BBall Recruiting - Update with 2020 EM 5* Jabri Abdur-Rahim
This is about the strongest endorsement you can get from a prospect without downright naming Michigan his leader. Having watched Jabri live this weekend, I can only hope the staff is able to secure his commitment. Absolutely perfect fit for Michigan and the staff has him as the #1 target for 2020 without a doubt.
great stuff as always Matt, love this kid's game, hope we can land him
This would be an Iggy level get imo.
Great update. Solid all around game. Please let things work out with a top target.
Do you think he has the athleticism to consistently get to the basket on his own at the next level? Or is he more an ability to get to the rim based on his threat at a shooter (P&R and attacking closeouts)?
Jabri isn't likely to be a high-volume isolation guy at the next level but will definitely be able to get in the paint against 4s and off ball-screen action. He's the perfect fit in the sense that he's likely a day 1 contributor that isn't a viable one and done.......much like Nimari Burnett. Those are the type of guys you win consistently with at the college level. Virginia is a great blueprint to follow.
Yes please.
Thanks for the update, Matt. Any relation to Shareef Abdur Rahim?
Yes, Shareef is his father. All the boxes seemed to be checked on this one, son of former NBA player, good family (Mom is an attorney), skillset fits perfectly.
April 30th, 2019 at 12:27 PM ^
I always got Shareef and that dude that used to be Chris Jackson confused. Upon google, didn't realize that Abdur Rahim runs the G league now. The kid comes from intelligent stock, probably wants to play school. Good for M!
FWIW, I remember dad Shareef as having real interest in UM when he was picking, and he said that Cal’s Islamic studies center was what put them over the top. CAVEAT: I have the recall of a groundhog, so take it all with a grain . . .
School X is recruiting me the hardest is code for School X is my leader, isn't it? Nice that it's Michigan in this case.
April 30th, 2019 at 10:01 AM ^
While I can't speak on Jabri's behalf, that is often the case. In addition to that, Jabri's Mom retweets and likes nearly all of my Michigan related tweets with respect to Jabri. Think we're in a solid position as of right now based on my on-the-record and off-the-record dialogue.
April 30th, 2019 at 10:25 AM ^
Great work as usual, but... not for nothing, I think you should avoid reporting on off-the-record discussions.
April 30th, 2019 at 10:32 AM ^
Not to speak for Matt, but I wonder if this is more the common mistake of people using "off the record" when they actually mean "on background."
April 30th, 2019 at 10:42 AM ^
Thanks and agreed. I didn't actually report/convey any off the record information, just my personal opinion that we're in a decent position. Don't think that's much of a stretch based on his public statements for my piece.
April 30th, 2019 at 10:17 AM ^
Seems like the new assistants have really adjusted the recruiting model for Beilein.
April 30th, 2019 at 11:44 AM ^
I mean I think Yaklich has a bit, but I also think we've tried recruiting guys at this level for a while and the narrative that Beilein doesn't go after high profile guys is false. It's just that our recent success and the fact that people are starting to realize how great of a player developer Beilein is makes it so we're getting more interest from high profile guys
April 30th, 2019 at 12:04 PM ^
Agreed, and maybe with the feds eyeing the recruiting process in other places right now, we may have more of a shot than a couple of years ago. Maybe.
April 30th, 2019 at 12:38 PM ^
That's the thing - without the Fed's involvement, Beilein usually drops out of the race for these guys pretty early on, when it's apparent that a payday isn't coming. Combine Beilein's clear coaching advantage with the ongoing Fed indictments and trials that are bringing shame to recruits/families, and you get legit 5-star attention...
It also helps when the prospect you're recruiting has two high-achieving parents who are probably already on the well-to-do side and don't have much reason to expect side benefits.
April 30th, 2019 at 10:30 AM ^
Looks like a high IQ player-knows how to play the game. He is able to make space for himself in a variety of ways...really like how he makes/takes contact to finish around the basket.
April 30th, 2019 at 10:53 AM ^
Kansas has already offered - is there any risk that Duke or Kentucky jump in the pool? Or is he not quite the 1-and-done that they pull in?
April 30th, 2019 at 12:33 PM ^
Michigan has its best chance with recruits that have rich parents like this case where they have no need for extra benefits.
Yeah, we should just go after all sons of NBA players. The ones we've gotten have all worked out well. I would imagine we coulda got Pete Nance and Curry if we went after them, why didn't we go after them?!?
I think we recruited Nance
April 30th, 2019 at 10:56 AM ^
247 had him as a 5 star for a while then dropped him to #113. Any idea what's up with that? Looks like a great player though
April 30th, 2019 at 11:04 AM ^
I'm obviously a bit bias toward my own rankings, but beyond the top 30 or so prospects the mainstream sites just don't do a very good job of really keying in on prospects with any sort of volume in my opinion. Jalen Bridges is another example of a guy that is extremely undervalued. We all have bad evals (myself included), but there is simply no way a guy like Jabri is the 113th best prospect in a class as weak as 2020.
April 30th, 2019 at 11:47 AM ^
Thanks for your take, Matt. Just based off a quick eye test, he looks to be at least a ~ top 50 player
April 30th, 2019 at 12:01 PM ^
I really appreciate your analysis, Matt! Thanks! One complaint, it's cruel to get my hopes this high for a top level recruit.
April 30th, 2019 at 12:03 PM ^
Would be a perfect fit!! Go Blue!!
April 30th, 2019 at 12:53 PM ^
Get him here
Get him here
David Ojabo's high school btw