The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1468055
38 THE WOLVERINE JUNE / JULY 2022 2022 BASKETBALL RECRUITING ISSUE "He shoots the heck out of it. He's two or three inches taller than Nik, though. Nik had a little more wiggle to him and more off the bounce. But Gavin has some stuff off the bounce, too. He just plays a little bit upright." He's a solid passer and "the type of guy that will grab a rebound and pull up on a fast break from 30 feet, bury it and talk [crap] to you," Shaw said … again, just like Nik Stauskas. Ever since Michigan offered, Shaw said, U-M has been the first school Griffiths has brought up in talking to him. He and Kante both visited Rutgers recently, but Michigan could be tough to beat. "He'll say, 'I want to get out and see them, want to do this, want to see this,'" he said. "You never know what might happen if a Duke or Kentucky came along — that's always there for almost every kid — but I think Michigan has real staying power with Griffiths. Since he got the of- fer, he's been infatuated with them." The June 14 visit should be a telling day for both, and for Michigan. For now, though, the Wolverines seem to be in an enviable position for a pair of players at positions of major need. MICHIGAN IS IN ON SEVERAL MORE OF THE NATION'S TOP JUNIORS Michigan head coach Juwan Howard and his staff have extended offers to several of the nation's top juniors. The Wolverines appear to be looking for a point guard, too — as of now, they are expected to take three total in the class, but as noted above that's a fluid situation. Here are some of the priority targets in the class of 2023 and where U-M stands with them heading into the summer: Isaiah Collier 6-2 • 190 • PG Marietta (Ga.) Wheeler On3 Ranking: No. 7 ju- nior nationally Michigan offered Col- lier after he had origi- nally trimmed his list to Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Cincinnati, UCLA, USC and Florida State. He's now wide open and tearing it up. He was averaging 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists on the NIKE EYBL circuit through early May. Collier has visited Cincinnati and Ala- bama officially, Auburn unofficially and still wants to see USC, UCLA and Michi- gan. U-M, Alabama and UCLA each con- ducted in-home visits in May. "There are definitely a lot of good guards going to Michigan right now," he said recently. "I like how they play and their play style, and I'm looking forward to learning more about them." Getting him on campus would be the next step. But there's one school that seems to be leading, per On3.com's Joe Tipton. "Cincinnati is going all-in," he said. "They've made it crystal clear that he is their guy. "I do not have any inside information, but something in my gut tells me to not doubt Cincinnati. It's far from being a done deal, and I don't think Collier plans to commit right away, but regardless … I like the Bearcats' chances here." J.J. Taylor 6-8 • 180 • SF Chicago Donda Academy On3 Ranking: No. 12 Howard offered Taylor, an elite forward from his hometown of Chicago, as did bluebloods Duke and Kentucky and several other schools last summer. Taylor won co-MVP honors at the West Coast Pangos Camp All-Star game last year to really spark his recruitment, and he's been playing at a high level since. Kentucky seems to be in solid shape early — he's already visited a few times — but U-M is in the mix along with Duke, Illinois and North Carolina. He's long (6-8, 180) and lean, and he is a freak athlete with great upside. U-M seems to be chasing others here, especially the Wildcats. The Wolverines will have to get him on campus to have a shot. Marvel Allen 6-4 • 195 • CG Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Calvary Christian On3 Ranking: No. 23 Allen, a 6-4 combo guard, initially committed to LSU, but he's back on the market. Alabama, Kansas, Memphis, Georgia, Ohio State, Arizona State and Maryland were his initial final- ists. He planned on visiting Alabama and Ohio State before pledging, and Michi- gan has since offered. Auburn seems to have made a move, and at this point, Michigan appears to be a longer shot. The Wolverines would have to get him on campus to have a chance. Allen played and won a state title with U-M incoming freshman Gregg Glenn. That familiarity can't hurt. Aden Holloway 6-0 • 155 • CG LaPorte (Ind.) La Lumi- ere School On3 Ranking: No. 49 The 6-foot standout is a shooter and much more. He made 10 three-pointers in his first game at the CP3 Memorial Day Classic and patterns him- self after NBA standout Chris Paul. Texas A&M, Syracuse, Wake Forest, Vir- ginia Tech and Auburn are among his of- fers in addition to Michigan. He enjoyed a great visit to Auburn for a game this year. "I watch a lot of Chris Paul," he said. "He is the best floor general in the NBA and does everything you need as a point guard. CP3 has a handle, is great in the mid-range and is great in the pick and roll. Kyrie Irving, too, is so creative and has the best handle ever." Holloway picked up an offer from Michi- gan after an outstanding performance at the GEICO Nationals. "I have been on official visits to Auburn and Wake Forest. I have a visit with Ten- nessee set, and I am not sure who else I will visit yet," he told On3. But Michigan seems to have made progress here. "He's really small," Shaw said. "He's from North Carolina near me, so I've seen him since sixth grade. He's one of those guys where you keep waiting for his size to catch up with him. He's 5-11, maybe 150 pounds, but not quick like Dug McDaniel. He's got small hands, short arms …" And yet he just keeps going out and producing. "Until it shows he can't do it, you have to assume he can," Shaw said. "You don't know how or why. He doesn't see the floor great, but at La Lumiere, he had some huge games this year against [Flor- ida powers] IMG Academy and Mont- verde, going for 24 and 25 points against some big-name kids. Shooting and all of it … he gets to spots and is just really crafty." Holloway and Michigan are still getting to know each other. "I still need to learn more about the pro- gram. I haven't visited yet," Holloway said. "I'm planning on visiting this summer be- fore I commit. I still have to learn and feel them out.