The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/315684
2014 BASKETBALL RECRUITING ISSUE continues to shoot as well as he did at the end of the year. Wilson averaged 14.0 points per game. He might need a year or two to ad- just to the college game, Bossi added — then again he might not. "He's got untapped potential with his body," Jordan said. "We saw what happened when Nik Stauskas tapped into the physical part after never really lifting weights in the summer. "D.J. has high skill level for his size, now 6-9 with a 7-2 wing span, and he's very versatile. Now add the strength and conditioning piece, a system with some freedom and good teammates around him … the sky is the limit." He's got that chip on his shoulder, Meyer added, as an under-recruited prospect. Gonzaga and others were on him early, but many passed on him. Allentown (Pa.) Central Catholic's Rahkman is another who feels he has something to prove. Pitt and others tried to get involved after Michigan started following him late in the game, but he loved what he found at U-M on his official visit. He committed April 18. He's a winner first and foremost, Jor- dan said, pointing out Central Catho- lic's 29-1 record last year. "He has a competitive spirit about him, a will about him," Jordan said. "He made big shots — he had big mo- ments in big games to propel his team to victories. "Then you look at his skill level and his ball-handling ability. He can attack the paint and finish at the rim with contact, he's creative, and then he can make plays for others as well." Bossi saw enough on film in two Top Five Big Ten Recruits 1. De'Angelo Russell, Ohio State: The 6-5, Montverde (Fla.) Academy shooting guard, Rivals.com's No. 18 senior nationally, is similar to former UConn star Jeremy Lamb, Rivals. com's Eric Bossi notes — a confident jump shooter who can handle and pass it a bit. 2. James Blackmon, Indiana: He's the Big Ten's only other five-star prospect (Rivals.com's No. 21 senior nationally), and he might be under- rated. He's possibly the best shooter in the 2014 class, and he can score off the dribble, too. 3. Kameron Chatman, Michigan: Now 6-8 and 213 pounds, Rivals. com's No. 25 senior nationally might be the most versatile player in his class. He can shoot, pass and dribble, and might even be able to play some point guard in a pinch. 4. Keita Bates-Diop, Ohio State: The 6-7, 190-pounder, Rivals.com's No. 26 senior nationally, could play either the three or the four for the Buckeyes. He's very good on the baseline and loves the corner triple. 5. Romelo Trimble, Maryland: Trimble, Rivals.com's No. 39 senior nationally, is a 6-3 sniper and an- other of the nation's top shooters. He could also be serviceable at the point, if necessary. — Chris Balas