The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/347495
BASKETBALL RECRUITING BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan basketball is still look- ing for its first class of 2015 commitment, but head coach John Beilein and his staff are now extend- ing offers to the 2016 group. It started June 15 when they doled out seven — a few more than expected — to some of the nation's most talented players, and a few who remain a bit under the radar. Here's the latest on where things stand with the offered juniors. DERRYCK THORNTON JR., PG 6-1 • 165 Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep Rankings: Rivals.com No. 11 junior nationally Notable Offers: Kentucky, Arizona, UNLV, USC The latest on Thornton: Michigan got in early with arguably the nation's top point guard in any class, and the Wolverines are still in very good shape for Thornton, now a five-star and recent MVP of both the NBPA Top 100 and Stephen Curry camps. He was shin- ing at the Reebok Breakout July 10, as well, with Rivals.com's Eric Bossi reporting, "Thornton ran the show and set up teammates while playing tough defense." Assistant coach Jeff Meyer coached Thornton's father, Derryck Sr., at Lib- erty University in the 1990s, and the two have maintained a great relation- ship. There's a high level of mutual respect there. The Thorntons love what the U-M coaches have done with their guards, and though it's not clear when the rising junior will decide, it is apparent that Michigan will be in it until the end. TYUS BATTLE, SG 6-5 • 180 Gladstone (N.J.) Gill St. Bernard Rankings: Rivals.com No. 25 junior nationally Notable Offers: Syracuse, Villanova, Miami (Fla.), UConn The latest on Battle: Good friends with Thornton Jr. due to their time together on the AAU circuit (since sixth grade), Battle is among the nation's top shoot- ing guards and would be a strong complement to his friend. Though not necessarily a package deal, the two would like to play together in college. Battle fell from five-star status (No. 11 overall nationally) to four-star re- cently, but played very well at the Stephen Curry camp in July and is now a priority for both UConn and Florida. Duke is also picking up its interest. The U-M coaches and the Michigan experience wowed him, but there's some stiff competition. BASKETBALL RECRUITING Michigan's Offer List Continues To Expand