BBall Recruiting - Highlights of 19 Target Jaden McDaniels

Submitted by Matt EM on

Generally speaking, highlights of of a basketball recruiting target aren't worthy of a post, especially a kid without an official offer. But in this case, considering the surrounding information and context, it is.

First, I can confirm through Jaden/his family and multiple other well-informed sources, that Juwan Howard is indeed the cousin of Jaden McDaniels. Second, the staff is increasing the interest level with Jaden.............and it was already to the point where there was contact every day prior to this past weekend.

There is still one more weekend where I have to evaluate (Memorial Day weekend), but as it stands today, McDaniels would be my #1 prospect in the country if I were to release rankings at this very moment.

His skill level at that size is simply unreal. The kid has the look of a potential lottery pick in a few years. I can only imagine what Coach Beilein and company would do with him in our lineup. The fit would be perfect. To put this in numerical context, Jaden averaged 22 points, 11.3 rebounds and nearly 2 blocks per game on 62% from the field and 44% from distance this weekend.

 

Highlights that I put together from this weekend in Atlanta for EYBL Session 3 below.

 

http://endlessmotor.net/2018/05/13/jaden-mcdaniels-19-seattle-rotary-ey…

Matt EM

May 14th, 2018 at 7:22 AM ^

its really just that simple. I preface this by saying I like Jalen Wilson as a prospect, he looks like a 2nd/3rd option on a really good college team..............but being candid, Jaden McDaniels is on another stratoshpere in terms of size/skill/athleticism and overall talent.

If Jaden wants to come, you make it happen.

Matt EM

May 14th, 2018 at 7:47 AM ^

and I've missed on a few just like every other evaluator. But I'm not really big on mainstream rankings because they rarely view players live in the same type of volume that I do and they're slow to respond in terms of rankings because of that reason. That said, I'm fairly confident in my ability to evaluate and with this one in particular.............I'd almost be willing to wager that McDaniels will be ranked considerably higher when all is said and done. There is a pretty large talent gap present.

BoCanHam15

May 14th, 2018 at 9:14 AM ^

It takes a real man to admit that(sometimes is wrong) and that’s why I sincerely respect you and your comments. When you get a whole blog full of arm chair professional prognosticators it becomes very clouded after those peculiar responses continually show up in EVERY comment section. You are a positive force in Michigan shared information. Thanks a lot, and GO BLUE!

Matt EM

May 14th, 2018 at 9:25 AM ^

Its an inexact science that is extremely difficult to project. At the end of the day I'm a guy that loves basketball, happens to attend more live events than 99% of the population and that is what gives me a certain advantage in that projection. But to sit here and pretend as if I'm some superior basketball guru would be disingenous..............the reality is we're all making educated guesses as to how 16-18 year old kids will perform in college and beyond. To say otherwise is ridiculous.

IndyBlue90

May 14th, 2018 at 8:54 AM ^

I think Wilson is getting a bump because his floor is so high. Frankly though, I think his athleticism is a little underwhelming. I've only watched just this one video of McDaniels, but he looks like a top 10 prospect. I'm not saying that he will be this good, but a lot of his best attributes are Kevin Durant-esque. 

Matt EM

May 14th, 2018 at 9:00 AM ^

because its simply not fair to Jaden to set the bar that high, but I'd be lying to say I haven't thought that at times internally. Objectively though, Jaden isn't a legit 6'11 like KD. I think the more reasonable comparison is Brandon Ingram..............there are a ton of similarites there for sure.

IndyBlue90

May 14th, 2018 at 9:23 AM ^

I absolutely agree. Thing that is so impressive is the ball handling and coordination combined with the length and height. There just aren't that many players to use as a comparison with that kind of length, athleticism, skill, and shooting, which is why McDaniels is such an enticing prospect. Maybe another more modest comparison is Wenyen Gabriel at Kentucky. He's another player that is 6'8" with Gumby arms, but a great deal of coordination and skill. He showed in the SEC tournament that he can catch fire from 3 as well. 

 

TheDirtyD

May 14th, 2018 at 9:32 AM ^

would make him into a lottery pick the game the way its changing you have to have a true stretch 4. He has the hieght and length to play the 4 and the offensive skill set too as well. A little time in a college weight room and time he should blossom at Michigan. 

Bluey

May 14th, 2018 at 6:22 PM ^

FWIW Brian Snow posted this on 247 re McDaniels:

"I know nothing about his recruitment. Josh Gershon would have an idea. What I do know is that dude is about to have a very, very lofty number next to his name. And I do mean VERY LOFTY. He is an absolute stud."

Matt EM

May 14th, 2018 at 8:31 AM ^

has an idea of potential attrition and the number of spots potentially available 2019. Jaden McDaniels has the look of a young Brandon Ingram..............he would elevate the team's ceiling and overall talent level to heights we haven't seen since the Fab 5 considering who we already have in the mix for 2018.

Mr Miggle

May 14th, 2018 at 8:43 AM ^

Is Beilein willing to oversign by two players? He only recently became willing to oversign by one. If he considers Matthews gone for sure by 2019, then there are two spots available and he could go to three. But, there's risk in assuming Matthews will be gone, assuming he returns for next season. Everyone assumed Levert would leave early too, but injury changed his plans.

As far as roster composition goes, McDaniel may not be an ideal positional fit, but he, Carton and Wilson are versatile enough and good enough that you want all three.

Matt EM

May 14th, 2018 at 8:49 AM ^

and that is a great question for sure. I think McDaniels can play the 2, 3, 4 and even 5 for Michigan at times based on his combination of size, length, skill and athleticism. I think in terms of roster composition, Jaden gives you so much roster flexibiity that its almost impossible to turn him away if he wants to get on board.

With regard to Matthews, and this is just my opinion (which is supported by history to a certain extent), its rare that a player flirts with the NBA draft but ultimately returns, and then returns again the subsequent year.

The Donger

May 14th, 2018 at 10:18 AM ^

a Michigan fan, what a terrific problem to have in the basketball program:  Trying to make room for great players who want to come here.  

Don't remember having such difficult decisions during the Brian Ellerbe/Tommy Amaker days...

MH20

May 14th, 2018 at 9:22 AM ^

If Charles comes back it would probably take a very poor season from him and the team to create a scenario where he doesn't leave for the NBA, and even then I think with his age he would almost assuredly leave even if he isn't getting a first round grade. You mention Caris and while that could be a cautionary tale, he was also young for his grade (he turned 18 in late August of 2012) while Charles will turn 22 in mid-November in what would be his fourth year of college.

Mr Miggle

May 14th, 2018 at 11:15 AM ^

He would also have the option of not offering Matthews a fifth year, so his spot is available if needed. Maybe that's enough to tip the scales for him.

So far, Beliein has oversigned by one twice. The first time he reportedly had a player willing to go to prep school if necessary. Last time it was with the expectation Wagner would leave. Going over by two would be counting on attrition without knowing where it would come from. Seeing as how he's ended up with leftover scholarships several seasons in a row, that's pretty low risk.

Champeen

May 14th, 2018 at 10:36 AM ^

I absolutely agree with you.  I gave my thoughts on Wilson in another thread.  A solid prospect - somewhere in the 50 to 100 range.  But definitely not a 5 star guy.

This is the first time i have seen Jaden McDaniels and you are spot on - he is a stud.

This is EXACTLY why star-gazing is 'dumb' and fruitless.  Wilson is ranked a decent bit higher, but a little research and you easily see that the rankings are way off when comparing these 2.  I ALWAYS do my own research and trust my own judgement vs these rankings.

Nice research Matt - agree with everything you stated.

Matt EM

May 14th, 2018 at 8:37 AM ^

Rivals, who was present with me at Jaden's Friday night game via Corey Evans, has now moved McDaniels up to to #32 in the country this morning, 7 spots ahead of Jalen Wilson. Rivals was only present at one of Jaden's games this weekend. The fact that he moved up in that fashion after only one live viewing from Rivals is indicative of the impression McDaniels leaves on evaluators.

 

https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2019/jaden-mcdaniels-208389

cobra14

May 14th, 2018 at 8:44 AM ^

First thing that pops off the screen is body control. Right away he goes to a lefty floater in the lane. His pull up jumper is a thing of beauty once again using fantasic body control in order to gather himself. Tremondous recovery on defense because of his length. 

 

Matt I agree this kid is/can be something special. I hope Michigan is all over him. 

mwolverine1

May 14th, 2018 at 9:11 AM ^

McDaniels looks really good, but "McDaniels would be my #1 propsect in the country" doesn't jive with "The kid has the look of a potential lottery pick in a few years." #1 prospect in the country in my mind is a sure-fire one and done top 10 pick.

Matt EM

May 14th, 2018 at 9:16 AM ^

is when he would be eligible for the draft, so yes, that's exactly what I'm saying in this case. I spoke with my friend Mike Schmitz (ESPN/Draft Express) as we both watched Jaden together in Indianapolis for EYBL Session II to get the NBA perspective (as opposed to the college scout perspective). His exact words to me - 'he's a no-brainer top 10 pick in 2020'.

maquih

May 14th, 2018 at 9:26 AM ^

He's way too skinny to be a five star. He has to redshirt a year before he can play in college. Does seem skillful but against pretty poor competition. He doesn't look as good as Wagner did in Germany as comparison.

And you're nuts if you don't have Wilson ahead. Wilson is so much stronger, finishing at the rim through contact, big enough to play defense. Idk, just everything about his game is better than McDaniels.

maquih

May 14th, 2018 at 12:11 PM ^

lol what about my comment makes you think im not a michigan fan?? is it the part where i like the guy we're a virtual lock to get better than the guy op is talking up?

Matt EM

May 14th, 2018 at 9:30 AM ^

but I have to for this particular item. McDaniels is playing against the best HS competition in the world in EYBL. Wilson plays against good, but not elite, competition on the Adidas circuit. Won't debate the merits of which prospect you like better, because its subjective and you're entitled to your opinion. That said, I'm fairly confident McDaniels is the much better prospect both short term and long term, weight concerns aside.

maquih

May 14th, 2018 at 12:09 PM ^

Yes EYBL is great, but in the video those kids are playing terrible defense and look slow.  Maybe that game was against the wost EYBL team or something -- I've seen Wilson playing against physical defenders and he can finish through a lot of contact.  I haven't seen that from McDaniels at least in this highlight video.

Champeen

May 14th, 2018 at 2:08 PM ^

McDaniels is going over his opponents.  Wilson is going through them.

If Wilson commits to Michigan, your going to be yelling at Wilson a lot over the TV when he gets blocked once a game going to the hoop throwing up a soft layup instead of going up hard for the dunk.  Hell of a player though, but they are 2 different styles of play for sure.