Michigan’s 2020 recruiting efforts came to a grinding halt when former coach John Beilein s departed, then kickstarted again over the past six weeks as the new staff hit the road and began pursuing targets.
To a certain degree, things have become clearer after the past four days, the second evaluation period for grassroots basketball. The biggest event was the Nike EYBL Peach Jam in North Augusta, South Carolina, which drew Michigan head coach Juwan Howard and assistant coaches Saddi Washington, Phil Martelli and Howard Eisley.
Michigan’s staff also attended the Adidas Gauntlet Summer Championships in Birmingham, Alabama, the Under Armour Finals in Atlanta and the Peach Jam Invitational, comprised of teams that didn’t qualify for Peach Jam.
It’s not entirely clear what Michigan’s whole recruiting board looks like. It’s also likely to change, as prospects narrow lists in the near future — and perhaps as new targets emerge during the evaluation period.
Still, based on what recruits have said, who the staff watched and information from within the program https://www.kentuckywildcatscenter.com/malik-monk-jersey-c-5.html, here’s a best guess at U M’s 2020 recruiting board.
Kessler, a 5 star, was a priority for the previous staff, and appears to be the top target for Michigan’s new staff. After attending the Peach Jam on Wednesday to watch his sons, Howard traveled to Birmingham so he could watch Kessler at the official start of the July live period.
That move speaks volumes, especially when many high major head coaches were in North Augusta. And when Howard returned to the Peach Jam for Friday’s games, assistant coach Saddi Washington went to Birmingham to watch Kessler. Michigan’s prioritization of Kessler makes sense Tai Wynyard Jersey, considering starting center Jon Teske is a senior.
• Josh Christopher, G Bellflower, California Christopher received Howard’s first offer as head coach. It’s unclear how much of a factor U M is in the 5 star s recruitment, which has been contested for quite some time. It appears the Wolverines would have ground to make up after jumping into the fray late https://www.kentuckywildcatscenter.com/jonny-david-jersey-c-6.html, but it s clear Michigan has piqued his interest.
Christopher was hoping to land an offer once Howard was hired, and he has received overtures from Jace Howard, one of Howard s sons, as well. Kentucky — his “dream school” — lurks, as the Wildcats have yet to offer but intently watched Christopher at the Peach Jam. Washington watched Christopher on Thursday, and Howard watched him Friday against Nimari Burnett.
• Nimari Burnett, G Napa, California Burnett, a native Chicagoan, visited U M unofficially in February for Michigan’s game against Michigan State and has a relatively close relationship with Howard, which is a solid start in what is seemingly a wide open recruitment for the 5 star. Burnett is close to both Jace and Jett Howard. The Wolverines should be able to get him back on campus at some point.
Assistant Phil Martelli watched Burnett on Thursday, then Howard saw him twice Friday. Howard, Martelli and Eisley all watched Burnett in Sunday s Peach Jam final against Mokan Elite. Some believe Burnett’s best fit is playing for Howard at Michigan. The Wolverines will have to convince him of that.
• Hunter Dickinson, C Hyattsville, Maryland Dickinson received an offer from Michigan on June 26 and has been recruited hard by the Wolverines ever since. Howard traveled to D.C. and saw the 4 star play in late June. He also watched him Friday at Peach Jam, along with Washington and Martelli.
Dickinson likes Howard’s background as a former big man and clearly is listening to Howard’s pitch. He says he has set up a visit to Ann Arbor, although the exact date is unclear. Other schools like Purdue have been on him much longer.
More Michigan s Juwan Howard prioritizing 4 star center Hunter Dickinson
• Jaden Springer, G Charlotte, North Carolina Michigan’s recruitment of the 5 star was mostly quiet until Springer surprisingly included the Wolverines in his top 5 after leaving them out of his top 11. He’s another prospect who talks with Howard’s sons. He also has a loose connection to Martelli — Springer’s cousin, NBA player DeAndre’ Bembry, played at Saint Joe’s under Martelli from 2013 16.
• Jalen Suggs, G Minneapolis Another 5 star who has heard plenty from Michigan this summer. Suggs, also a high level football recruit, has a solid relationship with Howard, who appears to have made him a priority in 2020. Still, this is another recruitment that was pretty far along before Howard’s hiring. Gonzaga, Iowa State and Marquette will get official visits from the 5 star. The Wolverines may need to get him on campus to have a real shot https://www.kentuckywildcatscenter.com/mychal-mulder-jersey-c-7.html, too.
More Where Iowa State, Iowa stand in the race for blue chip PG Jalen Suggs
• Scottie Barnes, F Fort Lauderdale, Florida Barnes is an enigma. Although he’s listed at 6 feet 8, the 5 star can run the point and is an effective distributor in the half court. He can defend multiple positions, rebounds well and can get to the rim against most defenders. He has been heavily recruited for a long time — which is why Michigan is a longshot, despite his close bond with Howard and Howard’s sons, who played with him this past season at University School. The Wolverines are trying, though, and multiple staffers watched him play at the Peach Jam.
More 5 star wing Scottie Barnes very close to Michigan s Juwan Howard
• Terrance Williams, F Washington, DC Multiple staffers saw Dickinson at Peach Jam. In doing so, they got a good look at Williams, a 6 foot 6, 215 pound forward ranked as a 4 star prospect and the No. 82 overall recruit, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Michigan s staff must ve liked what they saw, because Williams became U M s first offer after the June live period. He showed off his scoring ability at Peach Jam, averaging 16.8 points over five games on 49.1 percent shooting.
• Lance Ware, F Burlington, New Jersey Is he power forward or center? That’s the biggest question for this 4 star at the next level. Some inside the program see him as a “junkyard dog 4 ” who can score down low, grab rebounds and defend the rim. The Wolverines are taking a long, hard look at Ware, who has yet to receive an offer. Martelli saw him Thursday and Howard watched on Friday.
If U M wants to stay in this one, it may have to jump in soon — Ware was one of the breakout players at Peach Jam, reportedly picking up offers from Louisville and Oregon on Friday, and he said he’ll narrow his list soon. |
