ESPN+ Future NBA Draft Article: Caleb Houstan
Given some folks consternation regarding Houstan’s shooting (which I am not worried about regarding his upcoming time at Michigan), figured I would include the Houstan specific thoughts. Also, as an aside, you are in a good place when you share the title line with Chet Holmgren in terms of overall perception (over other notable players like Jaden Ivey for example).
“Houstan had an outstanding tournament, leading Canada to a bronze medal and showcasing an all-around game that should make him one of the best two-way players in college basketball as a freshman.
Known as a spot-up shooter earlier in his career, Houstan struggled badly with his jumper (11-of-58 from 3, 19%) in Latvia, but showed impressive versatility as a ball handler, passer and finisher, attacking the rim relentlessly, playing through contact, extending gracefully for layups with both hands around the basket and coming up huge for Canada late in games on several occasions.
Houstan was also one of the most impactful defenders at the tournament, demonstrating elite awareness off the ball as well as the ability to get up and guard smaller players with his quick feet and tough-minded approach.
Houstan's shooting percentages will likely look better in a more compact role at Michigan, and NBA teams will surely be attracted to the versatility he brings on the wing as well as his cerebral approach. He made a case to be considered a potential top-five pick next year.”
https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/31811534/chet-holmgren-caleb-houstan-other-college-stars-talking-next-year-nba-draft
Cheers!
I look forward to Michigan basketball.
They say the children are our future
I hope Juwan will teach them well and then let them lead the way.
Hopefully they will possess a beauty of an inside game.
It is crazy that we lost Mike Smith, Chaundee Brown, Mike Smith, Austin Davis, and Isaiah Livers and I have no worries about how this team will perform. Thanks Coach Howard and Beilein!
I was only going to be worried if we lost Mike Smith a third time :)
We also lost Mike Smith. And yes, it is crazy to think about. Especially since you missed probably the most important loss - Franz.
Franz Smith?
No, Mike Wagner.
Is this an East Side conspiracy, with East Quad setting up and East Coast finishing the joke?
I work with Mike Wagner. Not good at basketball, so no big loss.
This next year is gonna be fun.
I have a sneaky feeling that Diabate is going to come back to Michigan for a second year too, not because of his lack of ability, but because of lack of minutes to really showcase himself. I could see him playing well, going to the combine, and dropping out just because scouts won't have seen enough to push him high into the first round, and coming back another year will boost his stock even more.
But no matter what, this year is gonna be fun.
This was a great quote from mlive article:
“Moussa Diabaté came to Michigan with a reputation as an elite defender, and Martelli understands why. At a July 4th gathering at head coach Juwan Howard’s house, Diabaté asked Martelli if they could talk. “It was about fronting the post,” Martelli said. “I was kind of blow away. There was not a single thought that I had that day that concerned guarding the low post. But Moussa wanted to have a conversation so we did. Diabaté has the physical tools to go along with his interest, 6-foot-11, long, and “very quick off the floor.”
https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2021/07/michigan-basketball-practice-insights-intel-on-freshmen-surprises.html
This proves Martelli is the real coach. MSU fans were right!
Jokes aside, Diabate might be the best athlete we've had at Michigan bball since Glenn Robinson. I'm excited to see him provide some nice rim protection while Hunter crushes it on the offensive side.
Houstan plays with an unusual maturity for his age. My two cents is that he will probably have the best season of the freshman this coming year. Maybe that's obvious.
Somewhat obvious, but deep down maybe not so much. Although i don't think he will start unless injury to DICKERSON or Johns, Diabate could actually play as much or maybe more backing up 2 spots. It will be interesting.
Eric Dickerson.
Corey Dickerson
I just hope it's not a repeat of Franz. Watching shot after shot clank of the rim while basketball elite tell me I don't understand what a good shooter is.
Just watch his montverde tape…shot nearly 40% there.
I love Houstan, but do have to say I think his NBA ceiling is capped at being an elite 3 and D guy
Tough crowd around here. Capping his pro ceiling before he plays a single collegiate game. Ouch.
You’re building a ceiling for a teenager on how good he can be in in 6-7 years? That’s 1/4 of his lifespan—you don’t think that by the time a top 10 HS recruit goes through another 1/3 of his current lifetime that he cannot be a guy like Devin Booker or J Murray, who he historically compares to coming out of HS?
Elite 3 and d players get major contracts in the nba lol..like Danny green 15m/year, Middleton 30m/year, etc. not sure if you meant it like that but elite 3 and d is highly coveted.
Also, remember houstan reclassified from 2022 class, so he is young and only 18 as of now!
so far, this class is looking very very special....I am hoping that we'll see one of Caleb/Moussa stick around for a couple of years - preferably both.
I think there's a chance of that happening as both kids are very low key about things - no social media, very small inner circle, both are foreigners that went tot he US purely to get better at basketball...
These are just the kids with top billing. In Beilein's era, we'd be all a buzz about Collins, Bufkin, Barnes and Tshetter... That would have been a very good class under Coach B.... So any number of those kids could very well be just as big for the program.
Barnes is often cited as a kid that is going to surprise and from early practice reports, it sounds like Tschetter is going to be a contributor too.
Halcyon days over at Crisler.
Thanks for posting. Hope's rising.
If Houstan is truly a top 5 pick next year, I would be surprised if we don’t end up in the Final Four. We would have two All American players in Dickinson and Houstan. Then mixing in experienced players with Brooks, Jones, and Johns. The deep talented bench will likely have a star or two as well. We check all of the boxes on a team that can win it all.
Caleb Houstan reminds me of Allan Houston... comparable in name, size, general athleticism, shooting stroke, etc