The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/402034
BASKETBALL RECRUITING "He said he loves him and thinks he is the best pure point guard in high school, and that he would love to have him," Thornton Sr. said of Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski's message to his son. They'll be in Ann Arbor, too, during the week instead of a weekend so they can see school in session. They're still working on the date. Thornton plans to cut his list to seven soon, and he has a top three. Though he's not ready to release it, U‑M is undoubtedly in that elite group. Michigan's most recent offer went out in September to St. Louis Chami‑ nade class of 2016 forward Tyler Cook. The 6‑8 standout, Rivals.com's No. 93 junior nationally, visited Ann Arbor over the summer and left ex‑ tremely impressed with the program. Before late June, Cook was "just an‑ other guy." He blew up though, earn‑ ing an offer from Kansas with an in‑ credible showing at the team's camp, and is now considered a borderline elite talent in a loaded 2016 class. "He has a ton of talent," St. Louis Eagles president/director Tim Hollo‑ way said. "He had to get to the point where he could realize it himself. In early July, something clicked. He real‑ ized he could dominate games, and that was something I was telling him starting in the spring. "By 'dominate,' I explained to him that's not always scoring points, but also by rebounding, blocking shots, being a presence in the paint. We were all just super ecstatic to see it click at the end of summer, and now we're looking forward to great things dur‑ ing this school year and next summer, as well." The Kansas offer solidified some of the things his coaches had been telling him regarding his talent, and that's when Cook really started to believe in himself, Holloway added. A very humble, quiet, likeable kid, Cook needed that big offer to let him know he was legit and could play at that level. "We knew it. As coaches, you want the kids to get it," Holloway said. "We're not on the court doing it. "He did it this summer in so many areas. There were games he just dominated with his presence. He's got great hands, and he's worked on his low post moves. We told him this offseason to get stronger, continue to work and get in better shape. He's done that." Cook is probably a college power forward, Holloway noted. He'll step back every now and then to prove he can hit a triple before his coaches coax him back on the block. He's in the gym constantly work‑ ing on his shot, and though he's not really a stretch four at this point, his face‑up game is now something to be reckoned with. He can hit 10‑ to 12‑footers off the glass with regularity, has developed spin moves right and left, and is a very good finisher. His length, meanwhile, makes him a formidable shot blocker, though he's not exactly an explosive leaper. Though the Kansas offer blew him away, he's got everyone on the same level.