Part II — Yesterday we did guards and wings; today, we talk about forwards and centers and get ProInsight.com and independent analyst Andrew Slater's take on many of the Michigan junior offers.
Slater: “He’s another hybrid guy. I think he very much projects as a modern stretch four because at 6-7-ish, that’s sort of his best way of getting on the court.
“He’s much more of a cerebral player, like a lot of the St. Mark’s guys. Michigan is in there, but his high school teammate, who he is incredibly close with, is at Stanford. The other one to watch is Miami.”
Our take — our E.J. Holland saw him in person recently, and it's clear Smith likes U-M (he's been here twice before). He's planning another Michigan visit soon. At the same time, Stanford could be tough to beat.
Slater: “He’s much more of a two/three than a power forward. He’s a strong, relatively skilled, powerful wing who can play either wing position. His parents both played professionally, and his father has trained him since birth, basically.
“I know he’s really looked heavily into the overseas option, specifically Spain for his son. I do think if he goes to college, Michigan would be a major player.”
Our take: Unlikely he plays college ball. The plan — for now — seems to be to make some money playing basketball as soon as possible.
Slater: “I was at USA tryouts when he made the team. It’s fair to say he’s one of those jack-of-all-trades, hybrid forwards. He’s very competitive. He needs to improve his skill level, not only to be a successful college player but also if he wants to get to the NBA level. His perimeter shot has got to become more consistent.
“He’s definitely a hybrid four, but if he continues to struggle to shoot, he’s going to be strictly a four.”
Our take: He loves Michigan, but Alabama and others are there, and he's got a lot to prove as a scorer this summer on the AAU circuit. He has a "committable offer" and was "on the clock" as of a few weeks ago, but is U-M isn't pushing for a pledge.
Slater: “He’s much more physically dominating than the others on this list. He can defend more from two through four. His upside is higher than some of the others, and while his motor can be high, it’s sporadic.
“I like his upside. If he was at Michigan, he would be a good fit from the standpoint that they’d be demanding of him and be able to develop his weakness.”
Our take: Walker is hit and miss when it comes to intensity. He played extremely well at the Geico Nationals on National TV, but can disappear. Some say he isn't as 'coachable' as he'll need to be at the next level. But there's no question he's a talent.
Slater: “He’s a mobile big who has the potential to be a quality or plus shot blocker and the versatility to be either a four or five. He can really run the court. Ultimately, in college, he’ll probably be better served being a five.
“That 12-to-15-footer jumper you have to be able to knock down if you’re a four man … it’s not great at this point. But he is legitimately being pursued as a possibility for Michigan.”
Our take: He really seems to want Michigan, recruiting them as much as U-M is recruiting him. The Wolverines have options, but they are watching him closely and obviously like him.
Slater: “He’s a traditional low post center with above average passing skills and court vision. Michigan seems interested in the prototype of [freshman center] Hunter Dickinson. He’s not as skilled as Hunter, but he does have some of those similar attributes in terms of that skill level and being able to see the court at a certain size.”
Our take: Clingan is a priority, and Michigan is in 'good shape' here. UConn is the sentimental favorite, but he grew up a Michigan fan and will visit. He might have a hard time saying no to being U-M's "next Hunter Dickinson."
Slater: “He’s the best big man in the country, and Michigan is in on him. I don’t think he’ll end up there. He’s looking at the G-League route, and the others to be cognizant of are Miami and UCLA.
“The Chris Webber comparison … he may be similar physically, but Webber was so much more skilled at the same stage, more cerebral and played with a higher motor.”
Our take: Very likely going the pro route, but he clearly likes Michigan, one of his nine finalists. He'd be a one-and-done.
"Juwan Howard is a great coach; I talk to Coach Phil Martelli on a constant basis and my old teammate Caleb Houstan is going there this fall," Duren told DEPreps. "Good style of play.”
Reed averaged 21.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.6 blocks per game and led Chaminade to a 22-2 record and seventh state semifinal appearance in school history. Many Big Ten schools, including Illinois and Indiana, had offered before Howard followed suit April 29.
“Before I commit, I need to take some visits. Because of Covid, it’s been difficult to go to campuses and talk to coaches face-to-face.”
“I am that four to five man that has the ability to create on the perimeter as well as dominate down low,” Reed said. “I play an inside out game, start to get my points down low and as the defense adjusts, I will adjust ... the mid post or outside on the wing. I’m comfortable shooting the three ball in transition or off ball screens.”
He is just getting started in his recruitment and open to considering all new offers.
Lively recently said Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke, Michigan, Penn State, and Ohio State were the schools recruiting him hardest. He already holds offers from the Tar Heels, Nittany Lions and Buckeyes and should pick up plenty more this summer after recently getting one from U-M.
Though he’s incredibly athletic, an explosive leaper and shot blocker, Lively is intent on expanding his game.
“I’ve been trying to show that I’m more than just a normal big man,” he said. “I’m trying to move the ball outside the three-point line, dribble the ball and even shoot it … trying to be more guard-like for the NBA game.”
Slater: “He’s another hybrid guy. I think he very much projects as a modern stretch four because at 6-7-ish, that’s sort of his best way of getting on the court.
“He’s much more of a cerebral player, like a lot of the St. Mark’s guys. Michigan is in there, but his high school teammate, who he is incredibly close with, is at Stanford. The other one to watch is Miami.”
Our take — our E.J. Holland saw him in person recently, and it's clear Smith likes U-M (he's been here twice before). He's planning another Michigan visit soon. At the same time, Stanford could be tough to beat.
Slater: “He’s much more of a two/three than a power forward. He’s a strong, relatively skilled, powerful wing who can play either wing position. His parents both played professionally, and his father has trained him since birth, basically.
“I know he’s really looked heavily into the overseas option, specifically Spain for his son. I do think if he goes to college, Michigan would be a major player.”
Our take: Unlikely he plays college ball. The plan — for now — seems to be to make some money playing basketball as soon as possible.
Slater: “I was at USA tryouts when he made the team. It’s fair to say he’s one of those jack-of-all-trades, hybrid forwards. He’s very competitive. He needs to improve his skill level, not only to be a successful college player but also if he wants to get to the NBA level. His perimeter shot has got to become more consistent.
“He’s definitely a hybrid four, but if he continues to struggle to shoot, he’s going to be strictly a four.”
Our take: He loves Michigan, but Alabama and others are there, and he's got a lot to prove as a scorer this summer on the AAU circuit. He has a "committable offer" and was "on the clock" as of a few weeks ago, but is U-M isn't pushing for a pledge.
Slater: “He’s much more physically dominating than the others on this list. He can defend more from two through four. His upside is higher than some of the others, and while his motor can be high, it’s sporadic.
“I like his upside. If he was at Michigan, he would be a good fit from the standpoint that they’d be demanding of him and be able to develop his weakness.”
Our take: Walker is hit and miss when it comes to intensity. He played extremely well at the Geico Nationals on National TV, but can disappear. Some say he isn't as 'coachable' as he'll need to be at the next level. But there's no question he's a talent.
Slater: “He’s a mobile big who has the potential to be a quality or plus shot blocker and the versatility to be either a four or five. He can really run the court. Ultimately, in college, he’ll probably be better served being a five.
“That 12-to-15-footer jumper you have to be able to knock down if you’re a four man … it’s not great at this point. But he is legitimately being pursued as a possibility for Michigan.”
Our take: He really seems to want Michigan, recruiting them as much as U-M is recruiting him. The Wolverines have options, but they are watching him closely and obviously like him.
Slater: “He’s a traditional low post center with above average passing skills and court vision. Michigan seems interested in the prototype of [freshman center] Hunter Dickinson. He’s not as skilled as Hunter, but he does have some of those similar attributes in terms of that skill level and being able to see the court at a certain size.”
Our take: Clingan is a priority, and Michigan is in 'good shape' here. UConn is the sentimental favorite, but he grew up a Michigan fan and will visit. He might have a hard time saying no to being U-M's "next Hunter Dickinson."
Slater: “He’s the best big man in the country, and Michigan is in on him. I don’t think he’ll end up there. He’s looking at the G-League route, and the others to be cognizant of are Miami and UCLA.
“The Chris Webber comparison … he may be similar physically, but Webber was so much more skilled at the same stage, more cerebral and played with a higher motor.”
Our take: Very likely going the pro route, but he clearly likes Michigan, one of his nine finalists. He'd be a one-and-done.
"Juwan Howard is a great coach; I talk to Coach Phil Martelli on a constant basis and my old teammate Caleb Houstan is going there this fall," Duren told DEPreps. "Good style of play.”
Reed averaged 21.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.6 blocks per game and led Chaminade to a 22-2 record and seventh state semifinal appearance in school history. Many Big Ten schools, including Illinois and Indiana, had offered before Howard followed suit April 29.
“Before I commit, I need to take some visits. Because of Covid, it’s been difficult to go to campuses and talk to coaches face-to-face.”
“I am that four to five man that has the ability to create on the perimeter as well as dominate down low,” Reed said. “I play an inside out game, start to get my points down low and as the defense adjusts, I will adjust ... the mid post or outside on the wing. I’m comfortable shooting the three ball in transition or off ball screens.”
He is just getting started in his recruitment and open to considering all new offers.
Lively recently said Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke, Michigan, Penn State, and Ohio State were the schools recruiting him hardest. He already holds offers from the Tar Heels, Nittany Lions and Buckeyes and should pick up plenty more this summer after recently getting one from U-M.
Though he’s incredibly athletic, an explosive leaper and shot blocker, Lively is intent on expanding his game.
“I’ve been trying to show that I’m more than just a normal big man,” he said. “I’m trying to move the ball outside the three-point line, dribble the ball and even shoot it … trying to be more guard-like for the NBA game.”
