The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/315684
2014 BASKETBALL RECRUITING ISSUE Wolverines on Oct. 6 over Gonzaga, the other school showing the most interest. "D.J. is just oozing with potential," said Beilein after Wilson signed in the fall. "He is very skilled and can become an excellent combo forward for us. He has great length and can play above the rim because of his athleticism. As he fills into his 6-9 frame his outstanding work habits will be a great asset to him in his development." Wilson entered his senior season ready to prove analysts wrong when they left him off their lists of the top- 100 prospects, and he did. He fin- ished his career with an outstand- ing senior season, leading Capital Christian to the California Northern Open Division championship game. Playing against powerful (and much bigger) Bishop O'Dowd High School, featuring 6-10 Ivan Rabb, the nation's No. 3 junior recruit, Wilson finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots. It was the best game of his career. He ran the floor, hit jump shots, dunked with authority and defended in a 70-60 loss that put him on the map as one of the nation's top-100 players. That might be enough to satisfy many players. It only fueled Wilson's motivation for more. "It was [satisfying] and it wasn't," he said. "I wanted to win a state championship. That was all I had focused on, all year. Also, I had to play underneath the basket, and I don't think people got to see my full ability. I didn't get to shoot as much as I could have, but when I did I felt pretty good." His jumper is one of his strengths, and why many believe he'll be an ideal face-up four man in Beilein's Wilson, a 6-9, 220-pound power forward from Sacramento (Calif.) Capital Christian, was ranked a four-star prospect and the No. 86 player in the country by Rivals.com. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM