Michigan basketball: 2023 recruiting remains an enigma

On3 imageby:Chris Balas09/18/22

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Michigan coaches are still waiting for their first 2023 commitment, and the early signing period [November] is fast approaching. One recruit for whom U-M seemed to lead at one point, South Kent (Conn.) forward Papa Kante (6-10, On3.com’s No. 32), seems to have slowed his recruitment after appearing ready to pledge. 

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That’s not necessarily good news for the Wolverines, who seemed to lead for the talented big man at one point. He was down to four schools – U-M, Maryland, Pitt, and Rutgers — and on the verge of a decision before going back to Senegal, Africa to talk about it with his family. Kante then added Memphis to his list and released a final five upon returning to the United States after head coach Penny Hardaway hired Kante’s former AAU coach, Andy Borman, as an assistant.

“He started recruiting me when he got the job, and I really know him,” Kante said in September. “He really helped me during the summer to improve my game. If he chose to go to Memphis, they must be good people down there. 

“Coach Hardaway called me and talked to me for a while. He says I’m an energy guy who can shoot and handle the ball a little bit. He said what I can do in practice, he’ll let me do in a game.”

Michigan coaches were among those to stop at South Kent and see him in September. He reportedly unofficially visited Maryland again Sept. 17 weekend and could visit the others on his list once more, including U-M.

“Coach Howard has been recruiting me personally. The first time he watched me, he offered me, and he’s been on me since,” Kante said. “I visited his school, and he’s a good guy who cares about his players.

“The school is very nice. They are trying right now to schedule an official visit again so I can watch their practice and meet the players that will be there if I went there. I didn’t have a chance to watch their practice before, and that’s something I want to see.”

Howard told him he believes he can make an impact his freshman year and help him achieve his goals, and there will likely be playing time for him. Assistant Phil Martelli said recently junior center Hunter Dickinson is set to graduate after three years, at which point he’ll probably move on to his pro career.

The Wolverines are looking for a point guard to play immediately, as well, and Isaiah Collier would fit the bill. The 6-2, 190-pounder out of Marietta (Ga.) Wheeler, On3’s No. 2 was initially slated to decide in September, but a tragic accident — his cousin drowned when he was swimming with it — put it on the backburner. 

Collier has a final four of USC, Cincinnati, Michigan, and UCLA, and he’s visited all four. From On3.com’s Jamie Shaw: 

“Southern California has been the long-time school thought to be in the lead. The freedom [coach] Andy Enfield gives guards and his style of play is really attractive. Collier also consistently speaks about the number of players Southern California puts into the league.

“Cincinnati has been the sneaky team here. Always a team in the mix, and never a team anyone really talks about. Interestingly enough, this is the only program, when speaking with Collier, where he talks about the atmosphere … the entire program has done a great job letting Collier know he is THE top option, and that has kept the Bearcats right in the thick of things.

“Collier went into his trip with the feel Michigan could be the fourth of the finalists. However, coming out of that official visit, the tides turned for the Wolverines. Juwan Howard’s style of play Collier describes as a “pro-style” [helped], and the five-star point guard has paid close attention to Howard’s NBA ties.

“At this point, UCLA has the feel they are fourth out of four, with the other three schools more in play. As of pressing ‘publish’ on this piece, Southern California has the feel of a leader, with Cincinnati and then Michigan in the mix.”

At power forward, Zayden High remains the option. The 6-9, 215-pounder out of Spring Branch, Texas and now at Compass Prep in Arizona appears to have a trio of teams on top in Villanova, Michigan, and North Carolina. High, On3’s No. 64 prospect nationally, visited Michigan this summer after seeing Villanova and will trip to North Carolina Sept. 30. 

Though he’s played it close to the vest, it does appear U-M has a shot here. 

“I will look closely at the player development. I want a coach to get on me if I’m doing something wrong or praise me if I do something right,” he said this summer. “It is always good to have a coach you trust and know has your back. 

“I’ll be big on the individual workouts and player development. I think the commitment date will probably be around the middle of the season, maybe around Christmas.”

Finally, Michigan appears to be on the outside looking in for four-star point guard Elmarko Jackson, a teammate of Kante’s at South Kent. The 6-3, 185-pounder is now On3’s No. 23 prospect nationally after an outstanding summer, one of the fastest risers in his class. 

The nephew of former Michigan All-American defensive back Marlin Jackson visited Miami officially in early September, and the Hurricanes appear to lead. Per Texas On3, he’s scheduled to make an official visit to the Longhorns on September 30. 

He’ll reportedly take a visit to Kansas Sept. 23. Villanova and Maryland are also under consideration, per On3 — no mention of Michigan.

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