Hoops Hello: Eli Brooks
Michigan picked up a commitment from 2017 PA PG Eli Brooks, a guy who's blown up on the recruiting trail as of about two days ago, when he fielded Ohio State and Villanova offers. Brooks in fact called Villanova his "dream school" under two weeks ago, which… uh… I don't think that word means what you think it means. As a man who has a crystal ball vote I sympathize with the folks with a big red X next to their Nova projections.
Brooks was flying under the radar for a reason:
Brooks is a 6'1" point guard from Spring Grove, Pa. who plays for the non-sponsored Jersey Shore Warriors AAU program (alongside Villanova Football verbal Kyle McCloskey). Because the Warriors don't play on one of the major AAU circuits, Brooks has mostly flown under the radar. A strong AAU season has led to more offers, with Kansas State and NC State jumping in the mix recently.
City Of Basketball Love has a scouting report:
Strengths: In his area, Brooks is known as a scorer, putting up over 25 ppg for Spring Grove High School as a junior. However, his biggest strength is his ability to run a team. Brooks plays the game at a great pace. He never allows the defense to speed him up, and makes his teammates better every time he touches the floor. His jump shot has continued to improve and he his now knocking down outside shots on a consistent basis.
Weaknesses: One concern for Brooks heading into the summer will be his lateral quickness. During the high school season he is not challenged to defend on a consistent basis; it will be interesting to see during the AAU season how he keeps more athletic guards in front of him.
Overall: A super-stock riser over the last few months, Brooks' amazing 2016 summer was capped off with a commitment to Michigan. But he's proven he's a true high-major guard of late -- he's completely unflappable, limits his mistakes as well as anybody around, and is a knockdown shooter from all over the court who also makes his teammates better both in his style of play and his leadership. Has been a winner at every level and will only make a program better at the high-major level, even if he's not a four-year starter.
Ace will have a full Hello post tomorrow.
-- under the radar but a fast rising growth stock starting to blow up
-- knockdown shooter from all over the court
-- limits his mistakes
-- defense will be "interesting"
I'll take it. Welcome young Eli.
also describes a few recent basketball alums and is badly needed at all times.
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Welcome to Michigan!
Beilein and Donlon showing some recruiting chops on this one. Looking forward to the team's development over the next couple of years.
Looks good. I just wish his video wasn't sped up. It makes it impossible to get a good read on his quickness.
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Class of 2017 so plenty of room as you can see courtesy of umhoops
Obviously could still take a grad transfer, and even potentially a class of 2016 guy.
As for who fills those spots...
Is there even a 2016 guy still available?
Probably not anyone we would be happy depriving a class of 2017 recruit a spot for, but you never know.
Scholarships are limited, just like in Football. In basketball you have 13 instead of 85. UM is using 12 this upcoming season, and graduates 3 seniors, meaning 4 open scholarships for class of 2017 recruits.
By most accounts, UM is in the market for 1 pg, 1 sg, and 2 wings (since they brought in Teske and Davis this year- no posts). Jordan Poole is the sg. Brooks doesnt take a scholarship away from anyone really, he just takes the pg spot. If anything, he "takes" a spot from Nojel Eastern, who most thought was at the top of UM's pg wish list.
With the last two spots, UM will probably look to take a couple of wings (guys who can play the 3/4 in Beilein's system). Guys like Kyle Young, Jamal Cain, Kris Wilkes and Isiah Livers seem to currently be the best bets/more realisitic targets.
His highlight video shows him shooting free throws.
No wonder Beilein wanted him.
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I coach girls basketball in the same league Eli plays in, it is a very white area, but the white dudes aren't all under 6' tall. The league is very competitve. His school is typically a doormat and won their first league title since 1971 last year.
Yes indeedy!
Weird recruitment. I get that he was on a smaller AAU circuit, but is it common (even heard of) for a guy to be unranked, have a smattering of mid-major offers, and then suddenly summer of senior year get an offer from the damn national champions?
His HS league isn't exactly a college bball pipeline. Rural PA, 98% 6' - 6'5" white kids... Probably why his recruiting took off on the AAU circut this summer.
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There are some of them confused why their title isn't leading to better recruits. Sounds very much like a lot of people around here following the title game run a few years ago.
...that's because Villanova is in on some higher rated recruits (one of which I think they'll land). Eli is a good player, but he is not a blue chip recruit, so they can afford to lose out on these types of guys.
But you bring a good point. I would be curious how Villanova cashes in on their success. For some odd reason, we could not. I'm curious if the reason is coach-specific, or more systemic.
At the beginning of the video the mascot of the school he's going against is the Bubblers? Google says weed pipe, so I'm going to guess it's an old-timey steel production or coal mining reference.
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