Michigan just completed its biggest visit weekend of the year with no less than seven top 100 prospects in attendance to witness the Wolverines come out victorious over in-state rival Michigan State. With the commitment of Jace Howard last month, it appeared the 2020 class was down to a final spot. But Michigan’s hot pursuit of multiple 5 stars along with fluidity in the scholarship status of Jace may translate to two openings.

The Big Fish

Consensus top 10 prospect Greg Brown hit campus for an official visit and tells me the possibility of teaming up with the high-end talent Michigan has coming in has captured his attention. A quote from my full article below captures that sentiment:

“Its intriguing, it would be a scary sight playing with those guys.”

In speaking with Greg, I didn’t get the vibe Michigan has catapulted to the top of his list, but the Wolverines certainly made a positive impression.

Juwan Howard entered the mix late here, but we’ve seen him close that gap and win races on prior occasion. The Wolverines were once considered an afterthought here, but I firmly believe Coach Howard has given Brown something to seriously consider at minimum.

That said, I still believe Brown ends up elsewhere as of today. Greg’s father played football for the Longhorns and his uncle suited up for the UT basketball team. Considering Kentucky, Auburn and Memphis round out the remainder of his final 5, it seems too much to overcome in tandem with being an out of region prospect.

[Ed-Ace: After Matt wrote up this post, Sam Webb published a long article on Josh Christopher's recruitment. While UCLA and Mizzou are both mentioned as contenders, Michigan and Arizona State, where Christopher's older brother plays, get most of the focus. In an encouraging sign, the brother factor is downplayed, and location apparently isn't an obstacle. Meanwhile, we get the biggest "Juwan Howard knows everybody" flex yet:

“Juwan is just a great dude,” Christopher said. “I think he is a real selfless person. He doesn’t have to be like that. He’s just a great person. He knows the game, (and) has great connections I’m sure. I think he texted Michael Jordan one day I was with him. I was like, ‘whoa, this is Jordan!’ He is just a really good dude, he wants to win like I do, and he knows the game.”

I need the inevitable Brendan Quinn 3000-word feature on Juwan Howard's contact list to hit sooner rather than later.]

New 2021 Offer

Farmington guard Jaden Akins took an unofficial visit Saturday and left campus with a scholarship offer in the aftermath. I caught up with Akins shortly after and he is definitely enamored with the style of play under Juwan Howard:

“I like their style of play. The way they get up and down and how Coach Howard lets you go if you prove you can do it.”

Jaden wasn’t really a priority under the previous regime, but this was his third time on campus since the Summer and things are obviously picking up. 

Your author has been advocating for Akins the last 2 years at this point. He was criminally undervalued until recently, as he’s now just outside the top 100 to both Rivals and 247. I would’ve placed him at 75ish last Summer, and with his recent play this year that may be too low as well.

With his combination of size, length, perimeter shotmaking and quick twitch athleticism, Jaden has a chance to shoot up into the top 50 with a strong Spring on the EYBL circuit with The Family.

Yes, please. 

[Hit THE JUMP for a roundup on other visitors and the latest on Isaiah Todd.]

Elsewhere in 4 and 5 Star Land

Junior guard Kobe Bufkin was also in Ann Arbor for an unofficial visit. The Grand Rapids native grew up a Michigan fan and is flirting with a top 60 ranking per Rivals. 

While he didn’t leave with an offer, the talent is certainly there. At a legit 6’5, the lefty may be transitioning to more of a guard/wing, but he has an outstanding stroke from distance, good perimeter footwork, a solid handle and good playmaking ability.

He’s definitely one to look out for in the Spring. 

2021 Rodney Rice made the trip from the DMV-area for an unofficial. I viewed him live at the DC Hoopfest in December and came away impressed. 

Rodney is a physically developed guard that hits perimeter shots at a high level with good shot creating ability off the bounce that sits at #51 per 247. I sat next to his father for the better part of 3-4 hours and Rodney seems to have a good family situation. 

An unofficial visit from roughly 8 hours away suggests there is legit interest from the Rice camp, let’s see where things go in April during the live evaluation period. I’m scheduled to speak with Rodney and Poppa Rice today and will have more later.

2021 PG and five star Kennedy Chandler made it for an official as well. I have yet to see any quotes from him regarding the visit and information on how the visit went is scant. 

Sophomore forward Colin Smith came all the way from Dallas for his unofficial. Ranked in the early top 60 for Rivals, he has the look of a skilled combo-forward that can hit shots from the perimeter and put the ball on the floor. 

He made it Michigan’s elite camp in August, so the interest level is legit here.

2020 commits Hunter Dickinson and Jace Howard made their way back to campus and were no doubt delighted at the outcome. 

Finally, I’ve spoken with some of our 2020 commits and they’re inclined to believe that Isaiah Todd will indeed suit up for the Michigan Wolverines next year. Things are obviously fluid, but this is better than hearing the alternative. 

[Ed-Ace: Another late addition to the post: the father of 6'6" 2021 wing Pierre Brooks out of Detroit Douglass Academy talked to 247's Brian Snow about his son's recruitment, where Michigan is in contention with MSU, Xavier, and Arizona State, among others:

“Michigan was a really big offer for him,” said Brooks Sr. “He was Juwan Howard’s first offer in the state of Michigan in 2021, and it might have been his first offer to a Michigan kid overall, and that is a big deal.”

Brooks Sr. continued about the Wolverines, “Juwan and I are practically the same age, so I am familiar with the Fab Five and followed his career. I like the fact that he’s a player’s coach. He has a connection with the NBA which is a plus, and their style of play is good. He lets the guys play their game and have freedom.”

Brooks is currently the #120 player on the composite but Snow says he'll probably move up to around 75th when 247 (which has him at #126 in their own rankings) does their next update.]

Other Local Visitors

Mt. Clemens sophomore Javaughn Hannah took an unofficial visit Saturday, his fifth time since the Summer. 

2022 Javaughn Hannah will be on campus in Ann Arbor this Saturday for an unofficial visit to Michigan as the Wolverines host conference foe Michigan State.

The sophomore guard is fresh off a 60 point game, setting a new record at Mt Clemens HS for points in a single game. pic.twitter.com/tusSeGAwpj

— Endless Motor Sports (@endless_motor) February 6, 2020

Javaughn recently dropped 60 points for the Bathers, breaking the single game scoring record for Mt. Clemens. Hannah is most definitely interested in the Wolverines and will no doubt be a top 100 prospect in the coming year. He already holds offers from DePaul, Texas A&M and Washington State.

Expect him to blow-up on the 16u EYBL circuit running with Bates Fundamentals this Summer.

2021 Legend Geeter of River Rouge High School was in attendance for the game as well. He’s a 6’7 Forward with good footwork on the block, a tough rebounder and some nice passing ability but lacks the ability to space the floor from the perimeter at this stage of his development. 

Geeter has been at multiple games this year, but I don’t necessarily think things are serious just yet. With a name like that, he’s going places regardless of whether Michigan decides to ramp up pursuit. 

Detroit King sophomore Chansey Willis was present Saturday as well. He’s a huge Michigan fan and is relatively transparent about it. A lead guard that can really shoot the ball, he’ll probably have to grow a bit before the staff gets serious here.