The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/418536
BASKETBALL RECRUITING going to college in the U.S. and play- ing at a high level had always been a goal, but so is playing professionally. He's a skilled forward who can shoot and put the ball on the floor, uses both hands well and is an outstanding fin- isher. He plans to decide early next year. Back in the U.S., Marietta (Ga.) Wheeler standout Jaylen Brown, a five-star wing and Rivals.com's No. 2 senior nationally, raised some eye- brows when he added the Wolverines to his already impressive and exten- sive list of programs recruiting him. Though some have gotten a head start, Brown insisted nobody holds the ad- vantage. Brown has already visited Kansas, Kentucky and UCLA, and Eric Bossi of Rivals.com reported those three are considered the three favorites. Michi- gan and North Carolina are poten- tially in line for his two other official visits, while Georgia and Georgia Tech are likely to receive unofficial visits. "Half of my family went to Michi- gan and the other half went to Michi- gan State," the 6-7, 200-pounder said. "Michigan had never recruited me before and my uncle was wondering why, so he reached out to them. They called to see if I had interest and I said, 'Sure, I'll check them out.'" U-M's resurgence as a national power has been a big factor in Brown's interest. "I like how they develop their play- ers," he said. "A lot of their players aren't highly rated guys, and they turn them into lottery picks like Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway and Nik Stauskas. I like how they play and have freedom within their system." North Carolina, meanwhile, has "always been a dream school," he added. Head coach Roy Williams didn't initially recruit him due to a stockpile of talent at Brown's po- sition, but he called in October to let Brown know he had room and wanted him to visit. "He's a powerful wing, a transition finisher and very strong attacking the basket in the halfcourt," Bossi as- sessed. "He will rebound and can be a very good defender. His jump shot and ball handling are coming along." Fort Wayne (Ind.) Homestead cen- ter Caleb Swanigan is the only other senior currently on Michigan's radar, though he has yet to set an official visit. Swanigan was an out-of-shape junior-to-be when we caught him at the Michigan Elite Camp two sum- mers ago, but he's dropped 30 pounds to emerge as one of the top big men in his class. The 6-8, 255-pounder — Rivals.com's No. 16 senior nationally and a five-star prospect — reclassified from 2016 and his recruitment "looks to be about as clear as mud," Bossi reported recently. "Arizona, Duke and Kentucky have gotten recent visits, while Cal, Michigan State and Purdue are among the others in the race." Class Of 2016 Commitment Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School) Jon Teske C 6-11 215 Medina, Ohio (Medina)