Hoops Hello: Kobe Bufkin
Juwan Howard continued his impressive run on the recruiting trail when 4-star wing Kobe Bufkin announced for Michigan today on Twitter and Instagram. Bufkin gives the Wolverines their third pledge for the 2021 class, joining Simeon HS (IL) 4-star wing Isaiah Barnes and 3-star Stewartsville (MN) big Will Tschetter.
First I thank God for the blessings, abilities and talents - I cherish them!
— Kobe Bufkin (@kb33zy_04) July 10, 2020
Thank you to my family n friends
All my Coaches Trainers and Mentors
Thank you to all my many teammates/ brothers and basketball moms n dads.@TiptonEdits pic.twitter.com/RNMdwQBS8x
GURU RANKINGS
Rivals |
ESPN |
24/7 |
Endless Motor |
4*, #61 overall |
4*, #62 overall |
3*, #134 overall |
4*, #40 – 70 Overall |
Three of the four services agree that Bufkin is a solid 4-star prospect, with 247 the outlier. Frankly, Bufkin hasn’t been scouted much by any of the services sans Endless Motor (more on that below), so the lack of love from 247 isn’t cause for concern. The consensus weight is 175 pounds, with Endless Motor going with 6’5 as opposed to the 6’4 height reflected by the remaining outlets. Kobe measured at 6’4 (without shoes) and a tad under 160 pounds at the Nike Elite 100 in June 2019. I think its probably safe to assume he’s a legit 6’5 (likely taller) and hovering around 170-175 pounds at this point. For what its worth, I do have recent evidence that he may be approaching the 6’6 mark and has certainly added muscle mass.
Note – I haven’t taken up the task of individual player rankings yet with AAU events just now tipping off over the last week. I need live evaluation opportunities against legit competition on a relatively level playing field in order to adequately rank hundreds of prospects. I am comfortable issuing a general star ranking/tiered structure as indicated above. In more simplistic terminology, I’d probably have Bufkin in the 40-70 range overall pending more detailed live viewings.
[After the JUMP: growing]
SCOUTING
As someone that has most likely watched Bufkin more than anyone both nationally and locally, I can confidently say he has the complete package offensively. At 6’5 – 6’6 he can play the 1 – 3 spots and excel at each depending on the matchup. He’s that skilled and versatile.
As an on-ball shot creator he is superb in large part due to his pull-up jumper. Kobe has NBA range off the bounce and connects on such attempts with good volume. He also thrives in ballscreen action where he likes to reject the screen and attack in a straight line once he catches his primary defender looking away or angling to ice the screen. From the wing he displays good perimeter footwork, and gets defenders off-balance by jab-stepping and then getting to the rim + finishing in 1-2 dribbles. In what may be a mild surprise to most considering his frame, Bufkin is very good finisher at the rim. He consistently absorbs contact and maintains balance before converting contested layups over bigger/longer defenders.
Kobe is outstanding as a traditional catch-and-shoot SG. With one-motion mechanics, a high release point and good size/length, he is able to get his shot off against closeouts with ease. His range already extends out to 28 feet in what is very fluid shot that doesn’t appear to stress him regardless of distance. There is real potential for Bufkin to be a potent shooter for the Wolverines.
Playmaking is also a strong skill facet for the Grand Rapids native. He collapses the opposition with dribble penetration and finds teammates on dumpoffs for easy baskets. Against zone defense, his size allows him to see over the top and hit open windows.
Kobe is a fluid athlete that has some deceptive pop as a leaper. He doesn’t necessarily have great first-step acceleration, but his long strides allow him to get separation in tandem with his footwork and the threat of his pull-up.
Defensively, I don’t necessarily think he moves well enough to defend quicker guards in the B10. I’ll reiterate that for me position designation is determined by the defensive assignment you are most likely to draw. In my opinion, Bufkin is best suited to defend the SF position. A few of the coaching staff members among his final 5 are of that belief as well.
Third party scouting reports on Kobe are rather scant for a prospect of his caliber. Much like me, Rivals’ Corey Evans seems to like the versatility to play both guard and wing:
“A skilled and versatile guard who can play both on or off the ball, Bufkin is a rangy rising senior who still needs to add bulk to his lean frame. But, he can shoot some, he has some burst at the rim and shows wiggle off the dribble.”
Eric Bossi acknowledges he only saw a brief glimpse of Bufkin last Summer, but that limited time left a favorable impression:
“Of anybody on this list, Bufkin is the guy that I saw the least of but his talent jumped off the court at me. He's a slick driver, wields a good looking jumper and is a fine playmaker for others. When he grows into his body he's going to be very dangerous and he'll be an easy call to bump to four-star status and move into the rankings when we update 2021.”
247 has no evaluation to speak of, which largely explains the #134 ranking. In all likelihood the folks over there have never seen him live.
OFFERS
Kobe chose Michigan over DePaul, LSU, Ohio State and Michigan State. He also held offers from Missouri, Rhode Island, VCU, Northwestern, TCU and a few mid-majors. There is no doubt in my mind that Bufkin’s offer list would’ve absolutely exploded if live evaluation periods were on the docket. Don’t get me wrong, an offer list with 3 of the 4 best programs in the B10 is impressive in its own right, but his recruitment most definitely would take on more of a national vibe in a normal cycle.
HIGH SCHOOL
Grand Rapids Christian (MI) is an average/above average team that doesn’t play the strongest competition around. Former standouts include Michigan State center Xavier Tillman, Duane Washington of Ohio State and Miami-Ohio’s James Beck.
STATS
Bufkin averaged 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists per game during his junior season at Grand Rapids Christian.
VIDEO
2019 EYBL Session I Highlights:
2019 EYBL Session II Highlights:
January 2020 Single Game Highlights vs Wyoming:
PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE
Difficult to project what his role is early on with the waiver status of Chaundee Brown not clear just yet in tandem with the college basketball season not being an absolute certainty. Assuming Brown is granted immediate eligibility and the 20-21 season is played, Bukin should crack the rotation as a freshman in a bench role unless Juwan Howard goes all crazy with 5stars to fill out 2021.
With a frame that still needs additional muscle mass, it is likely he’s more of an off-ball shooter in his first year that has occasional wow moments of on-ball creativity.
After a year in the strength and conditioning program, Kobe probably becomes an impact rotational player in a starting role that is one of the better players in the B10. Bufkin’s combination of size/skill/versatility makes him compatible with nearly any lineup because he can play on or off the ball.
He’s going to be utilized from multiple spots on the court depending on the opposition, and he has the tools to be a number 1 or number 2 option for a good team. I think its a safe bet to assume Kobe averages double digit points as a sophomore (or RS freshman if the 5star party goes down).
This comparison is totally unfair to Bufkin for obvious reasons, but his movements and frame remind me of a smaller Jalen Rose. The skillset is somewhat different in large part because the game has evolved, but both are jumbo guards on offense that can knock down perimeter shots and run the offense while being deceptively athletic.
Kobe certainly has the size/length/skillset that is intriguing to the NBA. He’s 6’6 – 6’7 for official listing purposes (we all know official heights are fudged), with a great stroke from distance and good playmaking skills off the bounce. If he’s productive as a sophomore/RS freshman there is going to be some NBA interest based on his ceiling.
UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS
Michigan has at least 2 more available scholarships, with 3-4 more likely. Bufkin gives Juwan some flexibility because he can play up to 3 different positions on offense, so he can sort of swing for the stars on remaining guards/wings at this point. Regardless, we will absolutely take another big along with an on-ball guard. After that, we’re likely taking best available talent. Juwan Howard and staff are assembling quite the class, and its only going to get better.
Sounds like a great get. Keep goin Juwan - good work!
Great pickup! Howard is building a really solid, deep class of guys who have talent, can stick around for 2-4 years, and in turn will allow him to go swing for the fences on a few blue chip top-20 guys with the remaining spots.
Thanks for the write up, Matt. I think I can speak for most people on this blog and say that it's awesome to have an in house recruiting analyst who often times has more accurate and up to date info than the big recruiting services.
Do you think his slight lack of quickness is something that can be aided by Coach Sanderson? Sanderson seems to have a history of being able to help Michigan players increase their athleticism in their personal weak areas
I think you couple an off season in Camp Sanderson with his length and it'll start to come together defensively on those smaller quicker guards.
For the most part, athleticism is an inherent trait. Sure, you can improve, but for the most part you are what you are. But I don't think his agility will be an issue at Michigan at all. The athletes just aren't that good at the college level to be completely honest. His length and strides will allow him to get by his primary defender. I think strength/muscle mass may be more cause for concern, but he does finish through contact much better than one would think.
How would you compare his lateral movement ability to Franz? Seems like Franz is mostly serviceable there but his length makes up for it on the defensive end.
Definitely better than Franz in terms of his overall movement and agility. Franz can struggle as an isolation defender (not much of an issue at the college level based on lack of elite iso players), but is very good as an off-ball defender that can be disruptive with his length.
In talking with some NBA folks, that is a concern with Franz at the next level.
Welcome Kobe! Your commitment is starting to rebuild my trust in 247's crystal ball process. Really like the way this class is coming together.
I'm actually starting to come around the the 247 crystal balls with the new confidence levels. The confidence levels allow me to temper my expectations so I'm not let down as often
That graphic at the top is some spectacular work
I agree with the Rose comparisons, but the differences is being Rose was superior at attacking the rim, whereas Bufkin is the superior pull up shooter.
Kobe is working on getting Jaden Akins in the mix. Hopefully him being in the mix helps with the cause.
Is there any hope there with Akins? Most crystal balls have been going MSU and with Pierre Brooks and Bates being committed, plus with Akins going to "Ypsi Academy" it feels like a losing battle
Depth chart, look at the depth charts. That is what is keeping us in the mix there. That and style of play. Time will tell.
But doesn’t that cut both ways? If MSU takes a 3 person class and Michigan takes a 5-7 doesn’t that hurt our depth chart selling point?
Overall depth chart simply doesn't matter, its the positional depth chart that is influential. Michigan's guard depth for 21 literally reads Zeb Jackson. Bufkin is has enough size/versatility to play the 1-3 on offense so that shouldn't be an issue.
MSU on the other hand will have Hoggard, Christie, Loyer and perhaps Watts/Bates.
Yeah I meant with 7 guys you could potentially be one of 3 in your class playing your preferred position. Especially for a guy like Akins who probably wants to be running the offense.
I look at the Akin clips-and hope like crazy he comes to Michigan. His basketball IQ leaps off the screen even with the limitations of video clips-what an excellent, balanced combination of talent. I believe that he and Bufkin would make a very dynamic duo-both play wonderfully within themselves.
I am curious who in this class you see as a better running mate with Bufkin-who would be better than Akins?
Jalen Warley
Of the current offers at guard (Brizzi, Warley, Hardy), you'd obviously take Hardy. He's a no-brainer Day 1 producer at the college level that you don't need to develop. That said, he's probably a longshot.
I like Akins more than Warley and think he compliments Bufkin better. Warley is more wingish than guard, as he doesn't move particularly well and he's pushing 6'5 - 6'6 much like Bufkin. Warley isn't a guy that collapses the defense off the bounce, whereas Akins is.
Akins is certainly the best athlete of the group and will likely end up being the best defender. And I think he'd compliment Bufkin in that he could defend quicker guards.
Juwan is just a dagger on the recruiting trail...welcome Kobe
Jesus, 6'5 170? I'm like 6' 180 with an average to skinny build.
Chet Holmgrem is 7’ 190lbs
I'd say that's pretty average for a high schooler to seem extremely skinny, especially a basketball player with all of the running they do and probably limited weightlifting. He should be able to put on 10+ lbs easy in his first offseason on campus.
Glad to see there's more Colts/UM fans :)
Nate Bittle is a center ranked #9 overall and put Michigan in his top five schools. He's listed at 6'10", 175lbs.
Holy shit
But they are still growing. They'll do that a lot as soon as they can start working out again and then get to college and eat off a real training table.
Woohoo! I love these interchangeable athletic multi-positional athletes. Juwan recruiting and developing these players for the NBA will bode well for our future classes.
DITR - smooth as silk could be great.
If you search some history on this page, I totally get to call an “I told you so” on this one. I think I called this 2 months ago.
Context on my snark: I am a GR Christian guy w relatives currently involved in the program. I played there myself more than 25 years ago.
Comment on the level of competition: in the 80s and 90s, GR Christian was perennially one of the best programs in the west half of the state, playing the best competition available. We dipped a little in to east side competition. I played Pershing twice, including outscoring Willie Mitchell our senior years. Ok fine, we doubled him and one of his teammates went off for 26. After the City League disbanded, it is possible that the competition available trailed off a bit.
The Blue Mamba!
The Jalen Rose comp is interesting. While reading the evaluation I kept thinking of a taller Jordan Poole (high-level shooting, playmaking ability off the bounce, somewhat skinny frame, deceptive athleticism).
The left-handedness and general game reminded me of Michael Redd, who did more off the bounce than most people probably remember.
With Kobe and Isaiah on the team I hope we get Jalen as well. I just don’t understand why we cant add a Shaq and a Lebron. Imagine having to play that line up in college.
Drake Harris was also from GRC. Nice write up, Matt.
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