The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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BASKETBALL RECRUITING portedly visited Michigan State re- cently and has added the Spartans to his list. He did call Michigan his "strong front-runner" after receiv- ing a June offer, while Missouri (his father's alma mater) is also high on his list. Alabama, Florida and Missis- sippi are among the others that have offered. Booker reportedly wasn't at his best at the end of summer after tear- ing it up in spring and early summer, but he had his moments. GopherIl- lustrated.com's Ryan James caught ing 2013 prospects, including Pat- erson, N.J., four-star forward Reggie Cameron (Rivals.com No. 91 player nationally) and now 6-7 forward Ni- gel Hayes. The three-star power for- ward from All-Ohio Red and Toledo (Ohio) Whitmer earned offers from Minnesota and Wisconsin in June, but Ohio State could be the team to beat after offering recently. "Ohio State is a school I've always wanted to go to," Hayes said. "Get- Michigan coaches are still recruit- NOTES ting this offer showed that my hard work has finally paid off. It feels great. frame for a decision. Cameron, too, has said he'd take no more visits in August. He could visit U-M officially in September. That said, Hayes still has no time- " him at the late-July Super Showcase in Orlando, Fla., where U-M head coach John Beilein watched Booker closely. "Booker started the game with a score, but then missed his next six attempts while struggling to find a rhythm," James reported. "Booker found ways to contribute elsewhere by being the primary ball handler as well as harassing opposing guards with constant pressure and grabbing six boards. "There aren't many near five-star talents who consistently defend like Booker did today, and at his 6-foot-5 height he was menacing. In one game, he forced three turnovers in- cluding one where a guard just fell over in the corner after Booker forced him off balance. "In the second half Booker knocked ett said during the July adidas Invi- tational. "But I just play. I don't really worry too much about the colleges and things like that. But I can't help but see them when they're wearing those bright yellow shirts. "The coaches kid around with me all the time. When you have that, you already know they're open with me. That's the type of relationship I want with my coaches, so they already have a head start in that." Butler, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas State, Louisville, Notre Dame, Purdue, Virginia and Xavier have joined Michigan in offering. Bluiett isn't likely to decide before his junior season. Jae'sean Tate, SF, Pickerington, down a trey and a pair of smooth pull-ups attacking right or left, which had defenders constantly on their heels. He was able to create regular separation, plus the lift on his jumper allows him to get clean looks even when defenders stick on hip." Booker has backpedaled a bit on Ohio: Michigan's Columbus, Ohio, area pipeline has brought talent to both the football and basketball pro- grams recently, including standout point guard Trey Burke and incom- ing freshman shooting guard Caris LeVert on the hoops side. Now, Tate is earning notice as one of the top players in his class at No. 63 overall. The 6-5, 200-pounder has heard naming favorites, but he's consis- tently said Michigan would be there at the end. Some thought the end of his recruitment might come sooner than later, but he could extend his recruitment should the interest con- tinue to pick up. Trevon Bluiett, SF, Indianapolis, Ind.: The 6-5 Bluiett was one of the Spiece Indy Heat program's bright spots at the late-July Peach Jam, scoring 19 points in a loss to Team Final that knocked the Heat from the tourna- ment. He scored 14 in a Spiece tour- nament (Fort Wayne, Ind.) semifinal loss to former U-M target Demetrius Jackson and MBA Select days later. Bluiett has visited Indiana, Michi- gan and Butler, and might take a few visits this fall. "Maybe in August I'll go to Indi- ana," Bluiett said. "I'm going to Il- linois and Kansas State, but really don't have any visits planned for IU. But I definitely want to go visit there again. "I'll start narrowing it down after U-M is still recruiting class of 2013 pros- pects, including three-star power forward Nigel Hayes of Toledo (Ohio) Whitmer. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM July and hopefully have something then." Michigan coaches followed Blui- ett's every move this summer as al- lowed by the NCAA. "I notice them in the stands," Blui- plenty from Michigan recently, and he visited in early July. "I hear from Trey every now and then, usually when he comes back home," Tate said. "Mostly I hear from Caris because he went to my school and we won the state championship." Tate has noticed Michigan coaches following him this summer on the AAU circuit and lists the Wolverines as one of a handful in which he's interested. Iowa, Dayton and Xavier offered earlier this summer, while Purdue and Butler have been watch- ing him closely. Tate has received offers from both Ohio State and Michigan in recent weeks. Tate's father played for the Buckeyes, and that has helped Ohio State remain in good standing. "I was just so surprised it hap- pened. I was shocked," he said, add- ing he wasn't sure if the Buckeyes' offer changed the game for him — or about a timetable for a possible com- mitment. He's also extremely high on the Wolverines. "It's a great program," he said. "I love the way the fans show love for both the football and basketball pro- grams. That's big." Among the other 2014 prospects on the watch list that might be in line for offers if and when they visit: SEPTEMBER 2012 THE WOLVERINE 81