MBB (1990-Present): Recruits that left you wanting more

Submitted by Ghost of BCook… on

Seth's front pager (Link, here:  http://mgoblog.com/content/hokepoints-beilein-vs-all-time-recent-guys ) where he opined on recent Michigan basketball coaches included a component highlighting the future NBA players each coach recruited. 

That piece led me to thinking - there were a ton of great recruits that came in with hype and expectations that didn't end up having the impact many expected.  Some are more obvious than others - Jerod Ward being the #1 national recruit in 1994 for example.  But who are the guys you really thought would have brought about the current Basketball Rennaisance on an expedited time table? 

Talking strictly about recruits that were thought to have NBA potential - this is not your time to throw out Avery Queen/Dommanic Ingerson references. 

My choice: Albert White.  I saw this guy in High School while he was playing for Inkster and he was an unstopable scoring machine.  His senior season at Inkster High, White averaged 31 points, 15.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.7 steals and 3.0 blocks.  He was a McDonald's All-American when that used to mean "virtual lock for NBA stardom".  While he was "ok" as a freshman at UM (9.0 ppg/4.7 rpg), he wound up being jettisoned by Fisher and transferring to Missouri for a variety of reasons (relationship with Fisher, ties to Martin, etc).  At Missouri his stats were very good, but mostly empty - and he never even got a sniff in the NBA.   

Who you got?

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Albert White

mgoblue75

April 3rd, 2014 at 9:46 PM ^

....really hurt that 1993-94 team more than anything. Was always called for Offensive goaltending( one that burned them in elite 8 against arkansas), technicals, etc. Plus, took minutes away that should have gone to Olivier saint-jean. Losing Olivier was a shame.....fisher over-recruited at tne 3 in 1994....should've stayed away from mitchell, white.

Joined: 03/16/2011

MGoPoints: 39

mgoblue75

April 3rd, 2014 at 9:40 PM ^

I think he's one guy who would have flourished in belein's system. Would have have been a great "stretch 4" at 6'8". One of the reserves behind the FF who maybe should have kept his starting spot as he was a better shooter than Ray jackson.

Joined: 03/16/2011

MGoPoints: 39

PeteM

April 3rd, 2014 at 10:08 PM ^

I don't know if Legion technically qualifies since he never ended up here (and then transferred 12 times), but my recollection is that he was a 5 star and Amaker's biggest get.

As for a player that was okay in his role but who I hoped would be Nik Stauskas -- Matt Vogrich.  I know he wasn't 6'6'' like Nik but his shooting resume out of high school was impressive.

Joined: 09/15/2008

MGoPoints: 3446

UMfan21

April 3rd, 2014 at 10:43 PM ^

Legion's mother was epic. I believe she said a dream or fortune teller gave her a premonition of where Alex should go. There was so much switching between UofM, Illinois, and others I don't even remember the whole saga. I think he wanted to come here at some point but Anaker said he already burned those bridges. I think we played him while he was at Illinois and then maybe he transferred again?

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 51215

Tater

April 4th, 2014 at 10:36 AM ^

The largest failure ever to develop a player at Michigan was Bill Frieder's botched handling of Antoine Joubert.  Frieder never let him shoot from his natural range, trying to turn him into something he wasn't.  That's exactly what Frieder did, although not in the way he intended.

At the very least, "The Judge" would have been Jimmer Fredette under this staff.  Joubert was finally given the "green light" on senior day against Purdue and had a game that was reminiscent of his high school days.  If he had been given the green light as a freshman and developed the way JB develops players, people would still be talking about him , possibly as the greatest player in the history of the program.

 

 

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

lavell99

April 4th, 2014 at 1:03 PM ^

Was definitely not a McD's AA, but he was a solid 4* I was excited about. Seems like he had the measurables to excel in The Beilein's system, but transferred before giving it a chance. I also think he injured his shoulder.

Joined: 07/12/2013

MGoPoints: 1