grant mullins
BREAKING: Grant Mullins has committed to Cal as his transfer destination per his Instagram https://t.co/203han7GQ1
— Mike McAllister (@McAllisterScout) April 27, 2016
Shortly after wrapping up a visit to Michigan, Columbia grad transfer Grant Mullins announced his commitment to Cal for his senior season. The combo guard was also considering Syracuse.
This leaves Michigan with an open scholarship for next season, and unless another grad transfer candidate emerges out of the blue, it's likely John Beilein will use it on a late-rising 2016 prospect—or, like he did last year, leave the scholarship open, which seems like the least-desirable route.
Sam Webb reported last week that Michigan was showing interest in four-star WI F Kostas Antetokuonmpo, but there hasn't been any word on him since then. The coaches checked in on IMG Academy three-star F Aleem Ford last week; he committed to Wisconsin shortly thereafter. Unless the coaches can get Antetokuonmpo to campus, they might be scrambling for other options.
Those other options almost certainly won't include Spike Albrecht, who's already visited Purdue and plans to see Wichita State and Syracuse. Even if Michigan decides they're willing to sacrifice some early development for Xavier Simpson to bring Albrecht back, the Wolverines won't represent Spike's best opportunity to play the most minutes.
Grad transfer Grant Mullins visits this week. [Photo: Columbia Spectator]
After the departure of Aubrey Dawkins, Michigan has an open spot to fill, and this week has brought some clarity about how John Beilein plans to do so. First, here's a quick look at the scholarship situation:
| Schol. | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M. Donnal | MAAR | M. Wagner | A. Davis |
| 2 | Z. Irvin | K. Chatman | D.J. Wilson | X. Simpson |
| 3 | D. Walton | D. Robinson | A. Davis | J. Teske |
| 4 | MAAR | M. Wagner | X. Simpson | I. Watson |
| 5 | K. Chatman | D.J. Wilson | J. Teske | J. Poole |
| 6 | D. Robinson | A. Davis | I. Watson | |
| 7 | M. Wagner | X. Simpson | J. Poole | |
| 8 | D.J. Wilson | J. Teske | ||
| 9 | A. Davis | I. Watson | ||
| 10 | X. Simpson | J. Poole | ||
| 11 | J. Teske | |||
| 12 | I. Watson | |||
| 13 |
There's the one spot to fill for 2016-17; Michigan could take a grad transfer and still have three open scholarships (plus 2017 commit Jordan Poole) to work with for the 2017 class, or they could take a late-rising 2016 recruit to round out what would be a five-person class. Both options are still on the table.
The Grad Transfer Route
As first reported by Sam Webb and confirmed by Brendan Quinn, Columbia grad transfer Grant Mullins will visit campus on Wednesday. Mullins is a 6'4" combo guard who knocked down 44% of his three-pointers last season, and he's Not Just A Shooter™; he made 49% of his twos, got to the line at the fourth-highest rate in the Ivy League, and even posted respectable defensive rebound and steal rates. Dylan has further statistical nuggets that are quite intriguing from Michigan's standpoint:
Mullins graded out in the 94th percentile nationally in pick-and-roll efficiency (including passes) according to Synergy Sports. He also graded out in the top ten percent of college basketball players in catch-and-shoot ability and shooting off the dribble.
Without Caris LeVert, M struggled to replicate their past success with the pick-and-roll. Ideally the team would have a player capable of reliably finishing at the rim who's also a willing distributor; last year, it was one (MAAR) or the other (Irvin/Walton). In addition to providing excellent outside shooting, Mullins could bring that dimension back to the offense.
Mullins took visits to Cal and Syracuse, and those two schools appear to be M's chief competition.
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]
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