2019 MBB Recruiting: 4* SG Lester Quinones
Sounds like Michigan is reaching out to at least one 2019 player (probably more, but Beilein recruits in a cloak of silence). Lester Quinones is a SG currently at IMG Academy where former Beilein assistant John Mahoney is the head man.
Quinones is 6'5" and currently rated #64 in 247 composite and #74 to 247. Brian Snow said he'll be moving up in the rankings though. LSU and St Johns are apparently the leaders at this point.
First " YMRMFSPA" after 2 minutes of tape is a slimmed down and more athletic version of former UM recruit Jaron Cumberland, who's playing quite well at Cinci. An above average shooter who's pretty filled out in h.s., and can put the ball on the floor when needed and get to the rim occasionally.
Per Dotman at 247, seems to hint at at least a small increased possibility of an early entry departure of a 2 guard on the roster.
February 7th, 2019 at 4:03 PM ^
I was wondering if we were still going after a SG to round out the 2019 class. Feels like a real need for this class and our team in the next 2-3 years.
Sign him up!!!
February 7th, 2019 at 4:14 PM ^
Looking at the roster, I think that's the most pressing need no matter who leaves (unless it's Simpson, in which case you'd have to take PG...but that's not gonna happen).
February 7th, 2019 at 4:04 PM ^
This team will look real thin at wing in a hurry if we lose Matthews, Poole and Iggy this off season.
February 7th, 2019 at 4:11 PM ^
If Iggy needed another year at prep school last year to get ready for college - he needs at least two years to get ready for the NBA, by god.
Matthews not allowed to go pro until he shoots FTs at 70% and can consistently get 10 points per game in at least 6 games straight. Scientific fact.
Poole just needs more seasoning.
Will be much better for them after we win the 2020 Tourney, making it back to back...
February 7th, 2019 at 4:25 PM ^
Isn't Matthew's a senior?
February 7th, 2019 at 4:29 PM ^
He's a redshirt junior. He's gone after this year (doesn't have to be gone, obviously, but he's gone).
February 7th, 2019 at 4:46 PM ^
Gotcha. Thanks
February 7th, 2019 at 5:37 PM ^
Everyone has assumed that Matthews is gone but Beilein said a couple of days ago that he will have a decision to make after the season. It was an unprompted statement and I'm not sure why he said it if he was really sure Matthews wouldn't return.
February 7th, 2019 at 4:35 PM ^
I personally don't think Iggy displays the kind of potential the NBA drools over. He's already highly skilled* so there's not much room for improvement there. His flaws are physical: lack of length and quick feet so he's not a good defender and doesn't go around guys on offense so much as he goes through guys. Those are red flags to the NBA.
I do think there is one area for improvement in terms of skills and that's his ability to create for others. He thus far has not shown much willingness to do that. If he can get there, he has a chance to be an NBA player, maybe a good one. It'll be interesting to see if teams are willing to take him based on that potential to get there or prefer him to stay and prove it before they're willing to take him in the first round.
February 7th, 2019 at 5:24 PM ^
I would be willing to eat a lemon if we lost all....no. Nevemind. I would be very surprised if we lost all three.
If we do however it means we had one awesome finish to the season.
February 7th, 2019 at 4:05 PM ^
Poole leaving early would seem to be a massive mistake honestly. Matthews and Brazdeikis are at least showing up as 2nd rounders on some draft boards but Poole has fallen off most of them. And it's not he's been playing that well recently to indicate a jump in his stock. I would really be shocked if Poole left early.
I think it's a forgone conclusion that Matthews goes pro after this year. Iggy and Poole are both only showing up as 2nd rounders on some draft boards and have plenty of time and ability to raise their stock, so I would think/hope both are planning to come back as of now. If another scholarship is opening up, my guess would be a transfer. Davis (behind Teske/Johns and next year probably behind Castleton too) or even Brooks (3rd guard right now but not playing well and at risk of falling behind Nunez/DJD next year) would make more sense to me.
February 7th, 2019 at 4:38 PM ^
Yeah, it seems like it would take a pretty massive leap for Poole to get into the first round, and I can't imagine he'd leave to be a second round pick when he could be the unquestioned guy next year.
Seems more likely that this could indicate a Brooks transfer (or maybe even a Nunez transfer?) rather than a Poole departure. Will Davis graduate this year? If so, I would agree that he'd probably be a likely candidate to transfer. If not, there'd be no reason for him to leave and sit out a year instead of staying and graduating.
February 7th, 2019 at 5:12 PM ^
I just found a link to a HoopsHype prospect ranking based off the average of 5 major site's mocks, and Poole only even shows up on one mock. He's ranked 67th, Matthews is 39th, and Iggy is 36th showing up on 4/5 mocks (and twice in the 2nd round). So Poole wouldn't even be drafted according to that and Iggy is a second rounder. Both haven't had NBA feedback yet and would be 21 at the 2020 draft so I feel like entering their names, getting feedback, and coming back makes the most sense.
I doubt Nunez would transfer. He was the lowest ranked recruit who went to prep school, I think he and everyone was aware he'd be sitting for a bit before he played. True about Davis though, he's a RS SO now so unless he graduates a year early he's not graduating after this year.
February 7th, 2019 at 5:45 PM ^
My take is that this is simply Beilein doing his due diligence.
He's been recruiting Quinones for some time, this isn't a prospect just popping up on Michigan's radar. Quinones said he's going to decide in late Spring. Wouldn't it be malpractice not to keep on him just in case?
February 7th, 2019 at 5:22 PM ^
Dotman also said over at TMI that NBA guys he talks to say Poole is regarded as the best NBA prospect on the team currently.
February 7th, 2019 at 5:45 PM ^
That could be true long term but that doesn't mean he's draft ready today. It's also not saying much since this Michigan team doesn't have many or any elite NBA prospects.
He's a SG, whose best skill is shooting, and he's shooting 34% on 3's since B1G play restarted. I posted the link above but on 4/5 major site mock drafts Poole didn't make an appearance. This could all change by seasons end but as of today I don't think he'd even get drafted.
February 7th, 2019 at 8:23 PM ^
The kid is a player. There are good reasons why his offensive efficiency is down. He will likely be a better pro player than a college one.
February 8th, 2019 at 10:54 PM ^
Whoever down-voted me here doesn't know a damn thing about assessing talent or playing the game-just so you know. Neg away-but it simply represents pure ignorance.
February 7th, 2019 at 5:32 PM ^
Maybe Brooks is transferring after this season
February 7th, 2019 at 6:10 PM ^
If Iggy and and Poole both come back, I'd be ecstatic. I'm assuming Matthews is gone. But, with those guys back, plus Teske and Simpson, plus the rest of the vaunted freshman class as sophomores, plus the two new guys, watch out next year for Michigan. We'll be better than this year and almost a lock for the Final Four.
February 7th, 2019 at 6:28 PM ^
There is no such thing as a lock to the final 4. Come on.
February 7th, 2019 at 7:11 PM ^
True but if we return Iggy, Poole, Livers, Teske, and Simpson then we would most likely be the Favorite for next season. It would be Final Four or Bust
February 7th, 2019 at 6:31 PM ^
At this point in time I'm honestly very curious who from Michigan is going to the draft. Matthews is definitely gone. Iggy is probably gone unless he has a major slump. Poole it's hard to tell. But I guess this renewed interest either means that all 3 could be going, or that one or a few people are transferring (Davis? Brooks?)
February 10th, 2019 at 6:11 AM ^
I think Iggy comes back next year and gets more consistent, on both ends of the court.
February 9th, 2019 at 12:04 AM ^
Hi I'm John Quiñones