The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/362774
BASKETBALL RECRUITING Murray (6‑3, 180), who is rumored to be considering reclassifying to 2015, is in that group. However, the No. 18 recruit in the 2016 class according to Rivals.com would have to visit Ann Arbor to get an offer. Duke, meanwhile, is the latest to offer elite class of 2016 power forward T.J. Leaf, and it was an eye‑opener for his family. The 6‑9 standout out of El Cajon (Calif.) Foothills Christian, Rivals. com's No. 20 ju‑ nior prospect na‑ tionally, is now being recruited by programs coast to coast after an out‑ standing summer. Leaf's Compton Magic AAU team had some strug‑ gles getting accli‑ mated to playing together for the first time this sum‑ mer, but it didn't prevent Leaf from showing off his versatile arsenal. He shot the ball extremely well and passed it even better in Indianapolis at the adidas Gauntlet. "I never thought he'd be at this level two years ago," his father and coach, Brad Leaf, said. "He keeps developing his skills. He's got a near seven‑foot wingspan, and he keeps growing. He knows he's going to drop from these schools' lists if he doesn't continue to improve his skill level. "He's got a great attitude. He works hard every time he's on the court, and when he steps on that court he tries to play harder than everybody." Duke watched Leaf play in Chicago, and head coach Mike Krzyzewski saw him up close in Colorado Springs during Team USA U‑17 tryouts (he was in the final 17 before being cut). "Coach K. is p r o b a b l y o n e o f t h e b i g g e s t names out there in coaches," Leaf told Krossover. com's Dan Pone‑ man. "He's a Hall of Fame coach, and he coaches the USA team … [When we spoke] I was like, 'Dang, I just talked to Coach K.'" Leaf will take a visit to the school in the near future, and he'll see Ari‑ zona and Arizona State soon as well. "You definitely want to make sure about these schools, and you really in‑ vestigate them," Brad Leaf said. "You want to see if that school is a fit for you personally. These programs are all great. With or without T.J., they're go‑ ing to be successful. It's about finding the right fit for T.J. Leaf." El Cajon (Calif.) Foothills Christian power forward T.J. Leaf, the nation's No. 20 junior prospect according to Rivals.com, is expected to take an official visit to Ann Arbor. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM