matas buzelis
Michigan has a bevy of wing-forwards in the stable, but recruiting never ceases in the portal era where programs have to functionally re-recruit their own players and deal with the possibility of mass attrition.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the pecking order of wings in the class of 2023, along with detailed evaluations + film for each.
Matas Buzelis
Height/Weight: Measured at 6'10 in shoes + 183 pounds with 6'10 Wingspan at 2022 Nike Hoop Summit.
High School/AAU: Brewster Academy (NH)/Nike EYBL Expressions Elite (MA)
Weekend Performance: Did not participate in AAU event.
Mainstream Ranking: 5-star/Top 25 Overall
EM Ranking/Evaluation: Projected impact aligns with that of a 5-star prospect. Gifted offensive player that can score + make plays for others at 6'10, while being a potent shooter that can also serve as a floor-spacing wing or pick + pop big. Elite offensive skill coupled with NBA size generally translates to great on-court impact when projecting. His profile took a bit of a hit after a relatively underwhelming junior season at Brewster, where concerns about motor + athleticism manifested. Still, its hard not to see shades of Gordon Hayward when watching Matas despite potential issues in terms of defense and/or motor.
Recruitment: I'm told this recruitment is more viable for Michigan than accepted wisdom will have you believe. The staff recently conducted a home visit + Zoom call with Buzelis and that carries some weight when resources are limited. Juwan Howard was front row for Matas twice during EYBL Session II. This is a big-boy recruitment with Kentucky heavily involved and Florida State once thought to be the leader. Arizona is emerging as a legit threat recently, along with North Carolina. Reading the tea leaves, it doesn't seem that much of anyone has solid intel here. But Michigan has a bit more traction here than people realize and the staff is putting forth a strong effort to land Matas.
Gavin Griffiths
Height/Weight: Listed at 6'6 - 6'7 and 180 - 185. That looks about right.
High School/AAU: Kingswood-Oxford School (CT)/Nike EYBL Expressions Elite (MA)
Weekend Performance: Did not participate in AAU event.
Mainstream Ranking: 4-Star/Top 15-65 Overall
EM Ranking/Evaluation: I have yet to see Griffiths play live (injured this Spring), but the film displays an outstanding shooter that connects on triples with pull-ups and movement via screens + hand-offs + relocations. Solid handle, but probably not a primary shot-creator. Decent athlete, but lacks twitchiness. Has the look of a floor-spacing wing that can serve as a secondary playmaker.
Recruitment: Last weekend I was told the confidence level from the Michigan staff has dropped considerably here. The official visit on 6/14 is no longer a certainty. Seems like an OV to Rutgers may have changed things after Griffiths flat out confirmed Michigan is at the top of the list during an interview with Rivals a few weeks back.
[After THE JUMP: Things Picking Up With The Mayor?]
Michigan has a bevy of wing-forwards in the stable, but recruiting never ceases in the portal era where programs have to functionally re-recruit their own players and deal with the possibility of mass attrition.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the pecking order of wings in the class of 2023, along with detailed evaluations + film for each.
Matas Buzelis
Height/Weight: Measured at 6'10 in shoes + 183 pounds with 6'10 Wingspan at 2022 Nike Hoop Summit.
High School/AAU: Brewster Academy (NH)/Nike EYBL Expressions Elite (MA)
Weekend Performance: Put on usual display of ball-skills + shotmaking in 6'10 frame at the Gym Rat Classic in Albany, NY.
Mainstream Ranking: 5-star/Top 25 Overall
EM Ranking/Evaluation: Projected impact aligns with that of a 5-star prospect. Gifted offensive player that can score + make plays for others at 6'10, while being a potent shooter that can also serve as a floor-spacing wing or pick + pop big. Elite offensive skill coupled with NBA size generally translates to great on-court impact when projecting. His profile took a bit of a hit after a relatively underwhelming junior season at Brewster, where concerns about motor + athleticism manifested. Still, its hard not to see shades of Gordon Hayward when watching Matas despite potential issues in terms of defense and/or motor.
Recruitment: I'm told this recruitment is more viable for Michigan than accepted wisdom will have you believe. The staff recently conducted a home visit + Zoom call with Buzelis and that carries some weight when resources are limited. Juwan Howard was front row for Matas twice during EYBL Session II. This is a big-boy recruitment with Kentucky heavily involved and Florida State once thought to be the leader. Arizona is emerging as a legit threat recently. Reading the tea leaves, it doesn't seem that much of anyone has solid intel here. But Michigan has a bit more traction here than people realize and the staff is putting forth a strong effort to land Matas.
Gavin Griffiths
Height/Weight: Listed at 6'6 - 6'7 and 180 - 185. That looks about right.
High School/AAU: Kingswood-Oxford School (CT)/Nike EYBL Expressions Elite (MA)
Weekend Performance: Returned to action over the weekend after sitting out April due to injury.
Mainstream Ranking: 4-Star/Top 15-65 Overall
EM Ranking/Evaluation: I have yet to see Griffiths play live (injured this Spring), but the film displays an outstanding shooter that connects on triples with pull-ups and movement via screens + hand-offs + relocations. Solid handle, but probably not a primary shot-creator. Decent athlete, but lacks twitchiness. Has the look of a floor-spacing wing that can serve as a secondary playmaker.
Recruitment: Will be in Ann Arbor for official visit on 6/14. Flat out confirmed Michigan is at the top of the list during an interview with Rivals a few weeks back. Will take OV to Virginia Tech in early June before making his way to Ann Arbor. Close friends with Papa Kante, who will also be on campus 6/14. Package deals rarely work out in hoops, but both prospects have Michigan as either the outright leader or among a top 2-3. Things are definitely serious with both.
[After THE JUMP: The Ascension of Mayar Wol]
I was in Indianapolis for Nike EYBL over the weekend as the second live evaluation period of 2022 kicked-off. While Michigan has a bevy of wing-forwards in the stable, recruiting never ceases in the portal era where programs have to functionally re-recruit their own players.
With that in mind, let's take a look at which prospects the staff viewed on the road this weekend and the relative hierarchy.
Matas Buzelis
Height/Weight: Measured at 6'10 in shoes + 183 pounds with 6'10 Wingspan at 2022 Nike Hoop Summit.
High School/AAU: Brewster Academy (NH)/Nike EYBL Expressions Elite (MA)
Weekend Performance: 14.8ppg, 4reb, 1blk on 71% FG and 44.4% from distance in four games
Mainstream Ranking: 5-star/Top 25 Overall
EM Ranking/Evaluation: Projected impact aligns with that of a 5-star prospect. Gifted offensive player that can score + playmake for others at 6'10, while being a potent shooter that can also serve as a floor-spacing wing or pick + pop big. Elite offensive skill coupled with NBA size generally translates to great on-court impact when projecting. His profile took a bit of a hit after a relatively underwhelming junior season at Brewster, where concerns about motor + athleticism manifested. Still, its hard not to see shades of Gordon Hayward when watching Matas despite potential issues in terms of defense and/or motor.
Recruitment: I'm told this recruitment is more viable for Michigan than accepted wisdom will have you believe. The staff recently conducted a home visit + Zoom call with Buzelis last week and that carries some weight where resources are limited. Juwan Howard was front row for Matas twice on Saturday as well. This is a big-boy recruitment with Kentucky heavily involved. But Michigan has some traction here and the staff is putting forth a strong effort to land Matas.
Gavin Griffiths
Height/Weight: Listed at 6'6 - 6'7 and 180 - 185. That looks about right.
High School/AAU: Kingswood-Oxford School (CT)/Nike EYBL Expressions Elite (MA)
Weekend Performance: Out with Injury.
Mainstream Ranking: 4-Star/Top 15-65 Overall
EM Ranking/Evaluation: I have yet to see Griffiths play live (injured this Spring), but the film displays an outstanding shooter that connects on triples with pull-ups and movement via screens + hand-offs + relocations. Solid handle, but probably not a primary shot-creator. Decent athlete, but lacks twitchiness. Has the look of a floor-spacing wing that can serve as a secondary playmaker.
Recruitment: Will be in Ann Arbor for official visit on 6/14. Also has OVs scheduled to Rutgers and Virginia Tech. Tough to get a read on where things stand since coaches haven't seen him play during the April live evaluation periods and can't properly slot him on their respective priority boards. For Michigan's purposes, getting an OV obviously means there is serious mutual serious interest.
[After THE JUMP: Mayar Wol]
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