A few Michigan targets showed up to Friday’s College Practice Camp, including one surprise visitor — four-star Brandon Johns of East Lansing, Mich.
He and his brother, 2019 Sean Cobb, were two of the higher profile visitors there, along with New Rochelle (N.Y.) Iona Prep forward Soulemayne “Sal” Koureissi .
Cobb is a nice player, but he has work to do to be a high major. The 6-6 guard out of Williamston (Mich.) plays center for his high school team, but he has ball skills and will probably play shooting guard at the next level. He’s gotten interest from the in-state schools, but no offers on any level yet.
His brother, though, is a flat-out stud. Johns, Rivals.com’s No. 43 rising senior nationally, impressed from the get-go during one-on-one drills. He bullied his way to the hole at times and finished through contact repeatedly, drawing praise from head coach John Beilein, and showed off a better handle than we’ve ever seen.
He had one wicked crossover, so quick, that made you think his ball skills might be underrated. He went up and under, finished with floaters — and it translated to games.
Johns went down hard after slipping on one move, but that didn’t prevent him from standing out in games (granted, against inferior competition). He was extremely aggressive in the two games he played, scoring 20-plus in the first on an array of shots inside and out, including a stepback jumper off a crossover, two long triples and a few dunks in close.
Johns’ shooting form is near perfect … great rotation, and he shoots it with confidence. He’s good. He also appeared very comfortable in Ann Arbor. He and assistant Saadi Washington are close, and it showed … Beilein gave Johns’ mother a big hug when he saw her, as well, and she had a great time watching her son play.
Buzz at the camp — the Wolverines are in good shape here.
Koureissi is an intriguing prospect. His biggest offers are from Minnesota and Northwestern, but you can see the upside. He’s lanky and very long, extremely skinny and aggressive, but his handle is a bit loose and he turned it over at times. He’s lacking backspin on his jump shot, but he made a lot more than he missed … it was a bit funky, but it went in.
Kouriessi had a couple of ‘wow’ moves, including a baseline drive and reverse finish, a stepback, fadeaway jumper and two threes on back-to-back trips that helped his team pull away in his second game.
Word on him — he’s extremely quiet and respectful. Those close to his recruitment say he’s a salt of the earth type kid, one of the most humble players they’ve ever met, and he really likes the Wolverines.
We don't expect him to get an offer soon, but he could blossom this fall and, should U-M still have room, potentially earn one down the road.
Other buzz ...
Expect assistant Billy Donlon to take the job at Northwestern. He has family there (his dad), and he’s very good friends with head coach Chris Collins.
Washington ran the camp, and he did it well. He relates well to the kids, and it’s clear Beilein has a ton of respect for him. Beilein is excited to find new assistant(s), and he’s stoked about next season.
He’s also very pleased that D.J. Wilson went No. 17 overall to the Milwaukee Bucks. He’s long believed the true test of a recruiting class is how it pans out, and he was all smiles in talking about how proud he was of his six first round picks in five years. It will likely be seven in six if Moe Wagner goes next year, as expected.
Finally, Minnesotan Race Thompson, a four-star power forward, had a great visit. Iowa State is his leader, but Michigan made a big move. We’ll have more on that in the days to come.
He and his brother, 2019 Sean Cobb, were two of the higher profile visitors there, along with New Rochelle (N.Y.) Iona Prep forward Soulemayne “Sal” Koureissi .
Cobb is a nice player, but he has work to do to be a high major. The 6-6 guard out of Williamston (Mich.) plays center for his high school team, but he has ball skills and will probably play shooting guard at the next level. He’s gotten interest from the in-state schools, but no offers on any level yet.
His brother, though, is a flat-out stud. Johns, Rivals.com’s No. 43 rising senior nationally, impressed from the get-go during one-on-one drills. He bullied his way to the hole at times and finished through contact repeatedly, drawing praise from head coach John Beilein, and showed off a better handle than we’ve ever seen.
He had one wicked crossover, so quick, that made you think his ball skills might be underrated. He went up and under, finished with floaters — and it translated to games.
Johns went down hard after slipping on one move, but that didn’t prevent him from standing out in games (granted, against inferior competition). He was extremely aggressive in the two games he played, scoring 20-plus in the first on an array of shots inside and out, including a stepback jumper off a crossover, two long triples and a few dunks in close.
Johns’ shooting form is near perfect … great rotation, and he shoots it with confidence. He’s good. He also appeared very comfortable in Ann Arbor. He and assistant Saadi Washington are close, and it showed … Beilein gave Johns’ mother a big hug when he saw her, as well, and she had a great time watching her son play.
Buzz at the camp — the Wolverines are in good shape here.
Koureissi is an intriguing prospect. His biggest offers are from Minnesota and Northwestern, but you can see the upside. He’s lanky and very long, extremely skinny and aggressive, but his handle is a bit loose and he turned it over at times. He’s lacking backspin on his jump shot, but he made a lot more than he missed … it was a bit funky, but it went in.
Kouriessi had a couple of ‘wow’ moves, including a baseline drive and reverse finish, a stepback, fadeaway jumper and two threes on back-to-back trips that helped his team pull away in his second game.
Word on him — he’s extremely quiet and respectful. Those close to his recruitment say he’s a salt of the earth type kid, one of the most humble players they’ve ever met, and he really likes the Wolverines.
We don't expect him to get an offer soon, but he could blossom this fall and, should U-M still have room, potentially earn one down the road.
Other buzz ...
Expect assistant Billy Donlon to take the job at Northwestern. He has family there (his dad), and he’s very good friends with head coach Chris Collins.
Washington ran the camp, and he did it well. He relates well to the kids, and it’s clear Beilein has a ton of respect for him. Beilein is excited to find new assistant(s), and he’s stoked about next season.
He’s also very pleased that D.J. Wilson went No. 17 overall to the Milwaukee Bucks. He’s long believed the true test of a recruiting class is how it pans out, and he was all smiles in talking about how proud he was of his six first round picks in five years. It will likely be seven in six if Moe Wagner goes next year, as expected.
Finally, Minnesotan Race Thompson, a four-star power forward, had a great visit. Iowa State is his leader, but Michigan made a big move. We’ll have more on that in the days to come.
