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.