Hoops Recruiting Desperately Wants To Add Another Frenchman
With Hunter Dickinson likely gone in 2022 after a lengthy flirtation with professional options and Moussa Diabate having one-and-done potential, Michigan is absolutely taking a true center in the 2022 class. The Wolverine board expanded quickly after the staff identified new prospects during the live evaluation period.
With Tarris Reed's decision looming (more on that below), the question is quickly turning to whether the staff pursues a wing, a hybrid big, or simply best available talent to round out the 2022 class.
I was in Orlando last week for the NBPA Top 100 Camp to get updated looks at several offers/targets. In the aftermath, I'm absolutely in the "let's go all-in for Yohan" camp.
Traore Time
5-star (for me) Yohan Traore was among the ten best prospects I viewed at the camp and that may be a conservative view. He had stretches of dominance where his skillset was eye-popping. Perhaps none better than the possession that commences at the :20 second mark of the clip above. Yohan switches on to a guard, beats him to the spot, comes up with a block and then hits a triple on the other end after jab-stepping his defender to create space. The rest of the film above features Traore scoring in every way imaginable: Olajuwon-esque dream shakes, face-up + blow-bys against bigs, midrange jumpers, euro-steps in transition and back-to-the-basket scoring. Caveats apply because it's a camp setting and all, but geez was he impressive.
To be candid, I was probably more enamored with Yohan's projection based on the plays that he didn't convert as reflected below.
These are half-court scenarios against a set defense where Traore is displaying a wing-like handle with change of speed dribbles and euro-steps that are getting clear separation versus 5-stars Adem Bona and Baye Fall. For reference, Bona and Fall are generally considered great athletes and defenders.
And then there is the most enticing aspect of his game, the ability to grab a defensive board and push in transition. The clip below is just absurd for a 6'9 - 6'10 HS senior. Yohan discards 5-star Kel'el Ware to come up with a defensive rebound, puts a nasty behind-the-back + spin move combo on Isaac Traudt and kicks-out to the corner once a help defender arrives. Kansas commit Gradey Dick didn't knock down the open triple, but man that is some serious skill on display that created a huge advantage in the form of an open look.
Defensively, there's a lot to get excited about as well. Traore is very much a switchable defender (see the :20 and 1:07 marks of the very first clip in this post) based on size/agility and because of that you can use multiple looks defending ballscreens. Look at the clip below where he hedges then recovers to contest the short-roll jumper from the elbow.
In isolation he displays active hands to compliment the aforementioned agility. Here, he harasses Noah Clowney (who may have been the only other big in attendance on Yohan's level) and forces a deflection, stays with him on the drive but commits an unnecessary foul to bail him out. But you can clearly see the upside there. He's not a Moussa Diabate level defender/athlete, but he's not far from it.
I really wish Coach Howard could have attended. There is no doubt in my mind that an offer would've been extended. I've spoken with Traore frequently over the last few weeks and playing the power forward position in college is his clear preference. With the impending Reed situation, this is all setting up for the staff to have a convincing argument that he can do just that. Yohan has legitimate interest in Michigan and is friendly with current freshman Moussa Diabate. Hopefully Coach Howard has seen enough on film to issue an offer. Traore is basically the ideal college player that can impact the game from multiple positions/spots on the court at both ends.
[Hit THE JUMP for Reed confidence and a 2023 note]
Looking Good For Reed
Nothing new on the Tarris Reed front. Michigan appears primed to add their center for the 2022 class on Thursday barring a last-minute change of heart. All four crystal balls favor the Wolverines and Juwan Howard + staff are on the verge of adding a top-50 level big in three straight cycles. Another instance of Coach Howard swooping in at the last-second to land a premier prospect. Life is good these days.
Happy Trails
As I've alluded to for months, 5-star Kyle Filipowski made if official for Duke last week. Michigan never had much of a chance here due to the connections. This is actually a best-case scenario for the staff. Rather than waste resources in terms of pursuit/visits, the staff can focus their efforts elsewhere (Yohan please) rather than wasting time.
Quick Note on 2023
I've been told the staff is working with the assumption that 2023 will be a small class, perhaps only 2 incoming signees for that cycle. This may provide some insight as to the staff's thinking with respect to early entries from the 2021 class.
You convinced me. Yay for Yohan!
Also, hooray for Reed!
Did you say Yay!?
Wow Traore has some incredible moves in the open court for a guy that is 6'9".
Him and Reed would be an intimidating frontcourt combo
Great work Matt! I would think the preference would be an athletic 4 that could play the 5 if needed. With his athleticism, I hope they go after him over the 3/4's that they are pursuing. If they don't get a quality wing in this class, they could always go to the Portal.
I keep telling myself that I am waiting till we at least offer before watching the Yohan highlights.
August 2nd, 2021 at 10:11 AM ^
I'm not one to criticize Howard much, but not attending the NBPA Top 100 is a genuinely weird choice given we have a combo wing slot open with not many leads
August 2nd, 2021 at 10:14 AM ^
Given the context (attending the draft for Franz + Livers) and the positive PR that undoubtedly comes along with it, I wouldn't necessarily say its weird.
August 2nd, 2021 at 10:19 AM ^
I could be wrong, but I don't believe he attended the draft either. I saw videos of him Facetiming Franz and Livers from his bedroom with his wife
August 2nd, 2021 at 11:28 AM ^
August 2nd, 2021 at 10:56 AM ^
I’m not understanding the non offer on this one either. He’s a no brainer to me and would easily work alongside Reed.
August 2nd, 2021 at 12:57 PM ^
I have no insider info, but I could see how Coach Howard and his staff could be waiting until Tarris Reed makes his verbal commitment, and then offers Yohan Traore within the week. That gives Reed a moment to shine and bask in some adulation (as most of us would enjoy), and gives Traore real assurance that he isn’t going to have to spend much of his time at center. He can play the 4 in college as desired.
Edit: AC1997 already stated this. Sorry about that, old friend!
August 2nd, 2021 at 10:17 AM ^
Thanks Matt! A couple of follow-up questions:
- Do you think the slow-play on the Traore offer has anything to do with waiting until Reed accepts? (Sends the message that Reed is our priority at the 5 and Traore is not taking that spot, he's a guy we want to play WITH Reed)
- Any idea why Juwan didn't make it to the event, especially considering his son was playing in it?
- Even if we aren't actively recruiting any/many of them anymore, any general tidbits on the other bigs at the event? (Clingan, Udeh, some of the guys you named, etc.)
- Can you offer some additional comparisons to Traore's game at this point and Diabate? You were very effusive with praise for Diabate last cycle and this sounds very similar for Traore....curious how they stack up or rank comparatively.
- Any update on EM player rankings for this class now that you've seen so many live?
Thanks as always for the great coverage!
August 2nd, 2021 at 11:32 AM ^
I used to play outdoor soccer with Jamie (I know, cool story bro). Funny guy.
Thanks for all the insight Matt, it's appreciated.
August 2nd, 2021 at 11:50 AM ^
Not Matt, so no insight, jmho, I would say no, as Traore would not be playing the same position as Reed anyways.
Filipowski was offer after Reed was as well, even though the guy was absolutely a Duke LOCK Michigan still offered him and he's a true center
August 2nd, 2021 at 10:22 AM ^
Oui, oui pour Yohan!
August 2nd, 2021 at 10:55 AM ^
Do you think Juwan would offer if a bunch of us wrote letters imploring him to offer Yohan?
August 2nd, 2021 at 12:27 PM ^
Let's just directly tweet Yohan. I'm sure it wouldn't be perceived as creepy.
I often joke with my wife and friends that part of Michigan fandom is obsessing over high school kids.
August 2nd, 2021 at 11:13 AM ^
How much will the similarity in first names affect our chances -- Yohan ~ Juwan?
August 2nd, 2021 at 11:16 AM ^
Matt, great write up and clips. We're other coaches at three top100 from Michigan's staff?
August 2nd, 2021 at 11:29 AM ^
August 2nd, 2021 at 11:45 AM ^
Saddi was sitting with Franz at the draft. He can do that with Yohan too but eventually it will get boring for him to go to the lottery every year.
August 2nd, 2021 at 11:46 AM ^
August 2nd, 2021 at 11:16 AM ^
We can always use a 6-9 point center combo forward defensive wizard.
August 2nd, 2021 at 12:03 PM ^
Too soon.
August 2nd, 2021 at 11:18 AM ^
Matt, you have us so hyped for Yohan it's going to be sad if he's never even offered.
August 2nd, 2021 at 11:47 AM ^
Thanks Matt.
Been hoping for a Traore offer since you first posted highlights of him...I am very surprised that he doesn't have an offer at this point and am a little uncertain what the hold up is....
I hope an offer comes in soon however, and that Moussa is giving him some insight on the Michigan program.
August 2nd, 2021 at 12:15 PM ^
Ohh man, too bad Gradey Dick didn't deliver the dagger
Easy to see why you like this young man Matt, so much talent.
August 2nd, 2021 at 12:51 PM ^
If I'm not mistaken, Jett was #49 in those clips so I consider that a plus. I'm sure he was impressed by Traore's play.
Real excited about Reed! He has all the skills to be an elite big.
And I'm hoping the recruiting staff agrees with you on Traore. He looks like an elite player with huge potential too,
Juwan....this guy needs an offer!
Yohan = Franz. I am going to keep beating this drum.
I'm sure many people think of Yohan as a 4/5 and I get it, but his skillset reminds me so much of Franz and that's the role that we have yet to address in this class. Seems like there are just too many question marks with the rest of our wing targets -- Casey, Rodgers, etc. Dug + Jett + Reed + Traore covers every base -- that is a perfect class.
Along those lines I am pumped to hear that Yohan sees himself as a 4 and not a 5.
Yohan is a 3/4/5 in college but a 3/4 in the NBA.
And yes, he has IMMENSE potential much like Moussa Diabate does.
To my eye, Yohan has a better (re: more reliable) shot than Diabate currently does.
I fully expect Michigan's next recruiting class to be quite stellar. It is really that simple. This coaching staff knows how to, both, coach their young recruits up and catalyze their giftedness and scheme to utilize those individual talents most effectively.
Reed and Traore would surely make an excellent combo.
Traore looks great in the videos, but holy crap, that's some bad competition he's playing against.
That was the Washington Generals' junior team. Otherwise, in these "camp" settings, teams are thrown together and defense is mostly optional. Jett does not play at the low intensity participation level he shows here in a real game either.
I know it's impossible but a small part of me was like "maybe it's Wembanyama!" when I saw the title.
I know it's impossible but a small part of me was like "maybe it's Wembanyama!" when I saw the title.
I know it's impossible but a small part of me was like "maybe it's Wembanyama!" when I saw the title.
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