The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1544920
JUNE/JULY 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 31 2026 BASKETBALL RECRUITING ISSUE He averaged 19 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game. Hartman also helped deliver a 2024 SIAA state championship to The Rock as a sophomore, recording a pair of 29-point games along the way. "Hartman is a very well-rounded basketball player," Michigan head coach Dusty May said recently. "He can check a lot of boxes and he's played a lot of positions. Any time you have positional versatility, and you come from the stock that Joseph's come from, in terms of his dad being a coach, it gives him a leg up over the typical freshman." May had plenty to say about the growing guard after he signed with Michigan last November. "Joseph is a floor general," May ob- served. "He plays with great command and confidence, and his voice carries through the team. He's a strong deci- sion-maker who understands tempo, spacing and how to put teammates in successful positions. He combines toughness with feel. He's not afraid to make the extra pass or take a big shot when it matters. "His competitive nature and basket- ball IQ make him a perfect fit for how we want to play. What we love is that Joseph loves the process — film, lifting, reps. He's wired to improve every day, and that mindset will serve him and our program extremely well." Hartman is the son of Florida asso- ciate head coach Carlin Hartman. The two engaged in a conversation about him potentially becoming a Gator, and decided a college player playing for his dad might not be the optimal situation. When they decided he should go his own way, he chose May and Michigan. He definitely retains the coach's kid feel for the game. He also got the feel for the Final Four, attending when Florida won the championship a year ago. In other words, he's enjoyed an emotional stake in the last two NCAA titles. "Seeing that, I want to follow in those footsteps," Hartman noted of his dad's experience. "Winning a national championship — that's the dream. I've learned from my dad what it takes to be a winner." He'll now be imbedded with a host of national championship winners, with guards Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKen- ney returning to the fold next season. Where he'll fit precisely hasn't been de- termined, but McKenney's experience this year proved without question that May isn't hesitant at all to play fresh- men who earn the right, even among a host of veteran standouts. Carlin Hartman's son noted he'll still root for the Gators. But he's got his own allegiance now, one with an even more recent national championship. Soon, they'll be looking to add another, and Joseph Hartman will have his eyes locked on that prize. ❑ By The Numbers • Hartman is considered a consensus four-star prospect across the major re- cruiting services. • The product of The Rock School is listed by Rivals as the No. 20 shooting guard in the nation, the No. 75 player nationally and the No. 10 performer in the state of Florida. • 247Sports listed Hartman as the No. 13 shooting guard in the nation, the No. 92 player overall and the No. 15 per- former in the state of Florida. • ESPN ranks him as the No. 15 shoot- ing guard in the country, the No. 93 player overall and the No. 12 basketball player in the state of Florida. • McDonald's All-American nominee. • Earned first-team status as a senior and junior in the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association (SIAA), regarded as the top league in the state. Hartman averaged 14.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game his senior season at The Rock School in Gainesville, Fla. PHOTO COURTESY JOSEPH HARTMAN