With the Wolverines' season now in the books after a strong finish and a fifth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, we now flip the page to recruiting.

As potential return/early entry decisions haven't been confirmed exclusive of DeVante Jones, the coaching staff doesn't know how many scholarships, and for what position group(s), are available. 

Taking that into account, let's jump right into it with my most recent intel that will largely focus on the 2023 class. 

**NOTE - In an effort to adjust expectations, I'm going to start emphasizing wholistic evaluations that focus more on projected impact as opposed to exclusive emphasis on a quantitative ranking. The overall talent level in HS hoops has declined significantly over the last five years and there has to be an adjustment that compensates for it and this is my attempt at doing so. The oversimplified example is that a prospect in the 15-40 range for the 2023 class probably doesn't project to be as good, or have as much impact, as a 2018 prospect in the same range, particularly as a freshman.**

NEW OFFER

Head coach Juwan Howard extended a scholarship to 2023 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian guard Marvel Allen on Tuesday. 

Height/Weight: 6'4/195 (listed measurements), most likely a legit 6'2 - 6'3 and 185-190

Position: Combo-Guard

Mainstream Ranking: top-20 prospect overall to both the 247 + On3 composite rankings. 

EM Ranking/Evaluation: Projected impact more closely resembles that of a 35-70 range prospect. More scorer than shooter that excels as a volume on-ball type that creates his own offense. College ready frame + solid positional size coupled with good athleticism allow him to finish through contact and absorb defenders attempting to bump him off his spots when penetrating to the rim. Above-average jumpshooter capable of hitting pull-ups from midrange, and from distance at times. Doesn't play off-ball much, so hard to measure his effectiveness as a floor-spacing shooter. Not a great playmaker for others at this stage of development. Probably a high-floor player at the college level due to size + frame/scoring ability.

Recruitment: There are some connections here, as Allen attends the same HS as 2022 signee Greg Glenn. On the other hand, Marvel was committed to LSU prior to Will Wade's termination. Those two factors in tandem make this a unique recruitment from a Michigan perspective, although one that is intriguing. There will be no shortage of suitors for Allen throughout the Summer. 

YES, PLEASE

I was in Dallas over the weekend to take in my first travel ball event of the year at the Circuit League I. The prospect that absolutely blew me away was 2023  Zayden High of JL3 EYBL/Smithson Valley HS (TX). The appropriate folks were notified and contact has been made.

Height/Weight: Listed at 6'7-6'9/185-225. He's a legit 6'8-6'9 and 210 pounds at minimum.

Position: Power-Forward/Center

Mainstream Ranking: 3-star to every site (no ESPN profile)

EM Ranking/Evaluation: Projected impact resembles that of a top-50 prospect without question despite the mainstream ranking. And I'm only being that conservative on the basis that I need to see him more on the EYBL circuit. Potent perimeter shotmaker off the catch or the bounce. Outstanding vision as a playmaker for others that can facilitate offense. Appears to be a solid rim protector, with the caveat being that the competition, although formidable (Adidas Mass-Rivals), was a bit undersized. Zayden looks to be my Kyle Filipowski for the 2023 cycle. The kid that mainstreams don't love heading into the Spring/Summer, but will likely end up as a high 4-star/low 5-star prospect by August. High looks to be the perfect college prospect that may not have NBA-caliber positional size/agility/twitchiness (distinct from Filipowski that is a legit 6'11 - 7'). Assuming Michigan has a scholarship available for a big in 2023, Zayden should be an absolute priority. 

Recruitment: Michigan is just now establishing contact, so impossible to measure how serious things may get, particularly since I predict Zayden is going to blow-up following the first live evaluation period in April. This is headed toward a national level recruitment in a hurry.

[Hit THE JUMP for a few more new names on the board]

UNDER THE RADAR, BUT ONE TO FOLLOW
 

Michigan has shown some preliminary interest in 2023 guard R.J. Jones of Drive Nation EYBL/John Paul II HS (TX), but no offer has been extended.

Height/Weight: Listed at 6'2-6'3/175-180 and that sounds right based on my eye test over the weekend.

Position: PG/SG

Mainstream Ranking: 4-star/40-75 overall

EM Ranking/Evaluation: Agree with the mainstream rankings, but would probably have him a bit higher at 35-60. From the body type to the shotmaking ability + shooting mechanics (genu valgum in the knees), Jones definitely reminded me a bit of former MSU standout Cassius Winston. Jones is an excellent shooter as a traditional floor-spacer and hitting pull-up jumpers off the dribble. While he didn't play on-ball much, I was impressed with RJ as a playmaker for others in his limited stints playing PG for Drive Nation. He definitely has some shiftiness off the bounce and changes directions easily with a live dribble. He's doesn't have a ton of acceleration, but he does have solid verticality in run + jump scenarios. Projects as a good multi-year college player that can excel as an on-ball playmaker or a catch + shoot floor-spacer that is compatible with any lineup combination. 

Recruitment: Resides in Texas, but grew up in Florida until recently and Dad is originally from Benton Harbor. High academic student with 3.5+ GPA. Texas A&M and Cal are the two schools pursuing him the hardest right now. I'd expect a lot of new suitors over the Summer. This one seems to check all the boxes from a Michigan perspective both on the court and culturally. Would like to see this recruitment gets serious if the scholarship situation permits. 

2024 THAT MAY BE WORTH MONITORING DOWN THE ROAD

2024 SG Kur Teng of Adidas Mass Rivals + Bradford Christian Academy (MA) was the best pure shooter I saw in Dallas. The staff has been keeping loose tabs on him, but no contact has been made to my knowledge. 

Height/Weight: Listed at 6'4/165-185. Realistically 6'2-6'3 + 185-195.

Position: SG

Mainstream Ranking: 4-star/top-50 overall to both 247 and Rivals

EM Ranking/Evaluation: Projected impact more closely resembles that of a 75-150 range prospect assuming he's done growing. Outstanding shooter off movement via screens + relocations. Able to hit pull-ups when attacking closeouts. Can run half-court sets through him because of his ability to hit jumpers on the move. Limited ballhandler that doesn't change direction/speed with a live dribble. Limited athlete that doesn't possess ideal agility/speed/verticality. Not a playmaker for others at this stage of development. Quintessential "Just A Shooter" that doesn't project to be a great defender at this point. 

Recruitment: Michigan isn't serious here just yet and I can see why. Offer list/interest closer to that of a MM+ caliber prospect and I agree with that at this point. If he gets to a legit 6'5-6'6 and/or develops some shot-creation ability that changes the equation.