Basketball Recruiting Discussion: Stephen Zimmerman (2015 5* Center) to visit

Submitted by Dubs on

http://michigan.scout.com/2/1286745.html

Paid article; info in article title

Edit: Front page material, so discuss any 2015 (or other) basketball recruiting info here.  Who do you want? Who do you think Beilein will eventually land?

KAYSHIN15

April 25th, 2013 at 9:37 PM ^

I may have to try and start a "Maize Out" at one of his games. Im not above making "come to A2" signs and going to a few of his games. Im just saying.,,

Steve T

April 26th, 2013 at 7:49 AM ^

I think it would be better if you didn't do that.  I am sure this kid gets enough of a sale pitch everywhere he goes.  The coaches will take care of this to the best of their ability.  I would refrain from contacting any recruits in any way.  I am not sure if this is an NCAA violation but I am sure it is in bad taste.

M-Wolverine

April 25th, 2013 at 9:44 PM ^

But I'm open for some discussion about him....has anyone seen any info or video on him? Sounds like he could be the next great big man in maize and blue if we could get him.

M-Wolverine

April 25th, 2013 at 10:01 PM ^

Just thought with the football stuff he got shorted on the front and I haven't heard too much about him before we offered and would like to learn more. I think we've got good big depth coming, but you'd like a 5* centerpiece, because as we saw in the Tourney, they can certainly make things easier.

And if we can keep recruiting bigs like McGary to go with the line of awesome point guards we're kicking ass at the two most important spots in basketball.

MichiganManOf1961

April 25th, 2013 at 10:57 PM ^

Is this just a bad highlight video or should I not expect much from highlight videos of big men?  No basketball expert, but it looks to me like he plays like a 7 ft high school player.  Bunch of dunks, blocks, and rebounds over 6'4 guys.  He can dribble a little, but I didn't see what makes him a 5-star.  Can anyone point me to a better video or is this a normal, dry video of a big guy dunking on smaller guys?  He obviously has the offers to back up his play, but I just don't see what is so remarkable.  Does he have crazy stats in a tough league?

~Herm

DingoBlue

April 25th, 2013 at 11:09 PM ^

High-Major quality Centers in high school are always going to dominate based more on physical advantage rather than skill in highlight video.  That's part of the reason why it's a common saying that "big men develop later" because they won't be tested skill-wise until later in high school and in the AAU circuit.

That said, what jumps out to me (from this video) is his shot blocking.  That was I'd say the largest portion of what they were showing off in his video.  What seemed impressive to me about it though was that he would come out of nowhere to get the blocks, even considering he's generally around the basket.  I also get a high-motor sense from him, which is something that pays dividends in college (see: Mitch McGary).  I agree dunks aren't that impressive in high school, but what you should look for is how far away from the basket he can elevate to jump and/or how far above the basket he can get.  That's not something I can comment on for Stephen, I've not followed him much until recently.

cincyflintstone

April 25th, 2013 at 11:41 PM ^

He would be the best commit Beilein has ever had if he commits. His skill set for a 7 footer is UNREAL. He can move and handle the ball like a wing, but defends inside at a very high level. And unlike any Beilein Michigan recruit, he actually has post game. Not sure how much he likes us, but it would be a huge pick up for Michigan if we got him.

MichiganManOf1961

April 26th, 2013 at 7:48 AM ^

Oh yes, excuse me, I forgot this is MGoBlog.  Since he's a five-star and interested in us, he's the greatest thing since sliced bread and any questions about what quality of opponents he's playing are unreasonable.  Granted, if he was visiting MSU, everyone would be all, "LOL Sparty, have fun with your stick figure" "Better not break him!" "LOL he's from EARTH why are they recruiting him?" "Scout is the worst basketball ranking site!  Everyone knows that!!!" blah blah blah.  Excuse me that he looks like the only player over 6'4 in the video and plays with his face to the basketball for pretty much the entire video (though again, obviously this is a good thing no matter what because he might come to UM, if was wasn't interested everyone would be questioning the 1.5 post moves he showed). I'll go put my rose-colored glasses on so I can fit in here.

TJFB

April 26th, 2013 at 8:44 AM ^

To me he looks like he could develop into a future Withey or Zeller, and yes both of them were very lean. He may lack a polished back to the basket game, but he's still a high schooler. You can question his competition all you want, the athleticism, timing, and skill are there.

gutnedawg

April 26th, 2013 at 9:06 AM ^

He dribbles out of that double team like it's nothing. That's pretty impressive for a 7 footer. He is skinny but he's a 2015 kid so what would you expect from a 7 foot tall 15-17 year old. His tape isn't impressive like a Seventh Woods tape but he has a lot of potential and 7 footers with handles and a decent touch are rare.

Blue boy johnson

April 26th, 2013 at 9:28 AM ^

Herm, with all due respect, Zimmerman's 10th grade highlight video is very impressive.

I do know where you are coming from though. You probably remember when Bill Russell starred for those National Champion, San Francisco squads, or Lew Alcindor with UCLA, or even the Big Dipper, Wilt Chamberlin, with Kansas back in the day. Sure Zimmerman's 10th grade video can't compare with 3 of the best to ever play the game, but what can we truly expect? Bill Russell if you remember, was very limited offensively, with only a couple rudimentary offensive skills. while Wilt Chamberlain like to dunk, it was one of his specialties. Lew Alcindor was the only one of these 3 all time greats to have a highly skilled offensive game upon arriving to college and it resulted it pretty much never losing a game.

You've seen Zimmerman's 10th grade, 7',  highlights, Here are a few more of Withey 4* and Cody Zeller 5* to compare him with. I will also try to find some film of your contemporaries, Russell, Alcindor, and Chamberlain from their college days!!!!

Withey and Zeller:

Bill Russell showing why he might have been a 5* but was only a 3* coming out of HS

Lew Alcindor with UCLA:

Indonacious

April 26th, 2013 at 11:22 AM ^

I don't have insider but from the preview portion of the ESPN scouting report... 



"The left-handed Zimmerman is extremely skilled and his IQ for the game is impressive. He can nail threes, jump hooks, and his passing is high-level. At the elbow his vision is impeccable as is his patience of waiting for the play to develop."



So it seems as if he has the range, fairly developed offensive arsenal, etc. 

Dubs

April 25th, 2013 at 10:54 PM ^

It might have to do with how Beilein doesn't usually offer kids early in high school (although, perhaps he is still in contact with the kids, just doesn't offer), so it's likely that many other programs have scouted/visited/contacted/offered him to this point. So we may have some room to make up in terms of relationships, etc.

That being said, this program can sell itself exceptionally well, based on style of play, facilities, and personnel.  I'm sure he was watching the tournament, too...and that definitely didn't hurt our chances.

goblue16

April 25th, 2013 at 9:52 PM ^

FACILITIES!!! No doubt Beilein can recruit he's proven he can evaluate talent that fits his system. At the same time there's no doubt the PDC and Crisler have payed in dividends and have covered the cost of construction and then some in only a couple yrs. the sky is the limit with this program!!

teldar

April 26th, 2013 at 8:24 AM ^

I have serious doubt that the basketball program has paid for all the construction with one run to the championship.
I agree the championship game was great and all, but the ncaa keeps all the tourney money and distributes it as they see fit. I doubt the bb program has made $200M in two years.

goblue16

April 25th, 2013 at 9:58 PM ^

It doesn't take much to win in bball and this scares Sparty!! All my spartan buds always had bball to look forward to. Not the case anymore

TheGhostofYost

April 25th, 2013 at 9:59 PM ^

Is the 2014 class shaping up to be a good one?  I don't really follow basketball recruiting.

Young John Beilein

April 25th, 2013 at 10:22 PM ^

Not really, but maybe.  We have Ricky Doyle in hand, a 6'9" guy with nice back-to-basket game but probably a high three star type.  I think he was hurt for much of this year, so he could show great improvement and move up into the top 100 range.  After that we have been in on Devin Booker for a long while.  He's a high 4-star type SG who seems to be pretty interested in some of his newer offers such as Duke, UNC, Kentucky.  We may have a good chance with him, but he seems to have opened his recruitment up.  His dad Melvin played at Mizzou, and they're in his top group too.  Next up is Trevon Bluiett:  6'5"ish, plays fairly slow and low to the ground but can make shots from anywhere.  Top 50ish, silky touch.  I think he is purported to be headed to Bloomington, but we would be in his top 3 or so.  After that it falls off.  There's a kid from Warren DeLasalle who might be good, but is pretty skinny right now.  He's probably ours if we offer.  Ummm there are some more candidates for offers that I can't think of right now.  There are rumblings about picking up interest from Kevin Looney, a 6'8" very athletic forward from Milwaukee, he's a top 10 guy but Michigan hasn't been tightly involved with him.  In summary, if we get everyone, it will be good.  If we get no one, it will be ok.