We're in a brief dead period for basketball recruiting, which seems like an ideal time to check in on the latest developments. I'm keeping the focus on the 2015 and 2016 classes for now; Michigan is still in the early stages of reaching out to 2017 recruits, and there's plenty to cover in the '15 and '16 classes, anyway.

2015: Dozier to SC, M Interested In German Prospect

After Michigan took transfer Duncan Robinson, it appeared they were all but done with the 2015 class, but the coaching staff is still pursuing a few talented prospects, including a couple players who've only emerged on M's radar in recent weeks. Michigan won't land anyone during the early signing period, which began yesterday and runs through the 19th, but they're in on a few players that could sign in the second period (April 15-May 20).

First, let's take one target off the board: PG PJ Dozier ended up surprising many with his decision yesterday, but it wasn't the surprise Michigan fans hoped for—instead of choosing Louisville, as expected, Dozier decided to stay in his home state and play for South Carolina. Happy trails to the young man.

Even operating under the unlikely assumption that no underclassman leaves the program after this season, Michigan has an open scholarship to work with for 2015-16, and they're focusing on a handful of top targets.

One of them just the radar: Berlin (GER) forward Moritz Wagner, whose highlights grace the top of this post—the 6'9" forward very much has the look of a classic Beilein big. Beilein flew to Germany recently to personally invite Wagner to campus; if he visited, he'd presumably get an offer. Duke and UConn have also reportedly shown interest, and Wagner also will have the option of going the professional route, per UMHoops:

“To study has always been my goal and that is parallel to the sport in the United States at the best,” Wagner recently told Berliner-Zeitung (translated). “On the other hand, it was always my dream to become a professional. Because the temptation is great, tackling issues. This is both cool.”

Wagner was born April 26th, 1997 and would be a member of the 2015 class. He recently told BZ-Berlin that he will make a decision on his future, signing professionally in Germany or attending college in the United States, after the season. He has reportedly been offered a four-year contract by Alba Berlin.

Obviously, this is a wait-and-see situation.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the recruiting outlook, including Michigan getting into the mix for the nation's #2 overall prospect.]

DO WANT

The other very intriguing name to pop up lately is GA SF Jaylen Brown, the #2 overall player on the 247 Composite. At first blush, you'd think Michigan is too late to the party to really be in the mix for such a highly ranked prospect, but that's not the case. Brown and his family hail from Muskegon, and while he's looking closely at the college basketball blue-bloods—his three officials thus far have been to Kansas, Kentucky, and UCLA—his mother says he's got very real interest in the Wolverines, per UMHoops's Alejandro Zúñiga:

Brown plans to make his collegiate decision during the second NLI signing period, which ends May 20, and isn’t rushing the process.

“Michigan, of course, needed no introduction,” Mechalle Brown said. “They reached out and spoke with Jaylen regarding his interest, and since we are Michigan people, we definitely have a big interest regarding Michigan.”

Brown has tentative plans to take one of his final two official visits to Michigan. The Wolverines should have a good shot at him, though another school that has yet to offer would loom large if they did, per Scout's Brian Snow:

When asked if Michigan will have a chance in this recruitment despite coming in late, Brown said, “For sure I am going to consider them. For me it isn’t about recruiting me the hardest or recruiting me the longest, it is about the best fit. All of these schools are really good, and for me it is all about what is the best school to go to in terms of fit and where I am most comfortable. I am more concerned with how I relate to the coach than the school with the best record or that has been recruiting me the longest.”

While Michigan has some family ties, North Carolina is Brown’s admitted dream school.

“North Carolina is also a school that came in late, but basically they were my dream school growing up,” explained Brown. “I loved North Carolina growing up. I always watched them and it was always my favorite team.”

Landing the nation's #2 overall prospect would be quite the coup; there will, of course, be plenty of competition.

Finally, Michigan is still recruiting 6'8" IN C Caleb Swanigan, though even if the Wolverines offer it appears Michigan State has the edge in his recruitment. He took unofficials to MSU and Duke last weekend; Arizona and Kentucky are also heavily involved.

2016: M Makes Thornton's Top Ten, Cook Offered

Hoops recruiting moves at a pretty slow pace compared to football, so not a whole lot has changed for the 2016 class since Dylan posted a recruiting overview back in September. 

Since then, Michigan made the top ten cut for five-star point guard Derryck Thornton Jr., per Scout:

The 6-foot-2, 165-pound Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep prospect, ranked 6th in his class nationally by Scout.com, is down to Duke, Kentucky, Michigan, Louisville,Arizona, California, USC, Miami, UNLV and NC State.

Michigan looks to be among the favorites even in that group, and Thornton's approach to narrowing his list shouldn't hurt:

"I want to watch a lot of games to see how I can fit into these programs," he said. "I want to see their style of play, how the coaches react to the players and the point guard."

I've heard the Wolverines have produced some pretty good point guards lately. Thornton's high interest in Michigan could also help in the recruitment of five-star SG Tyus Battle; the two have discussed playing together in college and there's serious mutual interest between M's coaches and Battle. Michigan is one of five schools—along with Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, and Miami—to be in both prospects' respective top groups.

The other main development since Dylan's overview is Michigan came through with an offer for four-star MO PF Tyler Cook:

"Coach [John] Beilein was at open gym today and offered a scholarship,” Cook told Scout.com afterward.

On the Wolverines, Cook added, "He just really cares about his players off the court. Michigan is a great basketball program, and he said he wants to help me raise my game."

Cook's recruitment is gaining steam, and he already holds offers from two strong programs close to home: Kansas and Mizzou.