The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1184078
10 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2019 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Freshman shooting guard Cole Ba- jema had a tough decision to make when former head coach John Beilein left for the Cleveland Cavaliers — stick with his childhood favorite school or reopen his recruitment. He chose to stay with the Wolverines after new head coach Juwan Howard reached out to him, ensuring Bajema he wanted him in Ann Arbor, and he hasn't looked back. He spoke with the media for the first time this October: The Wolverine: What's been the big- gest adjustment for you from high school to the college game? Bajema: "The speed and the pace of the game … people just always tell you from high school to college, the game is going to speed up. Everybody is big- ger, faster and stronger, which is obvi- ous, but it really does hit you, for sure. "[Shooting it], people are taller — you've just kind of got to change your game, evolve around it. Whatever works." The Wolverine: How hard has it been to pick up the offense, and do you like it? How are you shooting the ball, your forte? Bajema: "I like the offense. Some things are tough. That goes along with just going to college; you've just got to learn. The high school system is totally different. It speeds up, is a lot faster. You've got to learn a lot more things. "It's definitely tougher [shooting] just because I'm getting used to the arena atmosphere. This is only the second or third time playing in a big arena like this, but it's been good." The Wolverine: You're rooming with another freshman, Franz Wagner. How are you guys meshing? Bajema: "We get along really well, laugh a lot. When we're bored, we just watch sports, play video games all the time. We're bonding. "He's a funny guy. He laughs at my jokes a lot, which is good. When it comes to basketball, we're serious. We dial it in. He's awesome." The Wolverine: What's it going to take for you to see the floor this year? Bajema: "Everybody has to step up somewhere, so there are roles to be leapt on. I just need to prove myself in practice and prove I can play out there, and I'll do that by working as hard as I can. I just have to work my butt off in practice and hope I can get some min- utes out on the court. I want to prove myself in practice and prove I can play out there. "I'm definitely a little nervous, but I feel like that's normal for a freshman. I've been practicing ever since I got here in June, so I'm ready to get things going." The Wolverine: You added about 15 pounds since the summer. What's it been like working with strength coach Jon Sanderson? Bajema: "He's been tough on me, but it's been good. I needed that. This summer it's been huge, just gaining weight, putting on the extra strength I need. It's definitely going to help in the future. I think I showed up at 174 pounds, and I think I got to as high as 190, 191. He's definitely put some weight on me. … "He's great. He'll push you to your limits, but it's all for the good, getting extra reps in after practice, before. It definitely helps." — Chris Balas Rivals.com ranked Bajema as a four-star prospect and the nation's No. 98 overall recruit in the class of 2019. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Sitting Down With Freshman Basketball Guard Cole Bajema