Hoops Recruiting On the Cusp Again
Michigan appears primed to add another big piece (!) to a 2020 class that is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory. The latest on the pursuit of priority prospect Hunter Dickinson and the remaining targets below.
Dickinson Set to Announce This Week
Four-star center Hunter Dickinson will announce his college choice later this week, he tells @247Sports.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) December 17, 2019
After more than a month’s worth of “he’s going to commit this week” speculation, it appears top-40 center Hunter Dickinson will indeed make an announcement today or tomorrow.
Considering Evan Daniels placed a crystal ball in favor of Michigan just a few hours prior to the tweet above, the timing bodes well for the Wolverines.
With 91% of the crystal balls in favor of the good guys and all 7 of the Rivals’ future forecast projections reading Michigan, the confidence level is high on this one.
My intel has not changed, this has been a Michigan/Florida State battle for a month now, with Michigan in prime position to land the DMV big man.
It looks as if we will have nice things for basketball heading into the Holidays.
[Hit THE JUMP for potential buddy-ball and more.]
Bringing Friends?
While it appears adding Dickinson may be a mere formality at this point, the bigger question is where do we go from here?
As reported previously, 4-star forward Terrance Williams may be next up. Williams told me last week that he’s planning official visits to both Michigan and UCLA after decommitting from a Georgetown program laced with scandal.
I spoke with Terrance briefly on Monday, and while he has yet to lock in the OV with Michigan, he definitely plans on setting a precise date in the near future.
As mentioned last week, I’m told Williams is very close with Hunter Dickinson. Both play Summer ball together for Nike-sponsored Team Takeover on the EYBL circuit and live in close proximity to one another in the DMV area.
If we assume that good things happen with Dickinson, that certainly wouldn’t hurt our pursuit of Terrance.
Rivals’ Notre Dame insider Mike Singer placed a Future Forecast for Michigan yesterday. Considering ND was in Williams’ final three the first time around, that appears meaningful.
Remaining Targets
Beyond the aforementioned two, the 2020 board is essentially 5-star guard Josh Christopher as of right now.
Christopher’s father gave some fluff substance to Sam Webb in the aftermath of their official visit a few weeks back.
“Just watching them in the gym, and watching how they coach the game, and paying very close attention to how they are with their kids,” he said. “And to see what (Howard) is bringing in… some of the recruits that he’s looking at, you can see what he’s building for sure.”
In the same piece, Poppa Christopher expressly acknowledges Michigan weather isn’t necessarily desirable.
While there’s no doubt Juwan Howard and staff will do everything possible to land Josh, I’m told UCLA is the likely destination at this point.
Beyond that, Christopher’s brother is a member of the Arizona State basketball team, while a family member is on staff at Missouri.
I wouldn’t get my hopes up here.
The Future
Juwan Howard seems to be emphasizing the junior and sophomore classes in recent weeks. That trend continued with a few new offers this week.
Blessed and thankful to receive an offer from the University of Michigan 〽️ pic.twitter.com/CHClmXRSPP
— Jett Howard (@JettHoward5) December 18, 2019
In a bold move, Howard offered top-50 sophomore Jett Howard. You may be privy to the fact that Juwan is the father of Jett. This feels like a battle that Michigan may win.
An offer was also extended to 2022 Skyy Clark yesterday. An early five-star from SoCal, Clark was a teammate of Bronny James on the EYBL circuit with Strive for Greatness.
blessed to receive an offer from Michigan! very special moment . thank you Coach Howard and the staff ❤️and thank you God! pic.twitter.com/HMQ6dXRdfk
— Skyy Clark (@_skyyclark_) December 18, 2019
December 19th, 2019 at 1:53 PM ^
I'll say this, basketball recruiting sure is a whole lot more exciting with Howard in town. Whether it is because he offers guys that don't need to step on campus first, he has playing experience, etc....it is fun to watch. Reminds me of chasing after Mitch McGary, but all the time.
December 19th, 2019 at 1:54 PM ^
Jackson, Todd, Williams, and Dickinson would be a great class. Too bad on Christopher, but hopefully things change.
What is the story with Jace Howard? Would he potentially be a walk on next year? All of his crystal balls are to Michigan.
December 19th, 2019 at 1:58 PM ^
He can't walk on he took an OV. He's likely to be the 5th member of the class
December 19th, 2019 at 1:58 PM ^
He can't walk on he took an OV. He's likely to be the 5th member of the class
December 19th, 2019 at 1:58 PM ^
LET ME REEMPHASIZE IN CASE YOU DIDN'T HEAR ME
He can't walk on he took an OV. He's likely to be the 5th member of the class.
December 19th, 2019 at 2:08 PM ^
Thank you - a final note of clarification has provided the assurance I needed regarding the veracity of your original claim.
December 19th, 2019 at 5:21 PM ^
voracity of claim, however, needed no assurance
December 19th, 2019 at 2:09 PM ^
Are you sure that's a rule? I've never heard that before. I'm almost certain I've heard of players taking officials before and end up walking on because no scholarship offer ended up being extended.
December 19th, 2019 at 2:42 PM ^
I looked it up the last time somebody made this point, and I've been unable to find any such rule. The only rule that I found is that the player couldn't blueshirt, meaning that he couldn't show up, get a scholarship at the start of practice, and then play, while the scholarship counts against next year's totals. That's only allowed for unrecruited prospects (meaning, no OV).
I haven't found anything that says that a player can't walk onto a school after receiving an OV there.
December 20th, 2019 at 7:58 AM ^
Basketball and football recruiting rules are obviously different.
For one thing, there is no class size limit in basketball, which blueshirting in football is a way to get around.
December 20th, 2019 at 7:58 AM ^
points are back, but the double posts have never gone away
December 19th, 2019 at 7:19 PM ^
Not true at all OV doesnt mean a thing the QB Michigan just signed was going to walk on and he took an official visit here.
December 19th, 2019 at 10:24 PM ^
He was never going to walk on, he was offered a grayshirt. That happens frequently.
December 19th, 2019 at 2:00 PM ^
Matt, whats your opinion on Juwan seemingly not offering some of the top guys in Michigan for 2021 and 2022? You have guys like Kobe Bufkin, Jaden Akins, and Pierre Brooks in 2021 and Ty Rodgers and JaVaughn Hannah in 2022 and we haven’t offered any of them or seemingly even shown much interest. I’m liking what Juwan is doing with recruiting but I can’t help but think he’s disregarding some guys in our own state who could be major contributors in favor of some guys who are going to be much tougher pulls from elsewhere
December 19th, 2019 at 2:50 PM ^
Michigan's in-state 2021 class is one of the best in the last 5 years or so, and I'm sure the time will come when a few of those kids are prioritized. I'm not that high on Kristian Lander personally. He's a very good prospect, but I think some of the Michigan kids are just as good.
What I can say is that Javaughn Hannah has visited multiple times since the fall. He received a Texas A&M offer today. From a source VERY close to the situation, Michigan "would be hard to turn down"
December 19th, 2019 at 3:00 PM ^
Thanks, Matt. I definitely would be more than happy to pull Kristian Lander, but Jaden Akins looks like a combo guard type that I'd definitely be upset if we let get away. Also thanks for the info on Hannah. He seems like a baller
December 19th, 2019 at 3:04 PM ^
To say that I'm a member of the Jaden Akins fan club would be an understatement. The kid is criminally undervalued. At one point in the not so distant past, I was the only evaluation service that saw him as a high-major prospect. Fast forward 6 months and he's experienced quite the blow up and having a phenomenal start to his junior year despite still being a bit under the radar. He did this in front of Izzo last week
https://twitter.com/endless_motor/status/1205313808174059520:
December 19th, 2019 at 3:43 PM ^
Are we even recruiting Akins? I don't recall seeing much on that front.
December 19th, 2019 at 4:12 PM ^
Yes. Akins attended elite camp and was absolutely dominant. Followed that up with an unofficial visit during the Fall.
Need to Offer before things take a serious step forward.
December 19th, 2019 at 5:27 PM ^
You're not alone. I also think Jaden Akins is a baller. I want to see him in a Michigan uniform for multiple years. I think he's on the verge of blowing up...
He's especially important because I get the sense that he's a zero sum recruit - if not us, then Sparty.
December 19th, 2019 at 5:45 PM ^
Yes, I dont want to lose him to Sparty. Still need to prioritize our state, especially since 2021 and 2022 is very strong in state.
December 20th, 2019 at 1:00 AM ^
9-11 from 3 is super impressive, but watching that video, where the heck was the defense? A guy is lighting you up and you're leaving him wide open for 3's? Ugh.
Still, anyone who can hit 9-11 from 3 even when left open is a great shooter.
December 19th, 2019 at 3:08 PM ^
Michigan under Beilien, Hannah was being recruited much harder by Izzo and Michigan State. Has this changed now with Howard?
Also as you probably already know but did not put in your post, Emoni Bates and Javaughn Hannah are very, very close. Wherever Hannah commits to, and if Emoni were to decide to go to college instead of pros, it sure the hell would not hurt the college Hannah committed to in landing Bates.
EDIT:
Future150 rankings for 2022 class... Michigan players (the state is LOADED) included Jett too.
1. Emoni Bates SF, MI
17. Jett Howard, SG, FL
41. Ty Rogers, SF, MI
55. JaVaughn Hannah SF, MI
63. Marquis Daveport, C, MI
December 19th, 2019 at 3:19 PM ^
Michigan State just recently entered the picture for Hannah, and Izzo has not been the point man and that is being noticed. Juwan on the other hand, has made himself available to the Hannah family and that is also being noticed.
And while I'm not going to get into direct comparisons between Beilein and Howard, the recruiting approach under Juwan Howard resonates with prospects and their families.
December 19th, 2019 at 3:42 PM ^
How did he get Tyranus and Luke’s lightsabers ?????
December 20th, 2019 at 1:01 AM ^
Super high midichlorian count.
December 19th, 2019 at 2:11 PM ^
Wonder if the NCAA will ding us for recruiting violations when they find out that Juwan bought Jett Howard a bunch of Christmas presents this year.
December 19th, 2019 at 7:36 PM ^
I'm fairly sure he makes him stretch too! Hurry and call the Detroit Free Press!
December 19th, 2019 at 10:21 PM ^
I hope he didn't buy him a car.
December 20th, 2019 at 1:02 AM ^
It will be the loaner car that brings us down.
December 20th, 2019 at 7:21 AM ^
too soon.
December 19th, 2019 at 2:11 PM ^
Skyy might be the best possible name for a basketball player.
December 19th, 2019 at 2:48 PM ^
i would vote for Shaka Laka, but that's just me
December 19th, 2019 at 3:17 PM ^
God Shammgod
December 19th, 2019 at 5:54 PM ^
My favorite name in sports ever. God Shamgod is an elite name.
December 19th, 2019 at 6:56 PM ^
Kobe Bufkin’s not bad either
December 19th, 2019 at 6:56 PM ^
Kobe Bufkin’s not bad either
December 19th, 2019 at 6:28 PM ^
What’s wrong with Jett?
December 19th, 2019 at 2:42 PM ^
Jett, Skyy... give us all your air-based recruits...
December 19th, 2019 at 6:23 PM ^
Jett, Skyy... givee uss all yourr airr basedd recruitss.
/ gollumm, gollumm
December 19th, 2019 at 4:08 PM ^
well, we might lead for jett howard, assuming juwan doesn't do something stupid, like going 17-13 instead of 24-6, or picking zavier simpson to take a last shot. the fanbase won't stand for it.
December 19th, 2019 at 6:23 PM ^
Combining Zeb, Todd, Dickinson and Williams to what we have coming back gets me really excited for next year. I'm gonna enjoy this year but, damm, what possibilites for next year!
December 19th, 2019 at 6:30 PM ^
Matt - I really like your posts. Easy to read, concise, informative. You've been a great addition to the website!
December 19th, 2019 at 7:09 PM ^
Thank you for the kind words. I’m excited to play a small part in the extensive coverage that the entire MGo crew brings to the Michigan alumni and fan base. Always been a dream to cover Michigan in some capacity and it’s a privilege to do that with incredibly talented colleagues while interacting with the most knowledgeable and informed sports community in the world.
December 19th, 2019 at 9:39 PM ^
Matt,
Do you see much chance of Michigan flipping a currently committed but unsigned 2020 kid, especially a SG if we don’t land Christopher?
December 19th, 2019 at 10:16 PM ^
I'd be all for Moses Moody or Adam Miller flipping. Why not Earl Timberlake, SF from same school as Dickinson? Not interested in Jalen Terry?
December 19th, 2019 at 10:36 PM ^
Seeing Dickinson next to 6'9" Todd shows what a monster Dickinson already is.
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