Michigan basketball can’t afford to miss on this 5-star recruit in 2021
The Michigan basketball recruiting class needs this five-star recruit.
Juwan Howard already has a top-ranked recruiting class on his hands in only his second season of coaching Michigan basketball. The Wolverines finished his inaugural season last year with a 19-12 (10-10 Big Ten) record. While their ninth-place finish isn’t ideal, their 2020 class is loaded with top-tier talent.
It is headlined by DeMatha Catholic High School (Md.) Center Hunter Dickinson who will come in and replace Jon Teske at that position. The Wolverines were able to meet that roster need, secure a point guard in Zeb Jackson to backup Columbia transfer Mike Smith, land another shooting guard in Jace Howard, and get more power forward depth with the signing of Terrance Williams from Gonzaga College High School (D.C.). The Wolverines finished the 2020 recruiting cycle ranked 14th nationally and the best class in the Big Ten.
As far as the 2020 roster is concerned, Coach Howard’s son, Jace, is marked down as a small forward along with Franz Wagner who announced his return to Ann Arbor for his sophomore season back in April. I think Howard moves up to the two-guard spot with Adrien Nunez, the only other player at that position. If Wake Forest transfer Chaundee Brown doesn’t receive an eligibility waiver to play this season, Michigan should still be in good shape to have a better Big Ten finish in 2020.
Michigan basketball recruiting needs to focus on Jalen Warley.
The prospect that the Wolverines can’t afford to miss on in the 2021 class is Jalen Warley. They currently have the No. 39 class nationally and No. 10 class in the Big Ten. according to the 247Sports Team Rankings.
He is a 6-foot-4, 175-pound, combo guard out of Norristown, Pennsylvania, who will be a senior leader for the Westtown Moose. He is the No. 23 player in the country, the No. 3 combo guard and the best player in the state, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
Where Warley is his most dangerous is when he drives to the basket. He gets there relatively easily and if he misses the shot, he recovers and scores. He has a solid jumper; he can pull up from anywhere with his midrange game and he is an efficient perimeter shooter as well. He thrives on the pick and roll. That’s where he can hurt a defense. If he lands with Michigan basketball, Coach Howard is going to have a guy who can score at will out of that offensive sequence and find open teammates for lobs or back door passes.
He named Michigan as one of the finalists in his top 10 list. Maryland and Ohio State are competing for his services as well. He would be a huge get for Howard as the Wolverines received their first commitment for the 2021 class from four-star wing Isaiah Barnes.
Next. Recruiting predictions for every 5-star 2021 recruit. dark
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