09 Hot Board
2009 Targets
This hot board is my opinion and is in no way a reflection of the University of Michigan basketball program.
Point Guard
| Name | Notes | UMHoops Take | |
| Point guard is probably the top position of need for Michigan in the class of 2009. Michigan needs one in the 2009 class even with limited scholarships available. Morris is option A right now because he has shown the most reciprocal interest but guys like Russell, Jones and Harris are some to watch. | |||
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Darius Morris
Los Angeles (CA) Windward Ht: 6-foot-3 Wt: 175 lbs |
Michigan, Wash. St, Cal, Georgetown, ND, Stanford, Washington | A priority for Michigan, Morris is a talented and athletic scoring point guard from California. Beilein wants a combo guard this seems to be his top choice. Washington State is probably the biggest competition at this point. While no visit is set in stone plans are in action to hopefully get Morris on campus during June. |
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Carl Jones
Garfield Heights (OH) Garfield Heights Ht: 5-foot-11 |
Michigan, Penn State, Dayton, Oregon State, George Mason, Western Michigan, Kent State, Cleveland State, Miami/Ohio
Rivals:*** Scout: |
5-11 speedy point guard from Ohio has big game but taking another sub-six-foot point guard is a little worrysome with Grady already on the roster. |
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CJ Harris
Winston-Salem (NC) Mount Tabor Ht: 6-foot-2 Wt: 175 lbs |
Rivals:*** Scout: **** |
Combo guard can get to the hole and to the line. Has recently picked up high major offers from Miami, Clemson and Oklahoma. No Michigan offer yet as far as I know. |
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Nick Russell
Arlington (TX) Grace Prep Ht: 6-foot-4 |
Rivals:**** Scout: **** |
Texas point guard has drawn a Michigan offer and has offers from numerous high majors. Appears to still be pretty wide open but feels strongly about Duke (but he has not recieved a Duke offer) |
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Stevie Rogers
Houston (TX) Strake Jesuit AAU: Houston Elite Ht: 5-foot-11 |
Michigan, Texas, Wichita State, Kansas State, Oklahoma, UNLV
Scout: |
Texas point guard has some high major suitors and is definetly one to watch. |
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Colt Ryan
Batesville (IN) Batesville Ht: 6-foot-3 |
Miami, Indiana, Purdue, Ohio State, Xavier, Indiana State, Butler, Michigan, Notre Dame
Rivals: *** |
Big combo guard is reportedly a great shooter and getting UM interest. Has yet to land any high major offers at this point. |
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Andrew Bock Rialto (CA) Eisenhower High School AAU: IEBP Ht: 6-foot-1 |
Rivals: Scout: ESPN: 78 |
Slender point guard had a terrific junior season and is very likely a viable backup if some of the top targets on the board fall through. Needs to work on strength at only 155lbs but is definetely one to watch as the summer progresses. |
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Keenan Coleman
Flint (MI) Central Ht: 6-foot-4 |
Rivals: Scout: |
Probably not a likely fit for Michigan. Questions about grades have surfaced.
photo from InsidePrepSports |
Shooting Guard
| Name | Notes | UMHoops Take | |
| Shooting guard is not pressing need with Manny, LLP and Stu already on the roster. However if a kid like Dion Sims wants to play ball at Michigan you can’t turn him away. Also it appears that Michigan could take another combo type of guard and put him in the back court with a guy like LLP. Two strong ball handlers who can also score the rock. | |||
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Dion Sims
Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s Ht: 6-foot-5 |
Two sport athlete transferred from UofD Jesuit to OLSM. | Looks more likely to play football at this point, got serious interest in both sports from lots of high majors. Family has ties to UM but recruitment is wide open.
photo from InsidePrepSports |
| Glen Rice Jr.
Marietta (GA) Walton Ht: 6-foot-4 |
Rivals: **** Scout: |
Glen Rice’s son was originally not seeing much Mcihgian interest but interest has reportedly started to pick up. That being said Rice lives in Georgia and has gotten early interest from local schools. | |
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Raymond Cowels
Minneapolis (MN) Hopkins Ht: 6-foot-4 |
Rivals: *** Scout: |
Big combo guard from Minnesota lists Michigan as well as others from the midwest. Definetely one to watch. |
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Marcus Jordan
Deerfield (IL) Loyola Academy Ht: 6-foot-3 |
Rivals: *** Scout: ** |
Plays with another Michigan target, Nik Garcia. Son of Michael Jordan. |
Small Forward
| Name | Notes | UMHoops Take | |
| Depending on who Michigan lands to fill out the 2008 class, the wing position could be a serious need. Kids like Manny Atkins and Givon Crump are intriguing prospect while local shooter Ben Simons is starting to step his game up on the AAU circuit. | |||
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Ben Simons
Cadillac (MI) Ht: 6-foot-7 |
Xavier, CMU, WMU, Michigan, MSU | Shooter from Cadillac, MI has not put up exceptional numbers this year but continues to have buzz. Reportedly a good shooter but still holes in his game. May be more of a MAC level recruit at this time. Rumor has it that he would jump on an MSU offer if it were to come. Had a rough spring early while dealing with a lower leg injury but has stepped his game up of late and had a solid TOC tourney.
photo from InsidePrepSports |
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Manny Atkins
Stone Mountain (GA) Tucker Ht: 6-foot-5 |
Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, Alabama, FSU as well as Michigan are among suitors. | Recieved a Michigan offer (link) and appears to be one of the main wing targets on the board at this point. |
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Givon Crump
Wolfeboro (NH) Brewster Academy Ht: 6-foot-6 |
Rivals: *** (#107) Scout: ** |
Another wing target, Crump is a skilled shooter with good size who is an intriguing prospect. |
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Nik Garcia
Niles (IL) Niles West AAU: Rising Stars JG Ht: 6-foot-6 |
Iowa, UK, S. Ill, Michigan, PSU, Maryland and others
Rivals: *** Scout: *** |
Illinois slasher made it up for a visit in September. Appears to be a serious target on the wing for Michigna in 2009. |
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Tucker Halpern
Dedham (MA) Noble & Greenough School AAU: New England Select Ht: 6-foot-7 |
Rivals: Scout: ** |
East coast big wing forward lists Michigan. More info & video on Tucker here. |
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Jamil Wilson
Racine (WI) Horlick Ht: 6-foot-7 |
Marquette, Purdue, Illinois, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Iowa State, Michigan State, Michigan | MSU seems to be making a move in this recruitment. The Crean move to Indiana really shakes things up. Does not mention Michigan in this article. |
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Glenn Bryant
Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill Academy Ht: 6-foot-7 |
Three start prospect transferred high schools from Michigan to Oak Hill in Virginia.
Florida, Florida State, Memphis, Michigan, Michigan State, Syracuse and Ohio State. |
Has not been listing Michigan lately, bouncy athlete doesnt look like he will be in U-M future. Being recruited by a bunch of high majors. |
Power Forward
| Name | Notes | UMHoops Take | |
| Already landing Morgan, a banging low post presence if Michigan adds another PF it would likely be a more skilled finesse type of power foward. Robin Benzing committed as a 2008 recruit but will probably have to sit a year and be somewhat like an 09, Benzing’s commitment may be enough to fill the need at the power forward. | |||
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Jordan Morgan
Detroit (MI) University of Detroit Jesuit High Ht: 6-foot-8 |
Committed to Michigan on 12/18/2008 | Big man committed to Michigan this winter. Has had a solid season with U-D Jesuit. Provides a big frame and is young and still growing. |
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Andy Brown
Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei Ht: 6-foot-8 |
Rivals:
Scout: |
Do-it-all forward from undefeated Mater Dei high school slides under the radar due to his team’s star power but is reportedly the glue that holds the team together. However Robin Benzing’s commitment may be writing on the wall for Brown’s recruitment because it is not clear whether Michigan would take another power forward. Planned May visit was cancelled due to Beilein being out of town but Benzing committed soon after. |
Center
| Name | Notes | UMHoops Take | |
| With Ekpe’s departure a 2009 center would seem to be a pressing need but at this point there dont seem to be any really strong options on Michigan’s board. Morgan may end up being more of a 5 man with Benzing playing the 4 in the future. | |||
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James Still
Detroit (MI) Detroit Community Ht: 6-foot-8 |
Michigan, MSU, Xavier, MAC Schools | Appears to be wide open althought not much has been written with respect to Michigan’s recruitment of Still. |
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