The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1526802
OCTOBER 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 55 ❱ BASKETBALL RECRUITING coach Mark Pope, and Indiana coach Mike Woodson and three of his assis- tants stopped by his school for lunch, per IndyStar.com. The sharpshooter will see North Caro- lina Sept. 14, Indiana Sept. 21, Duke Oct. 5, Tennessee Oct. 19, and Kentucky Oct. 26 before making his decision. Sources say the U-M trip went "very well," but there are heavy hitters involved here. It would be an impressive pull if the Wolverines landed him. ACADEN LEWIS 6-2, 170, PG Baltimore Sidwell Friends School On3 Industry Ranking: No. 34 nationally Lewis became an even bigger prior- ity after Nyk Lewis chose Xavier, and he visited for the Texas game, as well. He's planning on announcing more visits in the weeks to come and was recently in- home with Kentucky. The Wildcats have come on strong, but he's considering Michigan, Tennes- see, UConn, Syracuse, North Carolina, Duke and Auburn. "I want an opportunity to play," Lewis said. "Obviously, you're not going to get playing time handed to you, but I want an opportunity to earn playing time …" And to play with other great players. "It's something that some players shy away from, but I'm cool with giving up some of my pride to win games and play at the highest level," he said. "I want to play with other high-level guys. I also want to talk and have a relationship with the staff, because that's who I'll be with for the whole year." KAREEM STAGG 6-8, 225, PF Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy On3 Industry Ranking: No. 102 nationally Stagg visited Michigan in early Sep- tember after a Georgia visit — he holds offers from West Virginia, Maryland, Providence and others after a strong spring and summer. He has a relation- ship with U-M assistant coach Akeem Miskdeen from the coach's days at Georgia. From Shaw at this summer's NBPA Camp: "Stagg is a physical presence with a lot of burst. In past viewings, his output has been inconsistent, and the produc- tion was fluid here as well. However, he shot the ball well, which makes things intriguing. It will be interesting to see if he continues this trend, with his size, length, and pop, an added jump shot opens up more for Stagg." He wants to decide in late October or November. He visited Oklahoma State after Michigan. Word has it the U-M visit went "very well." XAVION STATON 7-0, 210, C Las Vegas Sierra Vista On3 Industry Ranking: No. 31 nationally Staton has emerged as the class's top rim protector and is currently the No. 3-ranked center in the On3 Industry Ranking. Michigan (Sept. 21), USC (Oct. 5), Stanford (Oct. 11), UNLV (Oct. 26) and BYU (Nov. 2) all will get his visits. Per Shaw, BYU is the program that is currently carrying the most momentum according to sources around the recruit- ment. "I am also told that his familiarity with UNLV could keep them around," he said. "One source recently told me that Mich- igan is going to really try and make a push on their visit. "Each trip he takes is worth watching, even if BYU is carrying the momentum heading into the start of his visits. Re- cruiting can be fluid." CADE BENNERMAN 6-9, 195, C Nashville Father Ryan On3 Industry Ranking: No. 195 nationally Bennerman is a fast riser and a great athlete who made it in for Michigan football's Arkansas State weekend Sept. 14. "While there is still a long way until he hits his ceiling, there are not many 6-foot-9 people in the world who move as fluidly as Bennerman," Shaw wrote this summer. "He played effectively within himself, finishing plays around the basket and blocking shots around the rim. "There is a clear pathway with his continued improvement. He finished to- day's outing with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks, going 6-7 from the field." He's reportedly visited USF, is setting up an NC State visit and will travel to Northwestern Sept. 21, but he told us he's very high on Michigan. "I love the history of Michigan," Ben- nerman said. "I met Coach May on a Zoom call, and I like the way he coaches." ISAIAH DENIS 6-5, 170, PG Davidson (N.C.) Day On3 Industry Ranking: No. 61 nationally Denis has taken an unofficial visit to Wake Forest and officials to Pitt and Ohio State. OSU may have set the bar, but he'll see Miami (Sept. 13), Michigan (Sept. 21), UNC (Sept. 28), Wake Forest (Oct. 5) and Tennessee (Oct. 11). "I loved it over there," Denis told On3 of OSU. "The program speaks for itself with just the name. The facilities are top-notch, and their plan for me really fits what I am looking for. I think they are going to push me to get better every day and become the best version of me on and off the court." Michigan will have to step up to match it when he visits for the USC football weekend. ❑ TOP 2026 POWER FORWARD VISITS MICHIGAN Miikka Muurinen, one of the fastest-rising 2026 players, visited Michigan on Sept. 14. He also has scheduled trips to Arkansas and Duke later in the month, and previously has been on campus at Utah. Kentucky is also in the mix at this point. Muurinen is a 6-foot-10, 200-pound power forward who will suit up for Chandler (Ariz.) AZ Compass Prep this year. He is the No. 11 prospect in the 2026 class in the On3 Industry Ranking and the No. 1 power forward nationally. The forward also has international experience, having played for the Finnish National Team in the FIBA U16 European Championships in August 2023. He led that youth team with 16.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Earlier this year, he made his senior debut with Finland's National Team at age 17. Muurinen was named to his country's roster for the 2024 FIBA Olympic qualifying matches against Bahamas, Poland and Spain, averaging 2.7 points and 1.7 rebounds per game while averaging 7.8 minutes of playing time. Both his parents are former professional basketball players. His father, Kimmo Muurinen, played 153 games for the Finnish National Team, and his mother, Jenni Laaksonen, played college basketball for North Carolina and played on Finland's National Team for 68 games. — Mark Panus