The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/822315
JUNE/JULY 2017 THE WOLVERINE 53 2017 BASKETBALL RECRUITING ISSUE Northwestern, Stanford, Notre Dame and Yale, which is his parents' alma mater and where his brother is now, are among those also firmly in the mix. "I'm definitely open right now … I'm happy where recruiting is right now and just looking forward to con- tinuing to play," he said. ROBBY CARMODY (OFFERED) 6-4 • 175 • SG Mars (Pa.) High School Rivals.com's No. 99 Junior Nationally Carmody helped lead his Mars team to the quarter- finals of the Penn- sylvania Class 5A quarterfinals, and averaged 26 points, 13 rebounds, five as- sists and three steals per game during his junior season. He has picked up interest from many schools in the Big Ten, and Michigan has been one of his constants. The four-star has been pleased with his efforts for the Ohio Basket- ball Club during spring AAU play. "I think I've played really well," he said. "I'm working a lot on my shot, and it's showing. So far, I think I've been showing stuff that coaches wanted me to improve." Two programs made in-home visits with Carmody at the end of April, but Michigan wasn't one of them. Notre Dame and Purdue were the two, and both programs made an impression. "Everything went great with Coach [Mike] Brey [of Notre Dame]," Car- mody said. "It was awesome to see him … it was really cool having him stop by. It meant a lot and showed how highly they think of me." Northwestern, meanwhile, made an impression with its first NCAA Tournament appearance, while Michigan is right up there. "It definitely made me see them in a new light," he said of Northwest- ern. "They're a program on the rise. They really seem to have a great fol- lowing that cares about the team. … "Michigan is one of my favorite schools. I love Coach Beilein and what the program is all about." Michigan, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Purdue, Butler, Pitt and Penn State are all slated to get visits, and he said Notre Dame, Michigan, Purdue, Syr- acuse and Butler were among those recruiting him hardest. Making a final decision will be tough, he added. "One of the biggest things is the education I'm going to get," Car- mody said. "One of these days the ball will stop bouncing for me, and I'm going to have to have something to fall back on. "The education I'm going to get is a big thing for me." PETE NANCE 6-8 • 205 • PF Cleveland Revere Rivals.com's No. 39 Junior Nationally Nance has risen dramatically in the rankings and is beginning to emerge as a special talent out of the 2018 class. The younger brother of Los Angeles Lakers for- ward Larry Nance Jr., a former U-M target who went to Wyo- ming, and the son of former NBA star Larry Nance is hav- ing a great spring. Nance is playing for the Akron Bobcats AAU program off the shoe-sponsored circuit, so he's been under the radar. Michigan, Ohio State, Purdue and Northwestern know all about him, however, and the Wol- verines have probably been on him the longest. "I just really like the coaches, and the players seem like great guys," he said. "Everyone just seems pretty awesome. I have been up there just one time; I think it is really cool. They have a nice program." He likes Purdue's game strategy and loves the Northwestern coaches, though he had yet to meet the play- ers as of late April. He told others that Northwestern, OSU and Michigan would "prob- ably" be his top three schools. "I would think I am going to be pretty busy this summer, so I am looking at around the fall to know where I am going to go," he said. "I am probably going to want to narrow it down soon, though." Nance can act as a playmaker on the offensive end and shoot it from deep, Rivals.com reported, but he's also great running the high ball screen. They predicted "it would be an upset if he does not end up at Michigan, Purdue or Northwestern." HUNTER TYSON 6-6 • 180 • SF Monroe (N.C.) Piedmont Rivals.com Three-Star Prospect Tyson could be next in line to re- ceive an offer — he appears to be moving up Michi- gan's wish list. The 16-year-old held of- fers from Tennessee, Wake Forest, East C a ro l i n a , D e P a u l , Davidson and Char- lotte, among oth- ers, heading into the spring AAU season with Team CP3, and U-M is excited to get him on campus. He'll visit this summer, at which time he expects an offer. "I will be visiting June 30," he said. "I like the style of play Coach Beilein has implemented in the program. "Also, I have really enjoyed the relationships I have made with some of the coaching staff and the fact they have proven to me that they really think I can be an impact player in their program because they've made the trip to my school five times since the fall." He has come a long way in the last few years to earn his offers, he said earlier this spring, describing himself as versatile, able to attack the rim or stretch out a defense, and shoot from the perimeter or off the dribble. He can also handle the ball, which U-M loves in its forwards. Assistant Billy Donlon is one who has kept tabs on him for the Wolver- ines. "When they had Nik Stauskas and Trey Burke, I used to watch them all the time," Tyson said. "I really enjoyed that team. I really like Michigan …" Tyson made a name for him- self with PSB Select AAU last year and followed up with a strong ju- nior year at Piedmont. Nike EYBL play has been a big step for him — through eight games, he's averaging 8.9 points, with a high of 12, while shooting 40.9 percent from the floor and 34.6 percent from long range in 16.6 minutes per game. "I honestly just try to stay focused on me and not worry about the other guys," Tyson said. "That being said, I have a lot of confidence in my ability and work ethic. I feel like I am just as good if not better than some of the guys [ranked higher]." ❏