Carlton Brundidge Signs MBB LOI

Submitted by MGoShoe on

According to the Freep (via UMHoops.com), Carlton Brundidge, Michigan's first commitment of the 2011 class ("Hello" post here) has now signed and faxed his letter of intent to the Michigan basketball offices.  Brundidge joins Trey Burke who signed his LOI last week. 

Brundidge faxed his letter of intent to the Michigan basketball offices this morning, making his commitment official. Here’s Brundidge’s statement on his signing and explanation of the delay (per Detroit Free Press):

“It means a lot,” Brundidge told the Free Press. “My sister went to the school, and I like going to a program that’s improving. I want to build up Michigan. I want to be the person who helps build it up.”

He said when his father got home during the weekend, they discussed the letter, made certain it was the right decision and moved forward. “He said, ‘Carlton, are you ready to do this?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I was waiting for you,’” Brundidge recalled.

“Carlton is a physically strong, attacking combo guard that will add toughness and offensive punch to our lineup,” said [Michigan Coach John] Beilein. “He is a leader and a winner that loves to compete. We love the fact that we have added another outstanding in-state player to our program, and value the loyalty Carlton has demonstrated throughout his recruiting process. We are thrilled with his decision to become a Michigan Wolverine.”

Welcome, Carlton and thanks for making this official so this guy doesn't have to "feel like a neurotic girlfriend" anymore.  Also, excellent Facebook stalking to this guy.  Well done to all concerned.

Much speculation that since Michigan lost the Amir Williams sweepstakes, they'll bank one scholarship for use in the 2012 class.  UMHoops.com's 2012 recruiting hotboard resides here and its very useful Scholarship Breakdown page is here.

[Edited to make it clear that the Amir Williams decision is firm. H/T Raoul.]

cjm

November 16th, 2010 at 4:34 PM ^

MGOShoe, I'm on here frequently but mainly looking through football related posts/threads.  Could you catch me up on the general status of the bball team? What's their predicted record? Can they make the tournament again?  Maybe your thoughts on new guys to be looking to contribute this year? etc...

MGoShoe

November 16th, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^

...a fan.  Recommend you check out a variety of UMHoops.com stories found here.  Also, Tim's preview here.

The general consensus is that the team will be fortunate to make the NIT this year.  There are no seniors on the team and only two juniors, Zack Novak and Stu Douglass.  Many expect a significant leap in sophomore Darius Morris's game.  Newcomers to watch are true freshmen Tim Hardaway, Jr. and Evan Smotrycz and redshirt freshmen Jordan Morgan and Blake McLimans.

cjm

November 16th, 2010 at 4:56 PM ^

Thank you sir for your info and the links.  Somehow I had you pegged as a big bball guy (kinda like Formerly Anonymous is our baseball guy.)  Sorry for the mistaken identity.

EDIT: holy smokes how in the world did I miss the front page preview by Tim.  I know I took a couple days off but that's just sad.

MGoShoe

November 16th, 2010 at 5:03 PM ^

...official role. I'm just a proud member of the MGoBlogerati.  In the past I've done a series of diaries on non-revenue sports gleaned from the pages of MGoBlue.com.  It's probably time for another of those.

Don

November 16th, 2010 at 4:35 PM ^

Me likey.

This program is a sleeping giant. Who wants to help Carlton play a role in waking it up, in creating something special, as opposed to joining something that's already settled in place?

Blue boy johnson

November 16th, 2010 at 4:37 PM ^

Good news. I am going to make a point of checking out a Southfield HS Bball game this winter. I think the kid is going to be a helluva college guard. Brundidge is already too strong for most college guards , plus he has a nice handle and a sweet touch, gonna be a good one.

Victors10

November 16th, 2010 at 4:39 PM ^

I've been waiting all day to hear this. This is freaking awesome. MBB will be a force in 2 years and they'll definitely be fun to watch develop before then.

tmurda1234

November 16th, 2010 at 4:50 PM ^

“It means a lot,” Brundidge told the Free Press. “My sister went to the school, and I like going to a program that’s improving. I want to build up Michigan. I want to be the person who helps build it up.”

What a Michigan Man.  I like all these young, all-in players.  No Manny "There is a I in Team" Harris

tmurda1234

November 16th, 2010 at 8:51 PM ^

I know he's a talented player.  But he is also a huge part of the let down season last year.  He had a poor attitude.  Beilein benched him multiple times--and rightfully so.  If he was more a team player he would have taken us further

BraveWolverine730

November 16th, 2010 at 9:49 PM ^

Manny had some issues, but then again so did Chris Perry and Braylon, but you aren't trashing them as players more about I than the team.  The bottom line is that Manny committed to Amaker and unlike Legion kept his commitment to Michigan despite the coaching change and was one of the main catalysts behind our first tourney appearance in a decade.  His last game as a Wolverine when it would have been easy to quit several times(before the game, when UM fell behind double digits) he didn't and willed that team to what should have been a huge upset.  

tmurda1234

November 16th, 2010 at 11:22 PM ^

My point is that these young players are all-in, and that's a great thing.  Manny was not all-in, and at times it really showed.  You can point to whatever example of "Manny bein' Manny" you want, but there can be no argument that he did not act very selfishly at times when the team needed him.  How did you enjoy the Purdue game last year?

Raoul

November 16th, 2010 at 5:02 PM ^

Michigan definitely already lost the "Amir Williams sweepstakes." This was confirmed in a Detroit News article from earlier today:

Amir Williams, a 6-foot-10 senior center from Detroit Country Day has narrowed his choices for college down to two, and Michigan isn't among them.

...

Williams informed the coaching staffs at Michigan and Purdue on Sunday that he would not be signing with them. He was heavily recruited by U-M coach John Beilein.

WolvinLA2

November 16th, 2010 at 11:45 PM ^

Wow, 6'0" 200 lbs?  Kid is stout.  For comparison, Rivals lists Kellen Jones, who is coming here to play middle linebacker, at 6'1" 209.  On M's roster, Marvin Robinson is listed at 203 lbs, despite having 2 inches on Brundidge.  That's a big basketball player.

Raoul

November 17th, 2010 at 8:46 AM ^

Rothstein got a good quote from Brundidge's father in his article on Carlton's signing:

“It’s the end of one chapter, if you will, and the beginning of another,” Brundidge’s dad, Clennie, said Tuesday. “I hope it’s the right decision for him, the right fit. Hopefully he can be part of, if not the catalyst, to help Michigan get back to where they were when I moved here back in 1988, a team that most of Detroit and outlying communities, that’s all they talked about.

“It’s a tall order, but I told him he has to do his part.”

Rothstein also notes that both Carlton's mother and sister are currently attending U-M--his mother is working on a master's and his sister a Ph.D. Forget about "Michigan Man"--this is a true "Michigan Family"!

The article is also worth checking out for an update on Brent Petway's Globetrotters career. Note this:

The Globetrotters will be in Michigan on Jan. 2 at the Palace of Auburn Hills. It is not known if Petway will be part of the team playing in that game.