Michigan basketball has reached out to and is setting up visit with Utah Vallley C Fardaws Aimaq
Aimaq is a junior big man for the Utah Valley Wolverines who averaged 18.9 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.3 BPG on .49/.43/.72 shooting in the WAC. He took 1.4 3-pointers per game for context. Could be a good option to bolster our front court depth this upcoming season with Diabate and Dickinson both potentially leaving
Wow- looked at his stats- those are some really good numbers.
They also beat BYU during the season and he had 24 points and 22 boards. His three point percentage is great considering that he shoots threes relatively frequently; it's not one of those misleading percentages- 2/3 or something on the year lol.
Would be an outstanding pickup IMO.
His 2 pt % of 48 is really low for a big guy in a small conference, although he takes more "far 2s" than "close 2s" per Torvik.
His 4% block rate is also really low in a small conference so not a rim protector. But a great rebounder and good distance shooter (solid FT shooter as well).
Seems like a poor man's Dickinson in terms of style as not much of an athlete but a big body and solid shooter.
His highlights look nice (of course bc they're highlights).
Good. I mentioned him in the Traore thread yesterday as someone I was hoping we would go after in the portal. This is the kind of talent you need to pair with Diabate and/or Reed.
it is foreordained. how do i know?
his team is the utah valley wolverines.
But there are wolverines native to the Utah Valley. Aren’t there?
Looks like an A++ rebounder and capable finisher / shooter. I think the idea is that he could be a nice depth piece - maybe start and play 20-25 min if we lose Dickinson and Diabate. I think he would be much more of a role player for us which is what we need. I wonder if it helps that Utah Valley is also the Wolverines.
if you try to sell the number 1 transfer portal player he can come to Michigan and be a role player I am guessing you are probably not getting him with that recruiting pitch
I think our pitch starts with, there are no guarantees in the world but:
1. We have been to the sweet 16 five years in a row - if you want to experience big time March basketball, there are not many places that have had that sustained success.
2. You will get great big man coaching.
3. There are significant big man minutes to be had (assuming Dickinson leaves). You have the ability to take them and make us a better team. We believe in you, but how big a role you end up playing is ultimately on you. We are going to give you the tools and the opportunity.
Great pitch. I'm only 5'11", but I'm ready to sign...
5’ 11”, but you identify as a 7 footer. Now get out there and dominate the paint!
Well for starters, I am not trying to sell him on coming to Michigan. I'm responding to a forum post about him.
A pitch should sound a lot like Fish On A Hook's post below.
I am trying to be realistic about what we can expect from him on our team if he chooses to join. There's not a large track record of players up transferring to high, high-major programs and becoming a star right away. Simmons, Smith, and Jones are the UM examples. Tyson Walker at MSU. OBanner at TTU this year. All of those players went from go-to scorers / stars on their original teams to fitting into their roles on the next team.
March 24th, 2022 at 11:28 AM ^
I would argue that our biggest problem this year has been that we seem to have a team full of role players and no one to take over the game consistently. Dickinson is a star but he doesn't have the ball in his hands. If this year's freshmen take a year 2 leap to match their recruiting rankings then I'm on board with your assessment but based on what we've seen we can't expect that degree of rapid development. Diabate should definitely stay. Go make your money blah blah blah but with his size and athleticism he could be a top 5 pick with more refinement.
He's not transferring anywhere to be a "role player". He'll want to start and play major minutes.
Starting and playing major minutes does not mean you're not a role player. Eli was a tremendous role player the last couple years while playing 35 min/game. He wasn't asked to create, didn't monopolize possessions, and fit into his role.
6'11 and 250. . Also he's Canadian and we have a decent history with Canadian ballers. Hopefully Caleb can help sell him here! I think every program will be going after him!
He is Canadian, but from the other side of Canada (Vancouver). Proximity-wise, Gonzaga has an advantage
March 24th, 2022 at 10:31 AM ^
Not really. Gonzaga's in the middle of the Eastern Washington desert. I don't even see a direct flight from Spokane to Vancouver. In terms of hassle it might as well be Cheboygan.
In light of recent Hunter Dickinson comments:
Cheboygan >>> Sheboygan
March 24th, 2022 at 12:44 PM ^
Juwan: “Ann Arbor has TWO Tim Horton’s and you can drive to Canada from here in 45 minutes. Welcome aboard!”
The Tim Horton’s thing… big angle as there isn’t a single one in all of Washington State. Much to my disappointment.
Canada much like San Marino is a tiny country where everyone knows each other. You've nailed it
he's supposed to be the top dude in the portal at this point. i like this. can we get him and a shooter? just a shooter. not all things. just a shooter.
Him and Sessoms would be nice
Yeah competition is going to be tough. I think on twitter someone said 40 teams have already reached out to him. Including Maryland, Iowa, MSU.
Also his nickname is Big Maple
March 24th, 2022 at 10:44 AM ^
So he will release the Sap come
March ?
This dude seems really good and I hope that they get him, but I am kinda discouraged by them reaching out to a big man. Means they must think either one or both of Dickinson and Diabete are gone after this year.
I have been holding onto hope that both of them would stay around after seeing limited NBA interest
I thought the same thing when I read the thread title. The chances of Dickinson and Diabate returning next year are slim. But I can still hope.
Didn't Dickinson literally say he was only coming back for one more season last year?
March 24th, 2022 at 10:32 AM ^
Yeah, after he declared he was coming back he gave several quotes including
“I spent a lot of nights thinking about this decision and I just felt that coming back, doing one more year was the safest approach for me.”
so I'm not sure where the recent optimism that Hunter will come back for another year is coming from. The reservations NBA teams have about his game translating to that level won't change with another year of college, and Hunter already turned 21 in November. I have to assume the coaches plan on him leaving and that scholarship spot being an open one they're looking to fill.
March 24th, 2022 at 12:09 PM ^
But there is more recent talk that he's reconsidering. NIL could be a big factor.
Pretty sure the entire starting 5 is gone. Dickinson, Diabate and Houstan will test the waters. They will develop more in the G League and make some money. Brooks is out of eligibility. Jones, I believe, technically has a covid year left, but I think he goes to play pro somewhere.
March 24th, 2022 at 10:55 AM ^
What is the difference between G league money and NIL money for these guys? Are we thinking all of them get drafted in the first round, second round, or not at all? Right now, I don’t see Dickinson or Houstan getting drafted by NBA.
March 24th, 2022 at 11:42 AM ^
Well in addition to the money they don't have to go to school and don't have any limits on how much they can be coached or practice.
I don't think Houstan is gone and know nothing about Diabate but there are reasons to go pro even if the money is equal.
Also Houstan and Diabate are international so they might not be able to benefit from NLI
March 24th, 2022 at 12:13 PM ^
OTOH, another factor is that G League guys toil in anonymity while college stars get a ton of attention.
I just can't imagine Houstan leaving. He is on no one's draft boards and itsn't remotely ready. That doesn't always stop guys from going, but that would surprise me if he did. Moussa and Hunter are much more likely to go.
March 24th, 2022 at 10:08 AM ^
I don't think this really means anything for Diabate honestly. Diabate is more of a 4 who can occasionally play the 5 and regardless of his decision, we still need another center as freshman Tarris Reed will be the only other one on the roster
March 24th, 2022 at 10:34 AM ^
That's a great point. Let's just hope only 1 is gone.
March 24th, 2022 at 11:40 AM ^
Diabate isn't a 5 and I would expect Dickinson to be gone
Diabate is 100% a 5 at the college level. It’s his natural fit
Yes, and Matt EM who is way better at this than any of us thinks he's a 5 even in the NBA. That's how badly he's out of position right now.
Dickinson is not coming back. Which means they need another big.
If HD gets $1M in NIL, he’ll come back.
This would be a great depth piece, Im sure he wants to start but thats something you can certainly earn. Bench points were critical last season...and they will be moving forward.
This dude isn't transferring to be a "depth piece". He's only going to go somewhere to be the starter.
Nice stats. He could well benefit from time with the Michigan staff-a lot of room for development here. It would seem as though there could be some good mutual benefit here.
Accounting for the incredible athletic potential, am I the only one who thinks Diabate is far from ready to turn pro and needs another year of college ball?
March 24th, 2022 at 10:04 AM ^
Sure but it does not matter what we all think.
March 24th, 2022 at 10:04 AM ^
I agree with this....as do most of the people who put together mock drafts.
Not sure why so many people think Diabate is going to leave (or should leave)...even though he isn't likely to get drafted.
So many players show tremendous progress from their freshman to sophomore years. Diabate needs that extra year. He could play himself in to the lottery.
Hunter, to me, is a different case. Will another year in college really allow him to show any great improvement? Probably not. He is what he is at this point...and I wouldn't blame him for moving on.