The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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That said, basketball style was al- ways going to play a part. McGary's skill set is such that he can play in- side and out, boasting an outstanding jump shot and some ball-handling skills. He won't be just another back- to-the-basket player who gets limited touches, Brumm noted. "The system is a good fit," Brumm said. "Mitch can reach his NBA goals in that offense that gives the post a lot of touches. They've got to be very skilled because they've got to be able to bounce it, pass it and shoot it, start- ing the offense at the three-point line instead of with your back to the bas- ket, two or three feet from the basket. "The system was really attractive. A five-star recruit, McGary averaged 22.0 points, 13.3 rebounds, 5.0 blocks and 3.0 assists a game two years ago at Chesterton (Ind.) High. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM Alexander had "become like an un- cle." He sat with Novak, his former teammate and captain at Chesterton (Ind.) High, where he spent three years before heading off to Brewster, and celebrated each score as though he were already a student. Michigan, with its very good sea- son last year (fourth in the Big Ten, third-round NCAA exit), commit- ment to making its facilities among the best in the country and outstand- ing recruiting efforts in the last few years, is closing quickly on the Dukes of the world, Brumm said. With all else being equal, there was one key factor that was going to make the difference. "It's 'Where do I feel most comfort- able?' That's for Mitch to answer," he said. "I can't answer that. Mom and Dad can't answer that. Nobody can answer that, because in every player's career there comes a time … that freshman year is a tough year. You question, 'Do I still have that fire to play basketball?' Coaches are yelling at you, and those tough times come. It's much easier to get over those hurdles when you're at a place you want to be at." "A PERFECT FIT" But even after the great visit in which they emerged as a leader, the Michigan coaches knew they'd have to sweat it out. McGary's trip to Duke went as well as expected, and coach Mike Krzyzweski's in-home was even better. At one point, Mc- Gary admitted, 'Coach K' had pretty much sold his parents, saying a lot 72 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2011 given how comfortable they'd be- come with Beilein and the Michigan staff. "I told them it might have been the best visit for them overall, but it wasn't about them — it was about me," McGary recalled. "I was the one that was going to be going to school there." The Michigan team, including No- vak, had become his great friends. Robinson III, his longtime AAU teammate and another of the nation's best players, had become one of his best friends, and he meshed well with the U-M students. "It was basically my comfort level there. As soon as I got on campus, I knew I couldn't go anywhere else," Rivals.com's Jerry Meyer "Michigan basically beat out every school in the country for the top post player in the 2012 class." McGary said. "The way my future teammates were welcoming me, I felt like I was a part of the team the first day I stepped on campus for a visit. And how much trust I have in the coaches already … I really trust them. They did a great job recruiting me." He had his parents' support no matter where he ended up, McGary added, and leaned on them through- out the entire process. Novak, too, was always there to lend an ear, though the two discussed just about everything but recruiting when they talked or texted. Novak even advised him to go where he felt most comfort- able, never pushing him to Michigan. McGary already has an NBA frame, and he put up great numbers last year at Brewster, helping the Bobcats to a 33-3 record and the NEPSAC Class AAA semifinal while averaging 12.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 blocks per game. He averaged 22.0 points, 13.3 re- bounds, 5.0 blocks and 3.0 assists as a junior at Chesterton, leading the Trojans to the 4A sectional qualifier, and spent the next several months whipping his body into shape. Unlike other recruits of his stature, however, McGary doesn't seem to be in an extreme hurry to get to the next level. The players, too, feed off the coach- ing staff. They've really developed a great esprit de corps with the kids." THE IMPACT Rivals.com, however, point out that the same staff will now have to deal with an issue Beilein hasn't faced too much in his three-plus de- cades as a head coach — the pros- pect of players leaving early for the NBA. So far, though, he's handled it quite well. The Wolverines lost wing Manny Harris after three years and rebounded with a great season be- hind sophomore point guard Darius Morris. Morris' early departure for the NBA opened a door for freshman point guard Trey Burke, and the Wol- verines don't seem to have missed a beat, starting 5-2 with impressive wins over No. 8 Memphis and UCLA.