Fresh Highlights of 17 BBall Commit Isaiah Livers

Submitted by Matt EM on

As promised, fresh highlights of 17 Bball commit Isaiah Livers in the state playoffs. His HS career came to a close last night so this is the last game film you will get until he suits up for the good guys next year!

 

I plan on doing a very detailed scouting report/film (as opposed to highlights) within the next week, but if you have any questions on his game, shoot away and I'll try to get to those inquiries.

 

 

http://endlessmotor.net/2017/03/22/isaiah-livers-17kalamazoo-central-20…

Big_H

March 22nd, 2017 at 9:02 AM ^

Can anyone find the disrespkt in this Mlive story of last night's game?

"Each team features multiple Division-I talents, headlined by Christian's MSU-bound Xavier Simpson and K-Central's Isaiah Livers, the most recent recipient of the state's Mr. Basketball award."

ldevon1

March 22nd, 2017 at 9:16 AM ^

but he doesn't look 6'8" in that video. Not saying he isn't, but that must be a tall team they are playing against. Having said that, he moves really well. I can see the Caris Levert comparisons.

Matt EM

March 22nd, 2017 at 9:20 AM ^

Livers is closer to 6'6 than 6'8 without doubt. Also, Caris Levert is not a very good comparison in my opinion. While Isaiah is a great shooter, he's nowhere near the ballhandler/creator in the half court. Nice passer, but he's not going to be one that creates off the dribble, at least early in his career.

Matt EM

March 22nd, 2017 at 10:05 AM ^

rather than Zak if forced to choose a player on the current roster. While Zak doesn't generally break down a defender off the bounce and get to the rim with consistency, he does so with much more volume than Livers in his current stage of development.

In the half court, Livers is basically a catch and shoot prospect with nice vision from the wing. He rarely takes more than 2 dribbles in the half court and doesn't do a lot of creating for others via the dribble. I think he's a bit more fluid than DJ with his lateral movement, but is smaller with less length.

Bodogblog

March 22nd, 2017 at 9:47 AM ^

How did the game go?  Looks like Livers didn't score until the second half, they lost by 20.  

How does MSU's Xavier Simpson look?  Seems to have had a big game 

yes I get the joke 

Matt EM

March 22nd, 2017 at 9:57 AM ^

Livers was held scoreless in the first half. The game was close up until the fourth quarter. Kzoo cut the GR lead to 31-30 late in the third quarter. The 4th quarter was ALL GR Christian, they absolutely dominated and went on a 20-1 run.

 

Xavier Tillman was absolutely dominant all game long. He scored the first 8 points of the game and finished with a triple double. Kzoo Central opted to put 6'4 Rog Stein on Tillman in the post.......that went about as well as you'd expect it to. Livers checked him once in the post from what I can recall, and Tillman bullied him to the rim with ease for the And 1. Tillman isn't a great athlete, but has above average footwork for a kid that size and can finish with either hand. The big surprise for me was his passing, he looked great in that regard from the high post.

Matt EM

March 22nd, 2017 at 11:37 AM ^

Seeing Ward at the game yesterday standing next to Bridges, I'd estimate Ward to be a legit 6'10, perhaps 6'11. He was clearly 3 inches or so taller than Bridges. Tillman is likely a legit 6'7, maybe 6'8.

Also, less fluid and athletic in relation to Ward.

NJMichigan

March 22nd, 2017 at 10:46 AM ^

Being at the game, Livers looked quite average. As previously said, he didn't score until the second half, and, when it meant nothing. Livers didn't get do guard Tillman much at all, proving to be a slight mistake. He was very quick through the game, espicially when Kzoo began to press (what they should've done longer as it was stopping us well.) He got a number of good pull-up jumpers at about the free throw line and made a high percentage and also, if I remember, he shot 2-2 from deep. He was guarded well by Seth Millner of GRC who in my opinion, will go D2 to Grand Valley or possibly a small D1 like Oakland, and also guarded will by James Beck who is commited to Oakland. He did fairly well defensively, but looked nothing like he did in the first matchup between GRC and Kzoo in the last game of the refular season which John Beilein showed up to. Overall, he stayed very into the game and didn't drop his head or lose his cool which I loved to see. However, on defense, Kzoo often slaps the court with both hands, something I could do without when he come to Michigan. I really like how he plays and see lots of potential in him.

NJMichigan

March 22nd, 2017 at 5:36 PM ^

@Bodogblog-this wasn't the first time GRC played Kzoo Central. Left this out, but in the first matchup, Livers looked quite unstoppable for most of the game. And having the 10 or so points he did last night was, in my opinion, very good since almost the whole GRC game plan seemed to be focused on stopping him. And his style of play I feel will mold well with Michigan's.

milk-n-steak

March 22nd, 2017 at 11:35 AM ^

I was also at the game yesterday and am a GRC fan so was hoping Livers looked good but not too good.  Livers indeed looked like a smooth shooter and very athletic player who is playing a bit out of position on his HS team simply because he is the tallest guy on the team.  He also had a hard time scoring early because the defensive plan by GRC was quite clearly designed to make someone else do the scoring.  The two men who spent most of the night guarding Livers did a good very good job staying in front to contest any shots but they had serious help in case of a drive as there were always one or two others rotate toward his side and with eyes on him when he had the ball to help out.  Livers did the smart thing and passed the ball (pretty nicely) to his open teammates who mostly proceeded to miss open shots.  That's good basketball by Livers and just missed shots.  I think that when he can play a more natural-seeming position he'll be just fine at UM - he clearly has skills.  In the second half, he did some more 1-on-1 things showing pretty good ball handling and quickness and ability to get a contested jumper off.  It's almost like he just decided (or was told at halftime) to try to be "the man" a little more instead of creating chances for teammates.  I liked his unselfishness and court vision - things that will be more productive when the guys he is passing to are named Wagner, Wilson, Robinson, and others.  He obviously can get stronger and work on his pad level but the skills are there and Coach B will be much more able to put him in comfortable positions on the court.

Kstuds

March 22nd, 2017 at 12:07 PM ^

Thanks for the intel Mattd. Seems like a lot of discussion on his offensive abilities and shortcomings, just curious for the 1000 foot view of his defense and rebounding levels at this point?

Matt EM

March 22nd, 2017 at 12:20 PM ^

is average/above average in terms of lateral movement at that size. Can stay with guards/wings for a dribble or 2 off the bounce. Rebounding will be an area of concern in my opinion. His motor leaves a bit to be desired in that regard, both in terms of boxing out and ball pursuit. That will be his biggest issue as a 4.

A2MIKE

March 22nd, 2017 at 12:07 PM ^

Curious on your projection for Livers next year.

 

Also, noticed you have been notably absent since Michigan's resurgence.  You are also a vocal critic of Beilein.  Curious on your thoughts on how the season turned around.

Matt EM

March 22nd, 2017 at 12:20 PM ^

I don't see Livers getting very much time next year since DJ will presumably get 30+ minutes at the 4. He may be able to scratch out 5-8 mins per game, especially in the early going though. Don't think he'll see much time at the 3 spot, just doesn't have the handle at this point to man that spot within the context of a Michigan offense.

Wouldn't say I've been noticeably absent around here at all, just hasn't been any recruiting information/updates with the focal point being the B10 tourney and Big Dance.

Love the turnaround, much better initial defense, but rebounding is still a huge issue. Fortunately for us, the offense has been able to compensate for that. Derrick Walton's play during the second half of the year has taken the team to another level. Absolutely love seeing JB be flexible and go to a post-oriented offense with Wagner when the matchup/game calls for it.

poppinfresh

March 22nd, 2017 at 12:09 PM ^

so tillman > livers right now? 

as for college projection just depends on who develops better?

 

interesting that you saw bridges with ward at the game, seems like that would indicate bridges coming back

Matt EM

March 22nd, 2017 at 12:13 PM ^

don't think we can take that as a sign Bridges is staying.

 

Don't necessarily think Tillman>Livers right now. Tillman is 6'7 and likely 280+.........not many kids in HS can deal with that when coupled with skill.

In terms of college projection, definitely think Livers has the higher upside, but Tillman will be more college ready as a freshman. He's just much more physical and has a higher motor at this point.

Matt EM

March 22nd, 2017 at 12:34 PM ^

I haven't spoken to Mo or anyone in his camp. The national pundits expect he'll go with Kentucky (surprise). Have to think that our recent post play with Mo at least intrigues Mo, although he's not your typical back to the basket player, but perhaps he envisions developing into one at some point, so it can't hurt.

Kstuds

March 22nd, 2017 at 12:49 PM ^

Thanks again for analysis Mattd. A follow up question on it ...

Do you see Livers developing the lateral quickness to guard the 3 spot well? I think we're all surprised to see the success Zak is having in that regard these days as he's not renowned for superior athleticism or lateral quickness. So, it looks like something that can be developed or taught....even though it's taken Zak 3.5 years to get there.

Or do anticipate Livers guarding the 4 spot for his career (for the most part) and thus him needing to developed some dog/motor to handle bigger guys in the post and on the glass?

Just curious which direction you think he'd develop at best or fastest.

Thanks!!!

Matt EM

March 22nd, 2017 at 1:11 PM ^

the natural athletic tools to develop into a guy quick enough to defend a 3 and working on his motor and S/C to get him in par to defend the 4.

I anticipate he'll be used primarily as a 4 on offense, but I think his position on D is a bit more fluid depending on his development moving forward.

He definitely shows some abiity as a perimeter defender. My detailed scouting report will definitely dive deeper into this topic.