tre donaldson

After a somewhat prolonged process, Michigan formally announced the addition of Vlad Goldin last week. 

In our internal slack chats I wasn't so subtle in stating that Goldin would be a bigger get in relation to Johnell Davis regardless of what any transfer ranking would have you believe. Seven-footers with true two-way impact aren't typically available for programs such as Michigan, particularly those in the portal. The necessary resources typically exceed what Michigan can reasonably offer.

It would be an understatement to say that I'm excited about Goldin.  This is a massive pick-up for the Wolverines, both literally and figuratively.

SCOUTING (Offense)

First and foremost, Vlad is an outstanding finisher at the rim. He converted 72% of his 200 attempts at the rim last season. Goldin routinely finishes over length and through contact.

I have zero doubts as to whether this facet of his game will translate, as the clips above have Vlad finishing over Charleston behemoths James Scott/Ante Brzovic and Coleman Hawkins with relative ease. The volume lends credence to this as well, as a whopping 200 out of 303 total FGAs from Goldin last season were at the rim per Torvik. He's going to own the restricted area. 

The thing that really popped on film review is Vlad's impeccable touch. He consistently converts "other twos". Functionally those come in the form of jumphooks, and he's superb using both hands.An ambidextrous 7-footer with elite touch is quite the weapon at the college level. For context, Goldin shot 58.3% on 103 "other two" attempts per Torvik. That is ridiculous efficiency on high volume for a shot type that is generally considered sub-par. Having a 7-foot Tony Parker is hard to visualize, but here we are. 

Vlad is also adept as a back-to-the-basket scorer. He has above-average pivoting/footwork, understands where his spots are and is patient in getting to them. He doesn't settle much. 

Goldin does really well for himself absorbing initial contact and maintaining balance. He usually gets the better of his defender after that initial contact and leverages his superior size and impeccable touch to convert. 

[After THE JUMP: the exact archetype Michigan needs]

Dusty May continued his portal invasion last Monday, when Alabama transfer Sam Walters committed to Michigan.

SCOUTING (Offense)

Sam Walters' primary role on offense is quite simple, make perimeter shots. And that he does. The raw numbers are impressive, as the 6'10 PF knocked down 39.4% of his triples as a freshman. The catch + shoot numbers are terrific given the competition level, as 1.18pps places him in the 82nd percentile nationally per Synergy.  

The raw numbers are great, but a deeper-dive under the hood makes it relatively easy to project Sam as a great (perhaps elite) shooter for Dusty May. At 6'10 with some lift on his shot, Walters is nearly immune to contests at the college level as seen in the film below. And the numbers back it up. Dropping 1.29pps on 57 guarded catch + shoot jumpers doesn't seem possible. For context, that is 94th percentile in the country.

In addition to being contest-immune in college, Sam also has NBA range that comfortably extends to 27 feet.Walters can increase defender closeout distance by setting up a few feet behind the line and has shown that his size makes it functionally impossible to bother him? Sign me up for that. This can be a real defense-bender at the college level. 

And while he's primarily a stationary shooter, Sam flashed some ability to be a movement shooter during his freshman campaign. The first possession in the clip below is a standard Delay set where the big sets a pindown for a curling shooter at the top of the key (Michigan used this often under Juwan Howard). In other words this is a designed action, which means Nate Oats saw some things in practice that warrant this shot type. The remainder of the clip sees Walters relocating before hitting triples. This has a a lot of functional utility. As being able to hit relocation threes translates to maximizing passing windows and not being reliant on perfect passes from teammates. It is an undervalued facet for shooters in your author's opinion. 

[After THE JUMP: just a shooter now, but probably more down the road]

Dusty May was already off to a hot start with respect to portal acquisitions and it has now reached full inferno levels, as former Ohio State guard/wing Roddy Gayle pledged to Michigan on Monday.  

Don't need much of an introduction here, as Wolverine hoop fans are undoubtedly familiar with Roddy's game and the positive impact he's bringing to Ann Arbor.

SCOUTING (Offense)

First and foremost, Gayle is a guy that attacks the rim and finishes well once he gets there. He takes 43% of his shot attempts at the rim and puts up 1.21pps, good for 65th percentile in the nation per Synergy. Only 33.7% of the rim makes are assisted per Torvik. In short, he's creating 2/3 of his rim attempts and converting at a high rate for a perimeter player. 

From an evaluation perspective, Roddy gets good elevation, particularly off two feet, and simply finishes over and through opposing players with some regularity. Gayle also has great body control and contorts his body to avoid shotblocking/contact when there is seemingly nothing there. What makes this really impressive is that he's so adept at finishing with his left hand.  

Continuing with the theme of attacking the paint, Roddy has a superb floater game. His touch is impeccable when going off one or two legs.While floaters are generally inefficient shots for non-NBA guards, Gayle is the exception to the rule. Checking in at 88th percentile in terms of runner attempts per Synergy, Roddy is 80th percentile in converting such attempts (.96pps). With that combination of elite volume + elite conversion, its safe to say he has one of the premier floater games in all of college basketball. 

[After THE JUMP: secondary playmaking, iffy shooting and a solid defender?]