The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1178918
NOVEMBER 2019 THE WOLVERINE 63 BASKETBALL RECRUITING up another spot and they have been picking up things in my recruitment," Moody said. "They fit my playing style. They get guys a lot of shots and get guys to defend, which are two things that I like to do." Arkansas, however, is the home- town school and might be the Wol- verines' biggest competition. He was slated to visit Arkansas the weekend of Oct. 18-20. "It is always going to be that pitch and that pull to come back home," he said. "That is always a positive, just having that support." Napa (Calif.) Prolific Prep's Nimari Burnett (6-4, Rivals' No. 22 overall player in the land), a combo guard, grew up going to Howard's camps in Chicago and knows the family well. There's a trust factor there, but both Burnett and his father — also a How- ard family friend — insist they will go where Burnett best fits. Some believe that's Alabama, where new head coach Nate Oats has reportedly told him he'd be 'the guy' for the Crimson Tide and have the ball in his hands most of the time. Burnett, though, thoroughly en- joyed his Michigan visit and U-M is among the final four with Alabama, Texas Tech and Oregon. "The atmosphere was incredible," he said of his football weekend in Ann Arbor. "The fans are lit. Juwan Howard is like family to me, and coach Howard Eisley, all the rest of the coaches, Coach [Phil] Martelli … all are good people. They mean well and want the best for the guys they recruit. They have a good program." Burnett and his family plan to watch some games this fall and win- ter and make a decision in December. Another five-star, Jaden Springer, also enjoyed his Ann Arbor trip, but many believe Tennessee and Mem- phis are his final two schools. There were rumblings in mid- October, though, that U-M had re- ally made a move, and he admitted Howard had given him something to think about. "The visit was great when I went out there. They showed me the team. They showed me some film on how they're going to play. After they showed me that, I really started to love the team even more," he said. "The coaches were telling me with how they would use me, I really be- lieved them. "It seemed like they were keeping it 100, keeping it real with me." Springer said in mid-October a de- cision would be "coming soon." Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy big man Mark Williams (7-0, Rivals' No. 38 overall prospect nationally) has been silent since his Michigan visit earlier this fall, but Rivals an- alyst Corey Evans believes there's a reason for that. Williams' sister is a Duke legacy, and Williams is ex- pected to follow in her footsteps. He was planning on visiting their cam- pus over the Oct. 25 weekend and making an early November decision. "Williams is down to Duke, Michi- gan and UCLA, with the Blue Devils sitting as the heavy favorite," Evans said Oct. 14. Finally, Lakewood (Calif.) May- fair 's Josh Christopher (6-4, Rivals' No. 12 overall player in the county), a five-star shooting guard, is planning a February official visit to Michigan and won't sign until spring. Rivals analyst Eric Bossi believes U-M is playing from behind. "My feel is that Bobby Hurley and the Arizona State Sun Devils get at least one of [Christopher or five-star Chicago product Adam Miller], and that would be a major win," Bossi said. "Christopher is fresh off a visit to Howard, while UCLA [who some favor to win out] and Missouri are strong." CLASS OF 2021 FIVE-STAR LANDER READY TO VISIT The class of 2020 five-stars aren't Howard's only focus. Class of 2021 standout Khristian Lander of Evans- ville (Ind.) Reitz is thinking he will visit Michigan at the end of October for the Notre Dame football week- end. Lander grew up a U-M fan with Trey Burke posters on his walls. Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, Mem- phis, North Carolina and UCLA are among those sitting well in addition to Michigan. Some believe the Hoo- siers have the advantage for the 6-2, 165-pounder (Rivals' No. 13 junior nationally); he visited Bloomington this fall and had a great time. "It was a good experience," he said. "It was more about building a relationship further with them since I have been to IU multiple times. "The fan base is crazy there. The student section goes until forever, and it is pretty exciting there." He also enjoyed a visit to Louisville and is in no rush to decide. Michi- gan's pitch, he noted, was similar to everyone else's. "They said if they got me, I would be their point guard for their team," Lander said. No other visits have been sched- uled. Both Indiana and Louisville, meanwhile, have asked him if he'd consider joining them next year. "It is a possibility, but I am not positive about it yet," he said of re- classifying. "I would have to get 14 more credits to graduate after this year, so I would have to take a few more courses. "But I could get a head start and play at the college level right now. I need to get a little stronger." According to Evans, Indiana, Lou- isville and Michigan "may have a leg up on the rest of the field" with Lander 's junior season approach- ing. ❑ On The Web For regular reports on Michigan basketball recruiting plus videos of U-M commitments and targets visit TheWolverine.com. Evansville (Ind.) Reitz five - star guard Khristian Lander — who is rated as the No. 13 junior nationally by Rivals — grew up a U-M fan and could visit Ann Arbor for the Notre Dame football weekend at the end of October. PHOTO BY BRIAN NEUBERT/GOLDANDBLACK.COM