The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/362774
BASKETBALL RECRUITING ably be ranked higher if it weren't for a series of injuries, Bossi reported in the spring. Langford shut it down over the summer not because of in‑ juries — he just to take a step back, Langford's father, Tellus, said, but he showed enough in the spring to earn Bossi's respect. "Langford has been bugged by in‑ juries for a while now, and his lofty ranking was more a function of the promise and production he showed early in his high school career," Bossi wrote after seeing Langford at the adi‑ das Gauntlet in Dallas during June. "Now, Langford can finally play at that level again, and it is more of a case of him proving that his ranking is legitimate and not based on previous reputation. "I love the balance in his game, the way he can attack from the wing and that he is a solid player. He will need to become more of a threat as a jump shooter, but Langford's all‑around play in Dallas was impressive. The 6‑4 guard has tremendous explosion, a solid build and a well‑rounded floor game. He looked confident and the production followed." He's been working out every day, his father said, in preparation for his junior year. Langford averaged 22 points and eight rebounds per game to earn Ga‑ torade Player of the Year honors for Alabama as a freshman, and he raised his totals to 24 points, seven rebounds and four assists last year. He has ex‑ cellent ball‑handling skills, can excel anywhere from the point guard to the wing, and is continuing to improve his jump shot. The junior to be is now 6‑6, 200 pounds, according to his father, and being recruited by schools coast to coast. Alabama offered him before he was in high school, while Michigan and Michigan State have been on him for a while, as well. Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, UCLA, Providence, Okla‑ homa State and Auburn are among the others seriously involved, and the list is growing. Michigan saw him play in Dallas. "He and Coach Beilein talk all the time," the elder Langford said. "He re‑ ally likes Michigan. They are the aris‑ tocracy of educational institutions and also have a good basketball program. They have had good success develop‑ ing pros, so why not get a great educa‑ tion while pursuing his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA?" Langford toured Michigan State Aug. 9 after visiting Ann Arbor. He picked up offers from both schools on his visits. Following his MSU offer, Langford sent a text that said he was "humbled by both offers," but had no timetable for a decision. On Aug. 10, his father texted, "we are not going to do any interviews un‑ til we visit a few more schools, but this weekend was a humbling and very special occasion." U-M STILL STRONG WITH SEVERAL JUNIORS Michigan appears to be in good standing with a number of prospects in the 2016 class. Kitchener (Ontario) Athlete Institute point guard Jamal