The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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BASKETBALL RECRUITING Class Of 2014 Targets Continue To Emerge coaches turn their eyes to the sopho- mores. In actuality, they've been watch- ing the young guys for a few years now — with summer approaching, though, some will be in line for offers in just a few months, meaning their recruitments are heating up. Grand Rapids (Mich.) Christian's W BY CHRIS BALAS ith the classes of 2012 and 2013 essentially complete, Michigan proved because he's worked at it. Lots of kids want to get out and play, but to work in the gym is different. He works at it. "If he continues to improve, fills out and grows, I think his potential is limit- less. He has the body where you just look at him and say, 'That's what a basketball player should look like.'" Bates-Diop insists he hasn't thought about a decision date, but knows de- termining factors will include "a place where I'll have good relationships there with the coaches, overall atmosphere and a good academic school." He's formed a friendship with U-M assistant LaVall Jordan. "I talk to Coach Jordan the most," he Drake Harris (6-4, 180), a Rivals.com four-star prospect, remains high on the list and has two Big Ten offers in Indiana and Michigan State. Among the others the Wolverines are watching closely are Lisle (Ill.) Benet Academy big man Sean O'Mara and Normal (Ill.) University wing Keita Bates-Diop. O'Mara (6-8, 235) plays offensive tackle on the Benet Academy football team, but basketball will be his sport at the next level. Michigan coaches first saw him on the AAU circuit last summer playing with IBA Select, and the rela- tionship started to build from there, with mutual interest on both sides. O'Mara knew a little about the Wol- verines — he has family in Grand Blanc, Mich., including his grandparents — but is getting more up to speed on the pro- gram, having visited for a January win over Wisconsin. "They seem really involved with all Four-star guard Drake Harris of Grand Rapids (Mich.) Christian is high on U-M's list, and has already received offers from Michigan State and Indiana. said. "He's a good guy. I can talk to him about anything." SIGNEES, COMMITMENTS PLAYING WELL In the class of 2013, Fort Wayne (Ind.) Canterbury's Austin Hatch (6-6 200, Ri- vals.com three-star prospect) remains sidelined for the season while recovering from serious injuries suffered in a June plane crash. Here's a look at how his future teammates' seasons have gone (as of Feb. 13). PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM it. O'Mara averages around 16 points and eight rebounds per game. Bates-Diop, meanwhile, was in for one Soon, though, he'll have to get used to day of the Michigan summer camp and plans to return this summer, and he also visited for the Wisconsin win. "It was a really good visit," Bates- their players," he said. "I really like Coach LaVall Jordan and Coach [Ba- cari] Alexander. I talked to Coach [John] Beilein after the game, and he seems to be pretty cool. I'd like to play for him." Iowa, Wisconsin and Northwestern are Diop said. "They showed me the reno- vated arena, the locker room. The game was great. The atmosphere was really impressive. "I like the way they play. They have among the others to have shown interest, and more are sure to follow. He's already picked up his first offer, from Illinois- Chicago. "It doesn't really matter, but the Mid- Class of 2012 NICK STAUSKAS, SG 6-6, 200 Southborough (Mass.) St. Mark's Rivals.com No. 79 senior nationally long players, athletic players and shoot- ers, and I like the way they use them in their offense." Bates-Diop is similarly intriguing west would be cool because it's near a lot of family. They'd be able to get out to a lot of my games," he said, adding Michi- gan might be his favorite. "Coming into my freshman year, even before school year started I got invited to visit Iowa with my AAU coach. I expected to go out and walk around the school, but didn't expect to meet the coaches, watch them practice on their floor and stuff like that. That was a shocker." 94 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2012 He scored 16 points in a 76-50 win over Belmont Hill Feb. 1, notched 16 in an 88-38 blowout of St. Sebas- tian's Feb. 8 and scored 23 in a 78-56 victory over Governor's Academy Feb. 11 for a St. Mark's teams that stands 19-1 on the season. Stauskas reported that he was averaging 19 points and eight rebounds per game. Stauskas continues to play well. with his 7-1 wingspan and aggressive approach on the offensive end. Head coach Bob Fitzgerald said in December he thought his player had taken the next step in his development. "Last year he was 6-5 and about 100 pounds, and this year he is 6-7 and 190. He spent every day in the gym after last season ended," Fitzgerald said. "He's a tremendous kid, very humble and unbe- lievably coachable. I couldn't ask for a nicer kid to coach. In fact, sometimes he's too nice. He's just physically im- GLENN ROBINSON, SF 6-6 • 205 St. John (Ind.) Lake Central Rivals.com No. 34 senior nationally in the fourth quarter, in a 70-48 win over Chesterton (Ind.) Jan. 27. He notched 21 in a 62-20 win over Por- tage Feb. 3, shooting 6 of 8 from the floor and 9 of 10 from the free throw line. "I thought he was pretty doggone Robinson scored 16, including nine efficient," head coach Dave Milaus- nic told NWITimes.com. "He had a