The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/71730
Luke Kennard Heads 2015 Watch List sophomores, with one — Franklin (Ohio) small forward Luke Kennard (6-5, 180) — already listing the Wolver- ines among his favorites. Kennard is a deadly shooter who Michigan coaches have already made inroads with some outstanding rising can also get to the rim. He was the leading scorer for a Franklin team that went 20-0 in the regular season, averaging 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists per game. "He can shoot with anybody," King James Shooting Stars 15 and Under AAU coach Glen Galemmo said. "He can get to the rack on anybody, too. He's big enough to post up if he has someone a little smaller guarding him, and he comes of the pick and shoots with anybody in America." Dayton has already offered, while Kennard, a 6-5, 180-pound rising sophomore small forward from Franklin, Ohio, who averaged 17 points last season, already lists the Wolverines among his favorites. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM Indiana, Ohio State and West Virginia are showing serious interest in addi- tion to Michigan. "I've heard a lot from Michigan," and that's what I want from a college." Two other high-profile freshmen to watch on what's sure to be an expand- Kennard said. "I love the coaching staff, and I love the entire program. They make me feel right at home, ing list: • Hyron Edwards, PG, East Chicago (Ind.) Central: The 5-10, 160-pound Last season as a sophomore, Trevon Bluiett led the Class 2A Indiana state champions in scoring at 19.0 points per game, while add- ing 8.9 rebounds per contest. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM Trevon Bluiett 6-5 • 185 • SF Indianapolis Park Tudor Rivals.com's No. 47 rising junior nationally Bluiett seems himself as a shooting Edwards was one of the more impressive players at the recent Spiece Run 'n Slam held in Fort Wayne, Ind., regardless of class. He already holds Indiana and Purdue offers, and lists Michigan among those two as schools in which he has the most interest, at least in the early going. "He's very athletic, quick and explosive, but he's pass first most of the time," Indiana Elite 15 and Under AAU coach Mark Adams said. "He loves to create for his teammates. He's really the whole package." Edwards averaged 14.5 points and 8.0 assists per game as a freshman. He's also heard from Illinois recently, but he likes what he's seen from Michigan and its recruiting success with Indiana athletes. "I talk to Coach [LaVall] Jordan a lot. I talked to him about a week ago, and he told me I need to come up there for a visit, for the camp if I can," he said. "I really like the program." • Karl Towns, PF, Metuchen (N.J.) St. Joseph: The 6-10, 225-pound Towns is one of the most highly recruited rising sophomores in the country and will have his choice of schools when it comes time to decide. He can shoot the ball and is extremely skilled for his size. "There aren't many players in the country, let alone on the East Coast, guard at the next level, but he ac- knowledges he'll need to slim down and get quicker to make it happen. Though not the most athletic player in his class, he knows how to play, Rivals.com's Eric Bossi reported from the recent Nike EYBL event in Hampton, Va. "He doesn't strike you as the best ball handler or the most danger- ous shooter, but the guy has a com- manding feel for the game and is a throwback player with a skill and craft-based game like Mark Aguirre and Adrian Dantley had back in their day," Bossi reported. "The guy pro- duces at a high level and gets the job done." Bluiett led the Class 2A Indiana who are generating more buzz," Rivals.com's Eric Bossi reported. "He put up good numbers as a freshman and has coaches from high major programs salivating." Michigan entered the fray a bit later than some, but Towns has always liked the Wolverines, having followed both the football and basketball programs. He's been in contact with U-M coaches. "A lot of schools are coming after me, but I've always had interest in North Carolina," he said in late April. "I always support Carolina. Even my social stud- ies teacher went there and is a graduate of North Carolina. Looking at all of the schools, I really love North Carolina." Baylor, Kentucky, Ohio State, Michigan State, Rutgers, Seton Hall, and Florida are among the others he lists. 30 THE WOLVERINE JUNE/JULY 2012 state champions in scoring at 19.0 points per game, reportedly shooting an incredible 70.8 percent from the floor. He also hauled in 8.9 rebounds per game in proving his versatility. "He can shoot, bring it up, handle and post," Spiece Indy Heat coach Casey Adams reported. "At about 6-5, that's a positive for a team. He has a lot of talent. "He really took pride in his de- fense this year. That was a big ques- tion mark for him, and he's really improved that area of his game."