Michigan basketball recruiting — the latest on the 2023, '24 targets

On3 imageby:Chris Balas08/22/22

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Michigan is still looking for its first rising senior pledge after signing a talented five-man class in 2022, but there are several outstanding candidates still on the board. The Wolverines are still in a fight for their most likely pledge in the class, big man Papa Kante (6-10, On3.com’s No. 32 player in the updated national rankings) out of South Kent (Conn.) School. 

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Kante went back to Senegal in Africa to weigh his decision with his family, a choice that appears to be harder than expected. 

A talented bit man who continues to evolve offensively, Kante averaged 10 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game on the Nike Elite Youth Basketball (EYBL) circuit this summer. Several teams offered, but he appears to be down to four … or maybe five. 

“I took four official visits, Michigan, Maryland, Rutgers, and Pittsburgh,” Kante told On3.com. “I’m not sure if I’ll take any more visits when I come back. I may visit all four again to know them more, but I’m not for sure yet.

“All four schools have great facilities. I really loved all of them. They are a family.”

Two analysts we’ve spoken with off the record believe Michigan leads, but not by much. The Wolverines seemed to be the choice after a great visit in June, but Rutgers and others have closed the gap.

Still, U-M seems pretty comfortable with its standing heading toward Kante’s decision.

“I talk with Coach Juwan Howard. I have a great relationship with coach Howard,” Kante said. “He’s texting me after every game and before games, good game or bad game. I still talk to him now, even though I’m back home [in Senegal].

“I talked to [former Michigan big man] Moussa Diabate on the phone during my visit there. He was at pre-draft and told me how Michigan helped him to get better. Coach Howard played in the league for 20 years and knows what’s takes to get there. They say they’re going to play me like they did Moussa or like [Miami Heat big man] Bam Adebayo.  They said they’re going to let me shoot it, and they keep telling me how they will put me in a great position to succeed in life.”

Rutgers, Pitt, and Maryland are also in the mix. Rutgers received a pledge from his good friend and former Michigan wing target Gavin Griffiths, and they’re also heavily recruiting some of his other friends. Maryland sees him “playing a lot as a freshman,” as does Pitt, where assistant coach Gilbert Brown is working on him. He was an assistant coach at South Kent school his first year there and went to Pittsburgh last year.

Keep an eye on Memphis, too. Kante’s former AAU coach with the New York Rens was recently hired there, and they could try to reach out. 

“I don’t have a top four schools yet,” Kante said. “Any school can still jump in at any time because I’m looking for a place to help me get better and reach my goals.

“I will be looking for a family where I can call home because I’m an international student. I’ll look at where they can develop me and help me to get better on and off the court. The relationship with the coaching staff will be big.”

He gave no timetable, but it seems to be winding up.

“My family and I are very far along into our decision, but I’ll discuss everything with my family to see what’s best for me,” he said.

We believe Michigan is clinging to a slim lead here.

Two other prospects, elite point guard Isaiah Collier of Marietta (Ga.) Wheeler and forward Zayden High of Spring Branch (Texas) High, visited in late July. The 6-2, 190-pound Collier had a great visit, by all accounts, but seems to be leaning toward staying out west. Some believe USC will be the pick. He was averaging 15.1 points and a Nike EYBL circuit-leading 6.0-assists per game, shooting 44.8 percent from long range before getting hurt and shut down. 

High, meanwhile (6-9, No. 40 On3 composite) has visited Villanova and become a higher priority for North Carolina after a mid-June offer. He’s kept it close to the vest, but Michigan still seems to have work to do on this one. 

Michigan is playing catch-up with Elmarko Jackson

Elmarko Jackson of South Kent (Conn.) School, nephew of former Michigan football All-American Marlin Jackson, might already be in the class had U-M offered earlier. The Wolverines waited, however, and now it seems they’re playing catch-up. 

Jackson had a huge spring and summer and is now On3.com’s No. 23 senior nationally. The 6-3, 185-pounder might visit Texas Sept. 17, but he has yet to set up a Michigan trip. Maryland and Miami are locks to get visits, and they’re the ones being mentioned most with him.

Jackson told ZagsBlog.com Maryland, Texas, Miami, Villanova, Virginia, UCLA, and VCU were recruiting him hardest, but he has no official visits scheduled yet.

“I want to utilize all my five visits, but I don’t want to waste any,” he said. “I want to make sure all mine are accurate with the schools I really want to focus on, and the schools that are focused on me.”

He plans to cut his list to “about seven” in the weeks to come. As of now, Michigan appears to be on the outside looking in.

On class of 2024 visits, new targets …

Michigan class of 2024 five-star recruit John Bol of Bel Aire (Kansas) Sunrise Christian will visit U-M Sept. 9 weekend, he confirmed on an Instagram story. The 7-1, 190-pounder, No. 16 in the On3.com composite, has been offered by Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Butler, and others in addition to Michigan. 

He first heard of Juwan Howard through ESPN’s documentary on The Fab Five. He loved that Howard reached out to extend the offer only a day later.

“I did not know about Juwan, and I did not know about Michigan,” he said. “I had no idea … didn’t know a lot of things when I came to the United States [from the Sudan, Africa]. The next day when Juwan Howard called me and offered me a scholarship, I was super excited.

“… Knowing Juwan Howard also played in the NBA, being coached by him and being under him, I would gain a lot of knowledge.”

Michigan has also offered 2024 Qingfang Pang, a Chinese standout who plays for Middle Village (N.Y.) Christ the King Regional, after an outstanding August visit. Rutgers, Illinois, Oregon, St. John’s, and Rhode Island are among the offers for the 6-9, 230-pound power forward. 

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