Five-Star Basketball Recruit Caleb Houstan Commits To Michigan
Montverde (FL) Academy forward Caleb Houstan, the #8 overall player in the class of 2021, told ESPN this morning he's committed to Michigan.
"Michigan really showed that they wanted me and that I was going to be a key part of their program," Houstan said. "They were invested in me as a player and really took the time to get to know my game. They run a system that I know I can do well in. I also developed great relationships with their coaching staff. Coach Howard led my recruitment and was involved throughout the entire process; Coach Washington as well and Coach Martelli were all great too."
His other finalists were Duke, Virginia, and Alabama.
Houstan, a sweet-shooting 3/4 listed at 6'8", 205 pounds, is the fifth commit in Juwan Howard's 2021 class, which is now #1 in the country on the 247 Composite.
While Michigan is now technically full on scholarships for 2021-22, that will change; it includes Chaundee Brown, who's likely to get a waiver to play this year, and assumes no attrition, which never happens in basketball. We'll see how a COVID season impacts the scholarship picture.
Matt will have a complete Hello post later today. There's no content after the jump.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:23 AM ^
I hit the Read More button, but there's nothing there. I wished you would have warned me about that.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:32 AM ^
He did. It says "no content after the jump"
October 30th, 2020 at 2:00 PM ^
No, he said 'no content after the jump'. He told me there would be no content if I jumped. I did not jump just like he said. There is still no content after clicking the Read More button.
October 30th, 2020 at 9:44 PM ^
Is this the MGoBlog way of saying “first”?
October 30th, 2020 at 10:25 AM ^
heavy breathing
October 30th, 2020 at 10:26 AM ^
HELLS TO THE YEAH!!
October 30th, 2020 at 10:27 AM ^
Such a wonderful and critical addition. This is one hell of a class...and very likely there will be at least one more very fine addition.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:46 AM ^
Kid's got an NBA stroke and looks like a very cerebral player. Appears to be a solid if not unspectacular athlete, but he definitely has stretch to his game and looks like a functional ball handler and plus passer on the perimeter.
He's definitely a good one. Welcome Caleb!
October 30th, 2020 at 12:18 PM ^
Seems to me he is a Franz Wagner clone (great stroke, can get to the basket), which the team will need desperately as Franz is sure to go to NBA after this season.
October 30th, 2020 at 11:28 AM ^
I bet we get either Efton Reid or Moussa Diabate. Both of whom would be stellar. The latter is at IMG with Jett, so that might be the deal. Other hand: Efton has us in teh top 3. HAve to imagine one of them wants to secure the spot in the class before it's filled.
LET'S GO!
October 30th, 2020 at 10:29 AM ^
I worship at the church of Juwan. All hail Howard!
October 30th, 2020 at 10:29 AM ^
I am glad but have l learned to hold my excitement until he’s on the court at UM.
October 30th, 2020 at 12:17 PM ^
Caleb has a very nice up-side/high ceiling but I do not believe the G-League is a threat. I don't think he is a "flip" threat either...Michigan has early space/need/playing time for him-not to mention excellent teammates.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:29 AM ^
Caleb Houstan + sparty beatdown this weekend= tears of joy
October 30th, 2020 at 10:31 AM ^
Nice!! Now comes the hard part, actually getting him on campus... sorry, 2020 recruiting has left me jaded.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:33 AM ^
I LOVE this kids stroke. What a sweet, soft shot. Huge pickup.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:37 AM ^
Whoa. Dude. Excellent.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:39 AM ^
A shooter! A real life bonafide, space the floor shooter. Be stil my heart.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:41 AM ^
Originally from Mississauga, too. The Canadian pipeline continues.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:44 AM ^
I just can't do this again. Very happy for the kid, but I'll get excited when I see him in a Michigan uniform.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:48 AM ^
Niiiiice
October 30th, 2020 at 10:49 AM ^
Holy shit this is one of the best surprises Ive ever opened up mgoblog to find. Hell yes. Perimeter shot making lets gooooooooooo
October 30th, 2020 at 10:52 AM ^
I hear that Izzo is seriously considering retirement.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:54 AM ^
6'8" wing with a great shot? Yes please.
I don't remember if Matt EM covered this in his recent piece on Houstan or not, but is he projected to be a one and done type talent? Or, do I allow myself to get my hopes up of seeing multiple years of him wearing the Block M
October 30th, 2020 at 11:00 AM ^
I'm good with the one and done if it's like the Duke way where they're mixed with good 4 year players and win championships and not the Kentucky way where they leave every year and have great seasons but never win a championship.
October 30th, 2020 at 11:16 AM ^
I think he's closer to being 2 and done than one and done but he'll fit in well in the modern NBA as a stretch 4. He has the height and shooting to be a mismatch or stretch out the defense. He likely will need to bulk up a bit in order to play at the 4 in the B1G.
October 30th, 2020 at 12:56 PM ^
I think he's primarily a 3 who could slide up to the 4. His body type and play style is pretty similar to Jayson Tatum or Tobias Harris. Camp Sanderson will do a lot of good for Houstan
October 30th, 2020 at 8:01 PM ^
He's pretty similar to Cam Johnson who plays a 4 for the Suns. 6'8" who can shoot with average at best athleticism.
October 30th, 2020 at 12:21 PM ^
Agree on both accounts. I definitely think the path to continued high level success is a good distribution of top 100 prospects. If we can pull in a stud that is a 1 or 2 year player every year to complement whats already on the roster, we should be a tough out every year.
Man, I am really excited to see where UM Hoops goes in the next couple years
October 30th, 2020 at 10:58 AM ^
Bang Bang!
I'll personally volunteer to cut anyone from the D-League who approaches him....
Edit: Just have to add that despite the misses last year you have to admit that Howard is a talented recruiter.
October 30th, 2020 at 11:03 AM ^
Staee can have Emoni Bates. I'd rather have this guy.
October 30th, 2020 at 11:17 AM ^
I want Emoni Bates as well. Elite player with uncommon movement skills at his size with outstanding shooting stroke. There's a reason why he's projected to be #1 overall pick in 2021 or 2022 draft.
October 30th, 2020 at 11:11 AM ^
Outstanding surprise news on a Friday morning. BANG BANG!
October 30th, 2020 at 11:13 AM ^
No Muppets? guess I'm old.
October 30th, 2020 at 11:56 AM ^
We can haz nice things??????
October 30th, 2020 at 12:06 PM ^
Alright - big score for Juwan!! GO BLUE!!
Aside from recruiting, has news on the basketball front been unusually and disturbingly quiet? I imagine there's a lot going on behind the scenes to try and make a season happen but I'm a little worried that there haven't been any leaks or developments. I guess it's an incredibly tricky thing to pull off and we've all had the return of football to focus on, but still. Has anyone heard anything that might give us some hope?
Also - is it a little disturbing that Alabama was in the running for this guy? And for other big recruits? I guess they got that new coach but I'm pretty suspicious. Alabama has no basketball tradition to speak of, like at all, and their football program's recruiting techniques are...suspect.
October 30th, 2020 at 12:23 PM ^
Alabama could get the top five players from every class for the next 20 years and never win an NC. You still have to know how to play this game.
October 30th, 2020 at 12:55 PM ^
Nate Oats would have been a top candidate to replace Beilein, if Alabama didn't already hire him.
October 30th, 2020 at 12:14 PM ^
OMG we can haz good things??? I has confuzed.
October 30th, 2020 at 12:59 PM ^
Roster in 2021 questions for Matt and/or the board...
Is it safe to assume (at least) 2 more spots in this "class" with Brown getting his waiver and Franz leaving after the season?
Assuming we get one of the centers we are chasing...What is the best use of the last spot? --
My thoughts --We look VERY thin/young at the guard positions imo (Zeb and the 2 2021 recruits) so:
- Convince Brooks or Smith to stay for a 6th year? (Pretty sure MBB gets the "free" year also..)
- Look for a veteran Guard via the portal?
- Add another guard in the class?
Am I looking at the Roster incorrectly? Can Barnes, Houstan, or Nunez be a good enough secondary ball handler that we go for another big or "best available?
Also of note.....2021 and 2022 will be VERY young teams barring transfers. Seniors Nunez and Johns will be the only upperclassmen when Houstan and crew get to AA (assuming Wagner goes to the league as expected).
Bonus extra question -- Does anyone know if M (or other schools) can "game" the roster limits in 2021 with the Covid provisions by bringing back Davis, Brooks, Smith etc. while still adding 7 Freshmen?
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