The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1520409
34 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JUNE/JULY 2024 2024 BASKETBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY ANTHONY BROOME T he first player to commit to Michi- gan in the Dusty May era, whether on the recruiting trail or via the trans- fer portal, was Justin Pippen, the son of former Chicago Bulls great Scottie Pippen. The younger Pippen made his decision official on April 19, kicking off a busy run of player acquisitions for the Wolverines. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Pippen is a four-star prospect and the No. 67 re- cruit in the 2024 class, per the On3 In- dustry Ranking. "I chose Michigan because my long- term goal is to make the NBA," he told On3's Joe Tipton after his commitment. "Michigan is great for my development, and playing on that big of a stage in that conference is great for me." Not only is his father an NBA legend, but his older brother, Scotty Pippen Jr., had a similar trajectory through high school, blooming late in his career be- fore landing at Vanderbilt, averaging 20.6 points over his final two years of college. He went undrafted but spent time the last two years with the Los An- geles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies. In Justin Pippen's senior season, he averaged 16.5 points, 4.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. Scoring ef- ficiency and decision-making could be the two areas where he needs the most work. Back in February, On3 analyst Jamie Shaw cited a 12-game stretch on Synergy where Pippen av- eraged 14.8 points per game while shooting 37.1 percent and 32.4 per- cent from three. Michigan's going to need that to improve, especially if he grows into a role similar to what his brother had at Vandy, averaging 5.5 at- tempts per night from the three-point line. Several other scouting reports cite his effort on the defensive end of the floor and ability to force turnovers while taking care of the ball on his own. The biggest step that he can take is slowing down his game and continuing to grow into his body. But he has a well-rounded skill set and simply needs to keep play- ing to improve. " Ju s t i n P i p p e n i s a n a g g re ss ive guard," Shaw said. "He has a good frame, growing to the 6-3, 6-4 range with long arms and a projectable build. He is comfortable on or off the ball. Pippen aggressively touches the paint in the half court and finishes well at and above the rim. The jump shot is becoming a weapon as he continues to learn his shot selection. Pippen will need to continue working on the foot- work and angles to help get to his spots. Simplifying his game, working on deci- sion making as he enters a college of- fense is a next step as well. "Pippen is a late bloomer, having grown a few inches over the last year. He was a focal point of his high school's offense for the first time this season and proved up to the task at Sierra Canyon. Pippen's game continues to improve and he is on a clear upward trajectory. He has defensive upside, guarding on and off the ball with purpose." ❑ Pippen By The Numbers • Became the first commitment of the Dusty May era on April 19 and is one of three high school signees in the 2024 recruiting class, join- ing guards Durral Brooks and Lorenzo Cason. • Rated as the No. 67 prospect overall, No. 18 shooting guard nationally and No. 9 player in California in the On3 Industry Ranking. • Averaged 16.5 points, 4.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game during the 2023-24 sea- son at Sierra Canyon (Calif.) High … Was a teammate of Bronny and Bryce James, sons of LeBron James, during his prep career. • His father, Scottie, won six NBA titles as a member of the Chicago Bulls playing alongside Michael Jordan. — Anthony Broome Late Bloomer Combo Guard Justin Pippen Has NBA Bloodlines Pippen, a four-star player from Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon, was rated as the No. 67 pros- pect overall, No. 18 shooting guard nationally and No. 9 player in California in the On3 Industry Ranking. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS