The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/703389
BASKETBALL RECRUITING showed me a pretty cool presen- tation on Michigan — everything from academics to facilities, to style of play, to how they bring play- ers in and make them a lot better coming out of the program and a lot bigger. "I do like them. It's a great pro- gram — it's Michigan, obviously." JAMAL CAIN, SF, 2017 Pontiac (Mich.) Cornerstone 6-7 • 175 Rivals.com No. 74 senior nationally Cain averaged 13.1 points per game for The Family on the Nike EYBL circuit and saved his best for last in Atlanta in June. He scored 16 points or more in four of his last five games and had one game of 25 points. He shot 50 percent from the floor and 37 percent from three- point range in 16 contests. Several southeast Michigan products have taken their games out of state to prep schools, but Cain chose to stay and play for Pontiac Cornerstone. He's been a rock for the program and has con- tinued to improve, averaging 26.0 points, 15.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game last sea- son. Michigan offered Cain follow- ing an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor April 27. "I thought the classes would be far away from the dorms, but re- ally, it's perfect … I like it," he said. "And the way they play — they get up and down the court with two or three passes, finish at the rim hard. ON THE CUSP Five others closing in on a Michigan offer: • Isaiah Livers, 2017 PF, Kalamazoo Cen- tral High: At 6‑8, 205 pounds with a nice stroke, Livers fits the bill as a U‑M power forward. Rivals.com's No. 114 senior en‑ joyed a great visit to Michigan in June and could be a strong addition. • Kevin Easley, 2018 PF, Indianapolis North Central High: The 6‑6, 185‑pounder is Rivals.com's No. 85 junior and had a very solid summer. He played well at the Michigan team camp. •Robby Carmody, 2018 SG, Mars (Pa.) High: At 6‑4, 175 pounds, Rivals.com's No. 86 junior does just about everything well. He holds offers from Louisville and Notre Dame, among others, and visited in June. He's been to Purdue three times. • Cormac Ryan, 2018 PG, Milton (Mass.) Academy: The 6‑5, 190‑pounder remains a well‑kept secret, but he could well receive an offer at the Aug. 6 College Practice Camp. He has earned interest from many after averaging 21 points per game at Milton Academy, and the out‑ standing student is hearing from Stan‑ ford, Notre Dame and others, in addition to U‑M. • Thomas Kithier, 2018 PF, Ma- comb (Mich.) Dakota High: The 6‑8, 210‑pound Kithier, Rivals.com's No. 90 junior, broke into the top 100 with a great spring and earned a Michigan State offer. His latest U‑M unofficial visit in July was yet another winner. "The visit was great," he said. "They said an offer is coming soon if I keep on im‑ proving my perimeter game in July."