On the first day that Michigan extends scholarship offers to rising juniors, Clarkston big man Taylor Currie received one and pledged to the Wolverines.
I'm excited to announce that I've committed to play at The University of Michigan! Thanks to God, My Family, and Coach Beilein! Go Blue 〽️〽️ pic.twitter.com/7u6cvCK07H
— Taylor Currie (@_swaggyt33) June 15, 2017
Currie is Michigan’s first commitment in the 2019 class.
Basics
Currie plays for Clarkston High School, where he started at center on last year’s state championship squad. He scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the state final in front of Michigan head coach John Beilein.
Currie transferred to Clarkston last year as he made the move from Ohio to Michigan. He still plays for All-Ohio Red on the summer grassroots circuit. He’s averaging 11.7 points and 8 rebounds per game on the Nike EYBL 16U circuit.
The four-star big man listed Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin as the three programs pursuing him most diligently when we spoke to him last month, with additional interest from Purdue and Iowa.
Rankings:
- Rivals: 3-star
- Scout: 4-star, 91st
- 247 Composite: 3-star, #149
Video
Scouting
Currie is known as a skilled big man who has shown the ability to comfortably finish and early potential stretch the floor with his jump shot. He finishes well around the basket and has had a handful of big performances this summer on the grassroots circuit including a game at Spiece where he knocked down five triples. He shows good rebounding numbers (8 per game in EYBL play) and appears to have a good motor. Here’s a rundown of various scouting reports over the last two years.
Bank Hoops after watching Currie at Spiece:
Taylor Currie 6-9 So All Ohio Red 16U (Clarkston): He’d left a favorable impression as the starting center on Clarkston’s state championship team, and did nothing but help his cause here particularly with a 33-point performance against the Family. Particularly with Romeo Weems in and out of the lineup and not 100 percent with cramps, the Family didn’t have anyone who could handle Currie’s post play scoring off either shoulder. He also made 3-of-4 three-pointers and handled his business on the glass, active and keeps the ball high. The best big in Michigan’s 2019 class, and easy to see the U-M, Wisconsin interest.
Currie had a solid outing for All Ohio Red in a tough loss Saturday evening. Currie showed his range with a three-point bucket, hit some from about 15 feet and finished a couple plays inside also. He had 15 points. 2019 F Taylor Currie of All Ohio Red was another who wrapped his weekend early but impressed while he was there. A high major impact talent with a nice ceiling, Currie is skilled and instinctive and he pairs that with size and feel to make for a highly intriguing Division 1 prospect.
Triple Double Prospects (2016):
Skilled big with good feet to run the floor and excellent length, Currie has a ton of upside as a high post-low post power forward who can make the mid-range shot or score around the rim. Has above average athleticism for his size and age and always plays with a good motor. As he continues to add strength and confidence, Currie could challenge to move even higher in the rankings.
Another big man that flashed a high ceiling, Currie looks to have a bright future. A long, athletic post, Currie can play above the rim on both ends of the floor. Curries will run the floor in transition. He loves to finish with a two-hand slam in traffic and is an imposing shot blocker defensively. Like most big men his age, it will take some time to develop a back-to-the-basket game, but the skills and IQ are there.
Fit & Outlook
Currie’s skill should fit naturally into Michigan’s offense and I think he projects as a center in Michigan’s offense. The Wolverine coaches have been comparing him to Moritz Wagner during the recruiting process and it is easy to see him adapting as a pick-and-pop big man at the next level.
The other big men who will be on the roster when Currie arrives — Austin Davis and Jon Teske — are more traditional bigs while Currie gives the Wolverines that additional dimension that Wagner added so successfully last season.
The early get in the class of 2019 should allow Michigan to continue its 2018 recruiting efforts on landing quality wings and forwards to fill some of the gaps from the two through four positions. The Wolverines have three scholarships remaining in the class of 2018, which could also carry over to 2019 if they aren’t used. Here’s an updated scholarship breakdown:
I’d expect the Wolverines to be judicious in how they extend additional 2019 offers other than some top targets, such as New Haven’s Romeo Weems, and use much of the July evaluation period and both the June and August elite camps, to help focus their approach in the class.
