The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JUNE / JULY 2022 THE WOLVERINE 35 2022 BASKETBALL RECRUITING ISSUE Michigan has not been immune. Rising sophomore point guard Frankie Collins, expected to take over as U-M's starter this year, surprisingly bolted for Arizona State in April when he got wind that head coach Juwan Howard and his staff were serious about bringing in another guard. Princeton's Jaelin Llewellyn was one. Fortunately for them, he pledged after his trip, and he quickly became the favorite to take over for DeVante' Jones at the point. Llewellyn will be Michigan's third smaller-school transfer in three years. "I chose Michigan because they are a great program with a great coach that has had success at the guard spot, espe- cially with transfers," Llewellyn told The Daily Princetonian, his school newspaper, shortly after his commitment. More specifically, even, the Wolverines have had great success previously with another Ivy League transfer at guard. Columbia's Mike Smith, a two-time All- Ivy League selection (2018 and 2020), helped lead Michigan to a Big Ten title and the Elite Eight in 2021, averaging 9.0 points and 5.3 assists while shooting 41.2 percent from long range. Llewellyn, a first-team All-Ivy selec- tion in 2022, averaged 15.7 points per game for the Tigers in 2021-22. He shot 38.6 percent from three-point land and helped lead Princeton to a 23-7 record and the Ivy League's regular-season title. The Tigers lost to Yale in the conference tour- nament title game, falling by two points. Llewellyn initially pledged to Clemson before the Tigers lost a couple of assistant coaches. He then opened his recruitment up and later pledged to U-M after his late- April visit. "Ann Arbor is a lot closer to my home [Mississauga, Ontario] than I've been since going to high school in Virginia, and that gives my parents more of an oppor- tunity to catch some games," Llewellyn said. Llewellyn was a four-star recruit and top-100 prospect during his high school career, per ESPN. He was North Pole Hoops' No. 5 Canadian prospect and top point guard in the class of 2018. The 6-foot-2 combo guard joined Princeton's 1,000-point club this past season. He added 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the field. His three-point shooting percentage increased every season at Princeton, and he started all 76 games he played in his career with the Tigers. "Michigan is a team that consistently makes a push in the tournament, and I want to help do the same and be a part of something special," he said. He initially thought that would be in the ACC. While Michigan showed early interest, the Clemson staff made him an immediate priority, to the point that Llewellyn seemed to have tunnel vision. But when the situation changed with the Tigers, he looked for a program with recent postseason success. Enter Michigan, which made the Elite Eight and Sweet 16 the past two years. "We were three points away from making the tournament this past sea- son. It was a heartbreaker to be right there, especially after winning the regu- lar season," Llewellyn said. "So, I want to get to the [NCAA] Tournament as badly as anyone. I want to bring that fire and hunger to do it this coming year." Only now, he will hit the hardwood at Michigan instead of Clemson. Though more instinctive guard than thinking man's point, Llewellyn is clearly intelligent and capable of learn- ing quickly. He has a degree from one of the nation's top schools, and he'll be doing postgraduate work at one of the country's top public universities now, as well. Whatever he accomplishes at Michi- gan, he'll have set himself up well for his future endeavors. "I think it shows that if I put my mind to something, I can accomplish it," he said. "Not many people can say they're walking out of school with a Princeton degree, and I'll be able to say that, on top of having a pretty good basketball career. I think it takes a lot of mental fortitude." And it's not over yet. He's got two years of eligibility remaining, and if all goes as expected, should get his oppor- tunity to play in the NCAA Tournament. His next chapter starts in June when he arrives on campus. He's more than ready to go. ❏ A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Llewellyn was a four-star recruit and top-100 prospect during his high school career, per ESPN. He was North Pole Hoops' No. 5 Canadian pros- pect and top point guard in the class of 2018. PHOTO COURTESY PRINCETON ATHLETICS