The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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58 THE WOLVERINE AUGUST 2017 BASKETBALL RECRUITING July 12‑16. He reportedly visited Vir‑ ginia at the end of June and Pitts‑ burgh earlier in the month. IGNAS BRAZDEIKIS (OFFERED) 6-8 • 200 • SF Mono (Ontario) Orangeville Prep Rivals.com four-star prospect An early U‑M priority in the 2018 class, "Iggy" visited Michigan unof‑ ficially last fall for the Wolverines' non‑conference game with Mount St. Mary's. Beilein has stayed in touch since, and it didn't take long for the coach to offer once he saw the Cana‑ dian in action at the EYBL in Hamp‑ ton, Va., in the first of the four Nike‑ sponsored events. Brazdeikis finished sixth in regular season EYBL play in scoring (22.6 points per game) and 22nd in re‑ bounding (7.5 per contest). Florida, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Baylor, SMU, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and several others have made him a priority, but U‑M does have one advantage. "It's only about a four‑hour drive from home, so it's really close," he said. "It's definitely nice knowing my parents can come watch a game any time they want. The distance is very short. That's very positive. "I really love the school, the coach‑ ing staff and the facilities." Brazdeikis hasn't completely closed the door on going somewhere as a 2017 recruit, and if happens it will be in August. He'd be a top‑35 player if he were an American, ac‑ cording to Rivals.com's Eric Bossi, but he is in no hurry. "As of right now, I am still wide open with my recruitment," he said. "For 2018, I would be able to get more ready for the college level. I could mentally focus and get locked in. "For 2017, the facilities in college are better than in high school, so I could get better there." HUNTER TYSON (OFFERED) 6-6 • 180 • SF Monroe (N.C.) Piedmont Rivals.com three-star prospect nationally Michigan offered Tyson on his June visit, giving him something to seriously consider. Tyson told The‑ Wolverine.com back in May he was anticipating an offer from U‑M, and his wish came true. He liked Ann Arbor a lot after tak‑ ing the tour with his family, seeing the facilities and the campus. "I enjoyed the visit," Tyson said, noting interaction with the Wolver‑ ines was a highlight. "I enjoyed be‑ ing able to play pick‑up with the players." Tyson averaged 8.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game on the Nike EYBL circuit this summer playing with Team CP3. He was recently listed as the most underrated player in his class by Rivals.com's Krysten Peek. "A lot of players have been playing well this spring, and Hunter Tyson is one of them," she wrote. "The three‑ star small forward had a put‑back dunk during the live period that sur‑ prised a lot of people in the gym. "He's been a consistent option on offense for Team CP3 on the Nike EYBL circuit, and if he continues to work on his outside shot, he'll be a threat at the next level." Clemson, Wake Forest, DePaul and Tennessee have all offered, with NC State and Virginia showing inter‑ est. A decision should be coming soon. "I don't know exactly when I'll de‑ cide, but I definitely plan on deciding before September," he said. DAMEZI ANDERSON (OFFERED) 6-7 • 205 • SF South Bend (Ind.) Riley Rivals.com No. 103 senior nationally Anderson blew up this spring on the EYBL circuit, averaging 13.8 points per game and shooting 41.7 percent from long range. Of his 143 field goal attempts, 103 came behind the arc. He averaged 24.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game to lead Riley to a 19‑3 overall record last winter, was named a Junior All‑Star in Indiana and received honorable mention all‑ state recognition from the Associated Press. U‑M is one of the latest to get involved. "Michigan is a good program with a good education," he said. "Coach Beilein, he loves shooters. They've got a lot of shooters there, and that's a good program to me." Anderson bonded with Beilein on his June visit and got plenty of per‑ sonal attention. He also picked up an offer. "Coach Beilein was talking to me the whole time I was down there," he said. "I got a good feel about their program." Academics and early playing time are two factors that will play into his decision. Michigan, DePaul, Purdue and Connecticut have offered, while Xavier, Arizona, Indiana and Creigh‑ ton are among those interested. He'll break down his list after the AAU season, but he's open, and he did say recently U‑M was one of his top schools. RACE THOMPSON (OFFERED) 6-8 • 200 • PF Plymouth (Minn.) Armstrong Rivals.com No. 116 senior nationally Thompson fits the bill of what Michigan wants — a big man who can score inside and out. "College coaches really like me be‑ ing able to stretch the floor out and take the ball up the court," he said. "They tell me I'm a good passer and see the court really well. "I have a pretty good shot. I can shoot pretty much anywhere from the three‑point line in." That is one of the reasons he's picked up more interest in Michigan. "I like how successful they have been, and I would be a good fit in their system," he said. Through July 6, Thompson was averaging 14.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game on the adi‑ das Uprising circuit with D1 Min‑ nesota. Michigan, Michigan State and Indiana have picked up their Damezi Anderson, a 6-7 small forward from South Bend (Ind.) Riley, averaged 24.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game en route to being named a Junior All-Star in Indiana. PHOTO BY JORDAN WELLS/THEHOOSIER.COM