The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/678402
2016 BASKETBALL RECRUITING ISSUE have any trouble once he gets used to it. "He's going to be a really good re- bounder. He's the kind of kid you see at Wisconsin in his junior or se- nior year and say, 'Where did that kid come from?' He has a great attitude and loves Michigan." Some labeled Michigan's new twin towers as projects, to which Beilein responded, "Wait and see." "People can say whatever they want to say," he added. "These guys are going to be really good players." Gladstone (N.J.) Gill St. Bernard's School shooting guard Battle was Michigan's next to commit, offer- ing his verbal in May 2015, but he rescinded the following month. The 6-6 wing, Rivals.com's No. 25 player and a five-star talent in the 2016 class, pledged to Syracuse several weeks later. The fallout wasn't limited to his de- parture. The Wolverines had been in good shape for Madison (Ala.) Acad- emy five-star Josh Langford as well, but had no room for him after Battle's pledge, still in need of a point guard. The 6-6, 200-pound shooting guard (Rivals.com's No. 18 senior nation- ally) then pledged to Michigan State, adding insult to injury. Michigan coaches didn't waste time moving on to their next target. Pickerington (Ohio) Central's Ibi Wat- son (6-5, 180, Rivals.com three-star prospect) had been hopeful for a U-M offer since camping at the school in the summer of 2013, and he would get his chance to earn it. Like Davis, Watson needed to prove himself in the summer before being awarded an offer. Some Ohio analysts had branded him a shooter first and second, and Beilein chal- lenged him to be more assertive with the ball in his hands against good competition to round out his game. He responded, averaging 19.3 points per game. He scored 26 in his last game with Central — 21 in the second half — a regional semifinal loss to Westerville. "Throwing down several big slams, Watson was dominant on the drive," 270Hoops.com reported. That would be music to Beilein's ears. "I believe he can contribute imme- Ibi Watson scored 20 points in his South team's win over the North in the Ohio North- South All-Star game held in April. Future teammates Xavier Simpson and Jon Teske were on the North squad. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN