and perhaps another run for big man Austin Davis. Isaiah Livers and Franz Wagner are still expected to go to the draft, though neither’s made that official.
Thank God.
I appreciate any strings that you pulled here, Vlad.
Eli has always been the glue of this team. This is huge for next year. I thought I also heard that our offensive efficiency in 250 possessions where he was running point was actually higher than when Smith running point. Excited for next year....go blue!
Wow, that's terrific information, thanks for that.
Eli is so important to the team, his mentorship of the new guys will prove invaluable as they can build on that themselves and also become future mentors.
Thanks Eli, we really appreciate your love of M basketball!!!!
Yes Brian said it on one of the podcasts.
6th year? Wouldn’t it be his 5th?
Definitely only his 5th. Class of 2017 with Livers.
Fifth?
Damn if we havent said this before but anybody else get a Joe Dumars vibe from Eli? Strong d, great jumper, quiet as hell and always cool under pressure?
cool story bro comment coming at you
When I was in 5th grade (I think) back in Farmington, Joe Dumars came to a basketball camp I was attending, talked a bit about form and then showed off his shooting skills.
Of course he couldn’t miss but then he said (paraphrasing) “even if your form is just a touch off you can see you will not be hitting as well”. He then purposely shifted his form just a touch to show this ...and then proceeded to rim out 3 balls but all of them did a whole loop around the rim before popping out
all of us were amazed.
It was then my basketball man crush went wild with Joe
I’ll see myself out now
I love this story. Awesome share!!
Wasn’t it Joe D who was known for always going with the layup and never dunking? Eli may be eliminated from comparison if so, dude had a few monster dunks this season
Yes. I can't remember whether the lesson was from his dad or his HS coach in Natchitoches, but he explained why he never dunked early in his career.
Well, Joe D is a Hall of Famer so that might be setting the bar a little high. On a worse team, he might have averaged 25 a game in his prime, but the Pistons were so deep that everyone's stats were sacrificed a bit.
Regardless, this is great news if true. Have we gotten a statement from Eli himself?
So psyched by this. Of course Franz will be missed on both ends of the court, the post-season showed what's missing when Livers isn't available, and Brown's energy off the bench would make a huge difference too, but Brooks has been the team's MVP this year in my mind.
This is a long way from my attitude about him a year or two ago when he would always ball-fake and pass on his open looks. He's developed a sweet stroke on his J, the mid-range floaters and penetration find seams in the floor, and he always has his hands in the opponent's passing lanes.
Eli returning plugs the hole at the point with Smith moving on, and allows a youngster to grow into that role while he provides stability as backup at that position. This allows Juwan to look for a swingman in the portal rather than a veteran PG.
I love Eli and everything he brings to the team, however I disagree about the “floaters” take. I’m pretty sure he makes them at a 2% clip
Yeah I think he needs to cut the floaters out of his game. He has had better results with mid range jumpers than his around the rim floaters and Id prefer him to go more that route. Maybe he needs to go work out all offseason with Xavier Simpson then next year just start burying little hook shots and floaters on everyone.
April 11th, 2021 at 11:42 AM ^
The floater is creeping back into the game at the college and NBA levels; as with all shooting, there is a science about doing them right. There are pretty high percentage possibilities with the shot, depending on distance. The big variables are body control and nerve.
Don't expect him to abandon it.
Great news! But it’s his 5th year as he never redshirted
5th year.
Thank you sweet Baby Jesus. Baseball and softball beat OSU and the men’s soccer team beat MSU in the Big Ten Tournament. Add this in and that is a solid day.
Have to get the bad taste out from the last game. Glad to have him back, if true.
Man has to know himself. He’s not playing in the NBA unless his shooting, both outside and at the rim, is more consistent. Showcase those skills, get a postgraduate degree from one of the most respected universities in the world, either or both set you for a life well lived. I’m happy for Eli, well done young man
Well, if both Smith and Brown are NBA players then Brooks sure the hell is. Elite defender.
Muppet worthy? Yes.
If Chaundee returns as well, definitely muppets.
But even just having a 5th year guard around is so critical in a tournament environment.
Good news?
Welcome back Eli!!!
Great senior leadership.
With Eli back, we need one of Zeb, Collins, or Bufkin to be able to contribute at big ten starter level. 3 top 100 players (one mcd AA)...how the times have changed at Michigan over last decade.
Collins is going to play serious minutes. He has the ball on a string.
He may have the ball on a string but he is also playing the hardest position to transition from HS to college ball while also being under 6 feet without a jumper. I think its going to take Collins a minute to get acclimated to playing in the Big 10. Id look for more from him a bit later in the season.
If Bufkin weren't coming off of injury like he is I'd think he would have been the favorite to land a lead role out of himself, Zeb, & Frankie. Can't teach size and he already combines a good shot with solid playmaking ability.
KB is more of two right? If Collins can develop a 3 pt shot he will be deadly. I don’t think we have seen quickness like him in sometime.
Do you have support for that claim? Cunningham and Suggs seemed to handle the transition very smoothly.
Actually I believe you just supported this claim for me. Cunningham is 6'9 with range from anywhere on the court. Suggs is 6'4 and shot 34% this season at Gonzaga so his outside shot was at least passible.
Im not saying Collnis isnt a good prospect who isnt going to be good at Michigan guys. I just don't think he is an instant impact player. He is going to have some incredible plays littered with a fair amount of inconsistency as a freshman. I think the sky is the limit for Frankie its just going to take a bit of development and patience.
He had a hairline wrist fracture. His cast is off and he has the whole summer to get back in the swing of things. Not like he tore his Achilles or something. He is a mcd AA and will play like it.
April 11th, 2021 at 12:10 AM ^
Collins has performed well against high level teams like ypsi prep (emoni bates’ team) and scored 28 points in that one. 50th ranked player in country who backcourt teammate is #2 recruit, so he benefits from practicing against hardy as well I’m sure. People are really underselling they talent coming in. Sure they may take some time but the offense will run thru hunter
This is great news! He will make an enormous impact on the court and be an excellent role model for the young guys, especially the guards. Thank you, Mr. Brooks!
This kid just jumped into my top 5 favorite UM bball players of all time.
Basketball deserves good things!
POSBANG!!!
GO BLUE!
For the incoming class it’ll probably be like having a coach in the backcourt.
Important point.
Absolutely awesome news for Michigan Basketball.
TURGID
One could argue this is the most critical return as far as next years roster stands.
This is huge!!!
Yessirreebob
Perhaps a year from now were going to be getting another return of Eli Brooks post. This time as a graduate assistant.
I see at least a career in Europe, before a grad assistant.
This is awesome!
I don't care how many incoming potential stars you have - teams need senior-level leadership. Very glad to hear this one. Let's hope Chaundee and Austin follow suit and return for another run!!
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