This is so important for the program. In recruiting, getting Houstan opens the way for Juwan to show other recruitable five stars what he can do for them from a player development standpoint, and adds to the ins the program has at the two most prominent prep programs in the country (Monteverde and IMG). From a results standpoint, getting Houstan gives us a plug and play 5* at the position most likely to need filling next season (the 3 spot). In terms of culture of the program, he's a humble, hard-working, quality kid who will likely fit well into a team concept (as he has at Monteverde). I love this pick-up.
Obviously, the first thing which jumps out on film is his perimeter shooting stroke. The stroke is beautiful--perfect rotation, extension, arc, release, etc. He's also a legit 6'7"-6'8", so he's got length to add to his ability to get his shot when he wants. In addition, while he's vastly more oriented, and advanced, as a perimeter player than he is near the basket, he's not shy about posting up smaller guys and/or driving, especially attacking closeouts or off of ball screens. He needs work on finishing inside, as well as added strength; that said his willingness to be other than an elite shooter adds both to his game and his ability to be free for shots.
The second thing which jumps out is how maturely he plays the game. Remember, this is an up-reclassify, which means he's going to be younger, not older, than many in his class, yet in many ways, he plays an old man's game. He moves without the ball, screens and pops, sees rebounding angles on the offensive glass, uses screens to free himself, has nice footwork in the post--these things are not common for many 5* kids who have simply dominated from a young age. Part of that may stem from his having played and started as a soph on last year's incredibly loaded Monteverde team, which allowed him to develop as a complimentary piece, but part of it seems to be Houstan's personality. He's a decent/pretty good athlete, but it's not his calling card, which may also be part of his maturity as a player. I saw a Shane Battier comparison this morning. That works for me.
He fits perfectly with next year's team. We will likely lose our three or four best perimeter shooters (Livers, Wagner, Brooks and Smith), and while recruiting under Juwan has been very good, we have not heretofore loaded up on elite shooters from deep with the exception of Will Tschetter, who may need some competition level adjustment time. This is not to say that guys like Williams, Bufkin and Barnes won't be good college shooters--I believe they will--but none of them is likely to be a can't leave them under any circumstances guy who allows your creators to attack in a 4 on 4 setting. Houstan absolutely is that guy. He may or may not shoot it like Nik Stauskas did as a freshman--Jon Diebler, for example, shot 29% from 3 as a freshman, and he was a ridiculously good shooter--but the competition level Houstan has played makes a freshman struggle a bit less likely. Add to that the fact that he seems a natural 3 (he's not a 2 for those who might want to see him there), a position of need for next year assuming Livers and Wagner are gone, and the fit could not be better.
This is a great day for those of us who are Michigan basketball fans. Kudos to Juwan and his staff. Welcome aboard Caleb.
Obviously, the first thing which jumps out on film is his perimeter shooting stroke. The stroke is beautiful--perfect rotation, extension, arc, release, etc. He's also a legit 6'7"-6'8", so he's got length to add to his ability to get his shot when he wants. In addition, while he's vastly more oriented, and advanced, as a perimeter player than he is near the basket, he's not shy about posting up smaller guys and/or driving, especially attacking closeouts or off of ball screens. He needs work on finishing inside, as well as added strength; that said his willingness to be other than an elite shooter adds both to his game and his ability to be free for shots.
The second thing which jumps out is how maturely he plays the game. Remember, this is an up-reclassify, which means he's going to be younger, not older, than many in his class, yet in many ways, he plays an old man's game. He moves without the ball, screens and pops, sees rebounding angles on the offensive glass, uses screens to free himself, has nice footwork in the post--these things are not common for many 5* kids who have simply dominated from a young age. Part of that may stem from his having played and started as a soph on last year's incredibly loaded Monteverde team, which allowed him to develop as a complimentary piece, but part of it seems to be Houstan's personality. He's a decent/pretty good athlete, but it's not his calling card, which may also be part of his maturity as a player. I saw a Shane Battier comparison this morning. That works for me.
He fits perfectly with next year's team. We will likely lose our three or four best perimeter shooters (Livers, Wagner, Brooks and Smith), and while recruiting under Juwan has been very good, we have not heretofore loaded up on elite shooters from deep with the exception of Will Tschetter, who may need some competition level adjustment time. This is not to say that guys like Williams, Bufkin and Barnes won't be good college shooters--I believe they will--but none of them is likely to be a can't leave them under any circumstances guy who allows your creators to attack in a 4 on 4 setting. Houstan absolutely is that guy. He may or may not shoot it like Nik Stauskas did as a freshman--Jon Diebler, for example, shot 29% from 3 as a freshman, and he was a ridiculously good shooter--but the competition level Houstan has played makes a freshman struggle a bit less likely. Add to that the fact that he seems a natural 3 (he's not a 2 for those who might want to see him there), a position of need for next year assuming Livers and Wagner are gone, and the fit could not be better.
This is a great day for those of us who are Michigan basketball fans. Kudos to Juwan and his staff. Welcome aboard Caleb.
