The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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60 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2019 BASKETBALL RECRUITING Bajema, who was held to four points on only 1-of-7 shooting as the focus of King's defense, finished the season averaging 23.9 points per game. Lynden Christian had beaten Con- nell 79-53 in the Class 1A regional tournament Feb. 25 to advance. Ba- jema scored 16 points in the win. Finally, U-M signee Jalen Wilson (6-8, 210, Rivals.com's No. 43 senior nationally) and his Denton (Texas) Guyer team were bounced by Dun- canville (Texas) High and class of 2020 Michigan offeree Micah Peavy (6-6, 180, Rivals.com's No. 64 junior nationally) in the Class 6A regional final. Wilson played well, scoring 12 points, but Guyer lost 66-62 in over- time. Wilson scored inside to tie the game at 51-51 late, and another Wil- son bucket put Guyer ahead 53-51, but they couldn't hold the lead. Regardless of the disappointing end to the season, Wilson had a great season, DentonRC.com reported. "Wilson has taken his game to an- other level as a senior, adding a lethal three-point shot to his offensive arse- nal," the website noted. "After shoot- ing 33 percent from long range on a combined 127 attempts as a fresh- man and sophomore, Wilson hit 41 of 105 three-pointers last year [39.0 percent]. "The Michigan signee has upped that number to 40.5 percent while again increasing his attempts, knock- ing down 55 of 136 shots from be- hind the arc this season." "I've learned every year how to get shots off better," said Wilson, who averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. "As a freshman, I was playing against older kids and wasn't strong enough or quick enough. I've trained to get it quicker, and have a better and higher release. I've been shooting and working out more than I ever have before. "I don't think I've ever had as much confidence in my three-point shot as I do now. Putting in the work and having the confidence to see the ball go in day in and day out has re- ally helped." Peavy, meanwhile, shined in the win. He led Duncanville with 19 points and 12 rebounds, and then registered 22 points and 13 rebounds in a state championship win. Peavy has five schools left, includ- ing Michigan and LSU. The Wolver- ines are his only team "up north," but they've done a great job recruit- ing him. "I'm still talking to them a lot," he confirmed March 14. "They are high on my list." And though many predict he'll stay in the south, he said distance wouldn't be a factor. "I'm just looking for the best fit," he said. MICHIGAN COACHES EXPLORING MORE 2019 POSSIBILITIES Michigan's coaches are looking at other 2019 targets to join their two signees, and they'll likely take one if they can find the right fit. They will need some attrition to make it happen. While redshirt ju- nior Charles Matthews is expected to turn pro, the Wolverines are still at the allotted 13-scholarship mark with his departure. Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Acad- emy standout shooting guard Les- ter Quinones (6-5, 200) is Rivals. com's No. 44 senior nationally, and he's high on the list. He is a deadly shooter and has the body to play right away. In February, he said that his mother loved the Wolverines' ac- ademics, adding he hoped to see the school soon. He did see Michigan in action March 3 — at Maryland, as a guest of the Terrapins. "It was a great game," he said. "Michigan is right up there for me, as well. I'm planning a visit real soon, too." He's not sure when, but it's in the works. Memphis, meanwhile, is also mak- ing a push, though Maryland and LSU were thought to be the stron- gest with him. Beilein went to Con- necticut to watch Quinones play in the National Championships in early March. "The top-50 wing is a heralded one at Rivals.com, but we seem to be ahead of the curve compared to the rest of the industry with the IMG product," Rivals.com's Corey Evans noted. "He is down to a final list of schools that includes some of the better ones nationally, but he is also someone that, in the right role and system, could excel at any program in America. "I wouldn't be surprised to see him make a major name for himself next season thanks to his alpha-dog de- meanor, work ethic and shot making prowess." Franz Wagner, former Michigan center Moritz Wagner's little brother, is also back in the mix for 2019. The younger Wagner, a 6-7 shooter and more, is part of the Alba Berlin Club team but is still considering playing in the United States, and has U-M, Stanford and Butler as his top three. Moritz Wagner told us last March his brother was very skilled and might want to play in the U.S. "He's definitely thinking about it," he said. "He's a little different than me, but … he's in a very similar situ- ation. He's introverted, thinks a little more before he speaks. He's not as expressive … though on the court, he is. I think he really has both options in mind. It's a tough time for a young guy, 16 years old. He's graduating school right now and he's going to have a whole year to think about it. It's a tough year. "I had the same year, because we had so much going on. When it's Franz Wagner, a 6-7 shooter and the little brother of former Michigan center Moritz Wagner (2015-18), is considering playing in the United States as a class of 2019 pros- pect, and lists Michigan, Stanford and Butler as his top three. PHOTO BY BARMER LISA BASKETBALL BUNDESLIGA