18 MBB Commit David DeJulius Highlights
There's been a lot of skepticism surrounding the basketball program recently, thought I'd provide some content that can perhaps provide some optimism. Here are some highlights I put together of 18 commit/ESPN 4star PG David DeJulius last week in front of Coach Beilein.
Really impressed with David's ability to shoot off the dribble, he's one of the best I've seen in that regard.
http://endlessmotor.net/2017/02/07/david-dejulius-drops-25-points-in-fr…
February 6th, 2017 at 8:59 PM ^
So what we fans have to look forward to now with MBB is a freshman PG two years from now whose only listed offer is Michigan?
February 6th, 2017 at 9:07 PM ^
probably going to be a nice upgade over Xavier Simpson in terms of freshman production. He can shoot from anywhere on the court, either off the catch or the dribble. I can just about guarantee he'll be much better offensively.
With respect to offers, Dave held offers from DePaul, UofD, Oakland U before picking up the Michigan offer. Right before the Michigan offer, Kentucky jumped in the mix as well. DeJulius is a life-long Michigan fan, and while the Kentucky interest made him think for 4-5 days, he ultimately went with his heart.
The rankings services have taken notice of Dave as well, as his production in the 16u EYBL bracket last year couldn't be denied (dropped 40 against MSU commit Foster Loyer). This year he is averaging close to 30 points per game and 5 assists. He's currently a 4 star to ESPN, #126 to Rivals, 149 to 247, and Scout hasn't updated their 18 rankings in ages (bankrupt, just bought out by 247).
All in all, I think this is a reasonable upgrade in terms of raw talent from a recruiting perspective.
February 6th, 2017 at 9:32 PM ^
Matt,
I've read your comments over time and respect your lack of "hot takes". Can you tell me what you thought of X out of HS? I know everyone misses on evals at times but this was going to be our instant contributor. Is he a lost cause - he looks worse than Kam Chatman did as a freshman and Kam looked horrid. You just don't make leaps like that from FR to SO years as guards or small forwards IMO. So I have doubts he is going to be around long term or do much of anything ever and it's 3 years of space eaten up in scholarship. Even with Caris you saw glimpes of high potential from a very young guy (think he had a very late birthday for his year) as a freshman even if his year scoring/rebound averages were not superlative. Guys like Nik, Mitch, GR3, Burke you saw it right away obviously.
X on the other hand just looks like Kam to me; lost, out of his league, uncomfortable, lacking 1 plus skill.
February 6th, 2017 at 9:37 PM ^
I viewed him live a ton in EYBL, and he displayed the ability to score in half court sets with a nice elbow jumpshot and a really nice floater to compensate for his lack of size. He was certainly a bulldog on defense then, and appears to be above average already in that regard in college. That said, most of X Simpson's production in HS was transition based, something that probably isn't going to translate to Michigan because our tempo is slow.
I was pretty high on X coming into the season, but once I was able to view a live practice, I knew right then and there he was going to need significant time to develop. He looked sub-par in pick and roll sets, could not create off the dribble for himself in the halfcourt, and isn't a great shooter.
All in all it seems like a bad fit at this point in terms of system.......X would likely be a great fit at Louisville or Texas, but we simply don't run that type of offensive or defensive system at Michigan under Coach Beilein.
Still too early to write X off, as he's just a freshman, but I'd be lying to say I don't have serious concerns about him moving forward.
February 6th, 2017 at 9:13 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 9:22 PM ^
Have you seen Xavier Simpson play?
February 6th, 2017 at 9:13 PM ^
WD: I know you've grown very sour on JB. Many others have, too. But DeJulius committed early. He's a 4 star PG. I'm sure the offer sheet would grow substantially over the next few months. JB has hit on a few prospects like this before (Glenn Robinson - another early commit who eventually exploded in the ratings). I know, I know. We all want to see more top 50 blue chippers commit to our program. But dissing every non 5 star JB recruit going forward is not a healthy way to live.
February 6th, 2017 at 9:14 PM ^
You're either extremely optimistic or extremely pessimistic, aren't you? Nothing in between?
February 6th, 2017 at 10:07 PM ^
Not pessimistic, just assessing the situation.
Very hard to excited about recruiting classes 2 years from now. I thought X was gonna be really good. Some even said he was better than Cassius Winston.
February 6th, 2017 at 10:45 PM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 6:58 AM ^
to understand his job until March, right? I haven't seen as many games this season with a newborn (second child) and a new job, but when I have, X has looked underwhelming in comparison to other frehsmen past. Caris and McGary and even Walton flashed more. But Wagner really didn't start flashing until March last year.
JB just seems to cosntrict his players growth with a syllabus schedule of what they can do when. I still think he's a great coach. His flaws are evident, but he's one of the best coaches, still, at player development.
February 6th, 2017 at 9:17 PM ^
There will be a lot of addition via subtraction after this season.
February 7th, 2017 at 12:44 AM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 9:01 PM ^
He seems good at basketball
February 7th, 2017 at 5:35 AM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 8:25 AM ^
right now, I'd take one who is bad at basketball, but super gritty. hard-nosed on d, tons of effort, dive for balls and call guys out. even if he stinks at the actual basketball.
February 6th, 2017 at 9:18 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 9:20 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 9:23 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 9:27 PM ^
late in the cycle. His athleticism, motor, length, and court vision is exactly what this program needs. I think he's going to be an absolute stud as a sophomore once his frame fills out. I think he's the most underrated player in the country.
February 6th, 2017 at 9:44 PM ^
February 6th, 2017 at 9:48 PM ^
but not necessarily going to be offered in the near future. Right now the priority board reads Mo Bamba................and nothing else. If Bamba gives Michigan a definitive no, then we will start looking elsewhere. Hopefully its not too late to get in the mix with Greg at that point, should it come to fruition.
February 6th, 2017 at 9:37 PM ^
I think you accidentally used Xavier Simpson's highlight film...
February 6th, 2017 at 10:05 PM ^
Eli Brooks had a huge game tonight too. 32 pt, 23 rbs, 6 assists. I thought I read that you were not initially that high on him, Matt D., but are you coming around? He's having a quite a season so far.
February 6th, 2017 at 10:18 PM ^
February 7th, 2017 at 8:56 PM ^