Recruiting

Class of 2014 Michigan Recruiting Board

John Beilein will extend his first batch of scholarship offers to class of 2014 prospects on June 15th. A year ago, the proverbial offer day netted a pair of commitments (Mark Donnal and Austin Hatch) and two other prospects who received offers on June 15th committed a month and a half later. The early 2013 commitments have provided Beilein and his staff with ample opportunity to survey the field of 2014 prospects and a number have risen to the forefront of the Wolverine recruiting radar. Who will receive offers next Friday? Will they commit? In preparation of the big day we take a look at Michigan’s recruiting board to date.

You can find the entire hot board after the jump, or navigate to a specific player with the index below.

Guards Wings Bigs
Devin Booker Keita Bates-Diop Sean O’Mara
Drake Harris Trevon Bluiett Tyler Wideman
Darreon Reddick Jae’Sean Tate Cliff Alexander
Peyton Allen Sean Sellers Kevon Looney
Bryant McIntosh Vincent Edwards
Darius Austin

Guards

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Devin Booker
Guard, 6-4, 180-pounds, Moss Point (MS), Alabama Challenge
ESPN: (24th, 4-star); Rivals: (31st, 4-star); Scout: (29th, 4-star)
Schools: Michigan, Missouri, Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, and Ole Miss.
Mutual Interest: High
Notes: Michigan coaches watched every EYBL game that Booker played this April. Has visited Ann Arbor four times including a football game, basketball win over Ohio State, camp last summer and most recently an unofficial visit on June 1st. All but a sure thing to receive a Wolverine offer on June 15th. Moved from Grand Rapids to Mississippi to live with his father, a former All-American at Missouri.
Scouting: 6-foot-4 guard known for his shooting and all around advanced offensive game. Improving his ability to attack the basket, projects as a perfect combo guard in the Michigan offense.
Coverage: Visit Recap (OSU Game), EYBL Hampton, EYBL Minnesota

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Drake Harris
Shooting Guard, 6-4, 180 pounds, Grand Rapids Christian/Meanstreets
ESPN: (3-star); Rivals: (46th, 4-star);Scout: (65th, 4-star)
Schools: Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Illinois, Ohio State and Florida State.
Mutual Interest: Medium-High
Scouting: 6-4 guard who’s an athletic slasher. He’s a good scorer with the ability to create his own offense. He is a phenomenal rebounding guard, and has range from anywhere on the court. Harris has a high motor, and is extremely smart with and without the basketball.
Notes: Harris is arguably the top 2014 basketball prospect in Michigan. U-M and MSU coaches have had their eye on Harris since he was a freshman in high school. Which direction his recruitment moves in may hinge on what sport he chooses. Frequent visitor to both in-state schools..
Coverage: Interview at Nike Spring Showdown, Scouting at Nike Spring Showdown

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Darreon Reddick
Point Guard, 6-3, 200 pounds, Belleville East (IL), SW Illinois Jets
ESPN: (NR); Rivals: (NR) Scout: (NR, 2-star)
Schools: Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Xavier.
Mutual Interest: Medium
Notes: Reddick has an offer from DePaul. He’s visited Michigan’s Elite Camp, and plans to visit Ann Arbor for the Elite camp this summer, and for a football game this fall. He said his whole family is from Michigan and he sees himself fitting into Michigan’s system.
Scouting: 6-3 point guard with incredible ball skills. Easily gets out on fast break and has good awareness around the rim. Reddick is a good penetrator and great passer, and can create his own shot as well. He’s long, athletic and active defensively and is a very good rebounding guard.
Coverage: Spring Showdown Video & Quotes, Super 60 Video & Quotes

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Bryant McIntosh
Point Guard, 6-2, 165 pounds, Greensburg (IN), Eric Gordon All-Stars
ESPN: (50th, 4-star) Rivals: (NR) Scout: (NR, 2-star)
Schools: Michigan, Indiana, Purdue, Louisville
Mutual Interest: Medium
Notes: Visited Michigan multiple times, upcoming unofficial to Indiana and expected to camp in Ann Arbor.
Scouting: McIntosh is a tough guard who is very smart, and simply knows how to play the game. He’s a good decision maker, and is a pass-first guard, always looking to find teammates. He can knock down the outside shot, but needs to improve his strength and consistency.
Coverage: Video at Indy Ball

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Peyton Allen
Shooting Guard, 6-4, 175 pounds, Glenwood (IL), SW Illinois Jets
ESPN: (NR); Rivals: (NR) Scout: (NR, 2-star)
Schools: Michigan, Mississippi State, Auburn, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Xavier, Illinois, Oklahoma State, Florida.
Mutual Interest: Medium
Scouting: 6-4 guard who’s got unlimited range. Allen is an underrated 2014 recruit who is a devastating shooter, but can also put the ball of the floor and penetrate. He can catch and shoot, or create his own shot. He has a very quick release, and is very streaky. He needs to improve his strength and defensive rebounding.
Notes: Allen held offers from Bradley and Oklahoma State, and after his performance at the Nike Spring Showdown in Merrilville, Ind. he added an offer from Iowa. He’s visited Ann Arbor for football games, and College Practice camp and is expected back for camp this June.
He said his family has gotten to know the Michigan staff really well. H
Coverage: Scouting Video & Quotes at Nike Spring Showdown

Additional Names to Follow: Marqywell Jackson (Crockett), Javon Bess (Pickerington Central, Ohio), Justin Bibbs (Chaminade-Julienne, Ohio), Grant Evans (Wapahani, Ind.), CJ Rivers (Cahokia, Ill.)

Wings

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Keita Bates-Diop
Wing, 6-7, 193 pounds, University (IL), Illinois Wolves
ESPN: (45th, 4-star) Rivals: (39th, 4-star) Scout: (40th, 4-star)
Schools: Michigan, Illinois, Purdue, Northwestern, DePaul, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Stanford.
Mutual Interest: High
Notes: Bates-Diop has received offers from Purdue, Northwestern Wisconsin, and DePaul. He’s visited Ann Arbor three times, for Michigan’s Elite Camp, a football game and a basketball game, and said he plans on attending Michigan’s Elite Camp again this summer. It’s very likely, Bates-Diop will receive a U-M offer on June 15.
Scouting: 6-7 combo forward who’s very versatile. He’s quick and very long and uses his size and speed very well. He can hit from outside, but also has good post moves, and rebounding ability. He needs to gain weight, and add strength, but has unlimited potential.
Coverage: Spiece Video & Quotes, Spring Showdown Video & Quotes

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Trevon Bluiett
Guard, 6-5, 185 pounds, Park Tudor (IN)/Spiece Indy Heat
ESPN: (3 star); Rivals: (4-star, 47th);Scout: (4-star, 68th)
Schools: Butler, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, IUPUI, Kansas State, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon State, Purdue, Texas, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Xavier
Mutual Interest: Medium-High
Scouting: Bluiett is not an overwhelming athlete but he’s the complete package scoring the ball from the wing. He can score inside and outside beyond the three point line. He has two state titles in as many years with Park Tudor and has put up big numbers on the EYBL circuit with Spiece Indy Heat.
Notes: Lengthy list of scholarship offers and all but certain to receive an offer from John Beilen on June 15th. Home state program Indiana has been on him strong for a long time while Kansas State, Florida and Illinois are some more recent offers.
Coverage: Spiece Scouting Video, HS Video, Fr. HS Video

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Sean Sellers
Wing, 6-6, 175 pounds, Greensburg (IN), Eric Gordon All-Stars
ESPN: NR; Scout: NR; Rivals: NR
Schools: Michigan, Indiana, Purdue, Butler, New Mexico, Indiana State
Mutual Interest: Medium-High
Notes: Has visited Michigan numerous times, including for last summer’s College Practice Camp. State ranked track athlete in the high jump at Greensburg, recently took unofficial to Nebraska.
Scouting: Excellent shooter with good court awareness who can play inside or on the perimeter. Improving his strength and rebounding, projects as a wing.
Coverage: Video Q&A, Scouting @ Spiece, IndyBall Scouting Video

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Jae’Sean Tate
Forward, 6-5, 205 pounds, Pickerington Central (OH), All-Ohio Red
ESPN: (54th, 4-star); Scout: NR; Rivals: NR
Schools: Akron, Kent State, Iowa, Dayton, Michigan, Purdue
Mutual interest: Medium-High
Notes: Coached by Benji Burke, father of Michigan point guard Trey Burke, Recruited by Bacari Alexander, who has been to plenty of his games.
Scouting: Tweener prospect with a well-developed post game and strong finishing moves. Improving midrange jumper and all-around perimeter game. Attack mode player who is a combo forward with great strength and aggression, also a touted football player.
Coverage: Spiece Video & Feature, Scouting @ Spiece

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Darius Austin
Wing, 6-5, 205 pounds, Cahokia (IL), SW Illinois Jets
ESPN: (NR); Rivals: (NR) Scout: (NR, 3-star)
Schools: Cincinnati, Michigan, Butler, Xavier, DePaul, Illinois, Mizzouri, Oklahoma, Iowa, Michigan State, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, St. Louis University.
Mutual Interest: Medium
Notes: Austin has offers from DePaul, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and St. Louis University. Has been in close contact with LaVall Jordan, and said he’ll fit well in Michigan’s system. Models his game after Tim Hardaway Jr.
Scouting: 6-5 guard who primarily plays off the ball, but can handle the ball as well. Good penetrator and extremely active on offensive and defensive glass. Needs to improve decision making, but can play inside and out, and can create opportunities for himself.
Coverage: Spring Showdown Video & Quotes

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Vincent Edwards
Forward, 6-7, 210 pounds, Middletown (OH), King James Shooting Stars
ESPN: NR; Scout: 57th, 4-star; Rivals: 4-star
Schools: Dayton, Purdue, Xavier, Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, West Virginia, Tennessee
Mutual Interest: Medium
Notes: Also drawing interest as a football player, Purdue has been recruiting him the hardest, recruited by Lavall Jordan
Scouting: Big-time athlete with a wide range of skills on both the perimeter and in the post; strong finisher with above-average ballhandling and a developing jumpshot.
Coverage: King James Video, Discussing Michigan Interest

Additional Names to Follow: Justin Jackson (HCYA, Tex.) Aaron Brennan (Guerin Catholic, Ind.), Jamal Poplar (Willow Run), Perry Poindexter (North Central, Ind.), Amanze Egekeze (Huntley, Ill.)

Bigs

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Sean O’Mara
Center, 6-9, 240 pounds, Benet Academy/IBA Select
ESPN: (3 star, #7 Center); Rivals: (N/R);Scout: (NR, 2-star)
Schools: Illinois, Purdue, Michigan, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Iowa
Mutual Interest: Medium-High
Scouting: Self described low post player with a face up game, O’Mara has solid skills with his back to the basket and also shows the ability to knock down 10 to 15-foot jumpers consistently. He needs to work on his quickness and athleticism as his game and rebounding should improve as he runs the floor more efficiently.
Notes: One of the few true big men on Michigan’s 2014 board, O’Mara has drawn Wolverine interest for quite some time and continues to show steady improvement. Michigan, Purdue and Illinois appear to be the top schools on his radar.
Coverage: Intro: Sean O’Mara, Feature & Video at King James

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Tyler Wideman
Forward, 6-7, 240 pounds, Lake Central (IN), Meanstreets
ESPN: 3-star, #13 PF; Scout: 3-star; Rivals: NR
Schools: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Xavier
Mutual Interest: Medium
Notes: Attended Michigan’s College Practice Camp last summer, played alongside Glenn Robinson III at Lake Central, was at the Michigan-Ohio State basketball game at the Crisler Center.
Scouting: Big body skilled at creating space in the post and finishing at the rim. Exceptional defensive rebounder with a developing post game and a jumpshot that is a work in progress. Needs to add more height to take his status to the next level.
Coverage: Scouting @ Spiece, Video vs Portage, Scouting at Michigan Camp ‘11

Cliff Alexander

Cliff Alexander
Center, 6-9, 240 pounds, Curie (IL)/D-Rose All-Stars
ESPN: (10th, 5-star); Rivals: (th8, 5-star); Scout: (9th, 5-star)
Schools: Michigan, Michigan State, DePaul, Florida State, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio State, Purdue, Tennessee, Wisconsin.
Mutual Interest: Low
Scouting: Alexander is a 6-foot-9 true center who caught everyone’s attention at the Nike Spring Showdown in Merrilville, Ind. when he shattered a backboard on a thunderous dunk. Alexander has played both U16 and U17 this spring, and shows much more aggressiveness with the U16’s. He is aggressive and uses his body well, but against U17’s, recently named MVP at Pangos All-American camp.
Notes: Alexander has received an offer from at least eight schools Michigan coaches have tried to get him on campus but the Wolverines don’t appear to be in his top group at this stage.
Coverage: Scouting at Nike Springdown, Broken Backboard

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Kevon Looney
Forward, 6-8, 185 pounds, Milwaukee Hamilton (WI), Milwaukee Running Rebels
ESPN: 17th, 5-star; Scout: 14th, 5-star; Rivals: 11th, 5-star
Schools: Marquette, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Georgetown, Michigan
Mutual interest: Low
Notes: Was invited to attend the Michigan-Ohio State football game but couldn’t make it, was named Player of the Year in Milwaukee’s City Conference as a sophomore.
Scouting: Long, athletic big man who is very comfortable on the perimeter, good shooter, ballhandler with an improving inside game. Runs the floor exceptionally well, capable of running the break.
Coverage: Scouting @ Adidas Spring Classic

Additional Names to Follow: Darohn Scott (Grand Rapids Christian)

Information that appears on school lists is collected from public reported information. School lists only denote reported interest, not offers. The board should not be considered a complete list of prospects being recruited and is not endorsed by the University of Michigan.

If there is a prospect we should consider adding, please drop us an email at umhoops@gmail.com.

Joe Stapleton and Josh Berenter contributed to this report.

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