The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MAY 2022 THE WOLVERINE 55 BASKETBALL RECRUITING that weekend, and Michigan followed a few days later. Colorado, Texas A&M, Western Kentucky, SMU, Arkansas, Houston, and others also have offered. "However, I'd expect to see his list continue expanding," Shaw said. High plays AAU ball with JL3 (Texas) 17U. He was also good at The Circuit League I The Jump event a few weeks ago in Carrollton, Texas. "If this weekend was any indica- tion, expect Zayden High to be one of the biggest risers in the 2023 cycle this spring and summer," On3's Gerry Ham- ilton reported. "High was around 6-foot-6½ a year ago. Now he is closing in on 6-9 with the skill of a small forward. His can stretch the floor as a four man with the ability to put the ball on the deck against bigs and make the correct pass. He will be› a coveted high-major prospect." CYR MALONGA 6-11 • 205 • C Louisville (Ky.) Evangel Christian Malonga is from the Congo and has only been playing basketball for a few years. Illinois, Notre Dame, George- town, Georgia and others have offered in addition to Michigan, but there hasn't been much reported on him this spring. He has not yet been rated by On3 or Rivals but holds a three-star listing from 247Sports. "Michigan, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Western Kentucky, and they're still coming. Notre Dame called," his mentor, Brandon Bender, said last fall. "He's taken an unofficial to Memphis and Kentucky. Everybody is intrigued because he is great in his academics. "He has tremendous athleticism. He can block shots, and his timing has improved very much. Offensively, he's coming around. He gets a bunch of tip dunks and finishes around the rim. His game is evolving." MATAS BUZELIS 6-10 • 187 • PF/SF Wolfeboro (N.H.) Brewster Academy On3 Consensus No. 11 Michigan offered early, but just about everyone else has gotten involved with the talented wing. He can handle it, post a bit and shoot, making him a tough guard at 6-foot-10. Michigan, Florida State, Kansas, Ken- tucky, Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky and Wake Forest are recruiting him, but he's focusing on "being a pro," he said a few months back. He'll explore all op- tions, including G League and overseas. "Matas Buzelis has a lot of tools you look for in a modern forward," On3 re- ported. "He has great positional size and good length. At 6-10, he is very ef- fective in transition with great balance and good burst. "Buzelis has a good handle in the open floor. He is currently a perimeter- oriented player. He needs to tighten his handle in the half-court to help get him to his spots more effectively. "His jump shot has a slow, and low, release. He is better shooting off the catch than the bounce and is a good off- ball cutter, finishing above the rim on back-door cuts. "Buzelis is at his best working with minimal dribbles from the mid-range/ mid-post area. He needs strength, and his motor runs hot and cold. The upside is high here." Buzelis has taken official visits to Kentucky, Florida State and Wake For- est. He's made unofficial trips to Pur- due, DePaul and Kansas. Michigan would have to get him on campus in order to have a shot. OMAHA BILIEW 6-8 • 215 • PF Branson (Mo.) Link Year Prep On3 Consensus No. 10 A prep teammate of Michigan class of 2022 signee Tarris Reed, Biliew de- scribes his versatility as his best trait. "On defense, I can guard one through five, playing defense on the perimeter or in the post," he said in late March. "I am shooting the ball well this season. I can put the ball on the floor attack. I'm a complete two-way player. The way I rebound, too, I can adjust to whatever other teams throw at me." Michigan offered long ago, but the Oregon Ducks seem to have made a move. The G League is an option. "It's Oregon," he said. "They have a great facility, and it is beautiful over there. "I hear a lot from Iowa State and Oklahoma State. Kansas is staying in touch here and there. Arkansas is in contact a lot," he added. Michigan hasn't come up much re- cently. He does hope the G League shows more interest. "I'd never turn those conversations away," he said. "I know with my name and personality, NIL stuff will be there. I have not really gotten into that with any of the schools recruiting me yet, but it is going to be something with who I am." He plans to cut his list mid-summer. Michigan would have to get him on campus to have a shot. "When I go on these visits, I will look at how I fit into the campus lifestyle," he said. "I am also going to look at how I will progress in each environment. Both on and off the floor, I want to take in as much as I can during my time there. "Ultimately, I want to be a pro, so I want to go somewhere that will develop me. But I also want to go to a school where I will grow off the court. "My relationship with the staff will play a factor, too. I have to trust some- one who will hold me accountable to put in the work. I am trusting my future and my dreams with them, so we all have to be on the same page." ❏ U-M is among a host of schools that are pursuing Matas Buzelis, a 6-foot-10 forward from Wolfeboro (N.H.) Brewster Academy who is rated No. 11 in the On3 Consensus. PHOTO COURTESY ON3.COM For regular reports on Michigan basketball recruiting plus videos of U-M commitments and targets visit TheWolverine.com.