Michigan basketball: The potential future for the Wolverines

The potential pledges

Max Christie

Class: 2021

Max Christie plays high school ball 40 minutes outside of Chicago in the Rolling Meadows suburb, and he plays it very well. As the number one ranked basketball player in Illinois, Max has garnered the attention of all the big schools. Heading into his junior year, Christie has 16 offers from schools like Duke, Florida, and a majority of the Big Ten.

https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1145325528532049920

“He’s very well known,” Max’s head coach, Kevin Katovich, said of Howard. “Obviously, Max respects Coach Howard and all that he’s accomplished. You look at his resume, and you see what kinds of things he’s been able to do in his career. You can see just in his press conference as well how happy and how proud he was to be back at Michigan.”

The former Michigan assistant coach, Luke Yaklich, was the one who was Christie’s main recruiter but, according to Katovich, Howard’s staff has reached out and started building a new relationship.

Lance Ware

Class: 2020

Lance Ware resides in New Jersey where he is the top-ranked player in the state, and his 247Sports evaluation will tell you why:

"A lefty with length and some athletic bounce. Primarily a finesse player at this point. Needs to develop strength. Does have a nose for the basketball to come up with rebounds, blocks and steals. Rapidly improving as a rising senior. Has touch inside the arc and will likely extend his shooting range. Capable ballhandler and passer. Has a high ceiling and projects as a skilled NBA forward."

Jerry Meyer, the author of the evaluation, also compared Ware to Marvin Bagley and projected the young man to be a first-round pick in the NBA draft when the time comes.

The good news for Howard and Michigan fans is Lance is interested in playing for the Wolverines.

From September 5th to the 8th, Ware and Nimari Burnett will be visiting The House That Cazzie Built in what is the most critical recruiting weekend so far for the Howard era.

Walker Kessler

Class: 2020

According to Rivals Dan McDonald, Walker Kessler has scheduled his official visit to Michigan for August 31st.

The 6-foot-10-inch center has earned himself the honor of being ranked first out of Georgia and 15th nationally (247sports). As a traditional big-man, Walker holds a lot of respect for coach Howard as he hopes his path mimics that of the former NBA star.

“I am still very interested in Michigan. I have talked to Coach Howard a lot,” Walker told Brian Snow of 247Sports ($). “Obviously, with him being a big man who played 15 years in the NBA who was a stretch big who could do it all, it is very appealing for a player like me.”

Hunter Dickinson

Class: 2020

Hunter Dickinson might not have as high as a ranking as Kessler, although he does have a significant height advantage. Standing at 7-foot-2-inches, Hunter is the tallest person in every room he enters, and that will continue no matter where he continues his academic and athletic career.

Like Kessler though, Dickinson’s interest in Michigan is mostly because of Juwan Howard.

“Now that they’ve hired Juwan Howard, I’d say my interest is if not the same, probably a little more,” Hunter told the Detroit Free Press. “Because I feel like he’s like a 6-10 big man, he says he can get me to the league. He’s got the connections and the abilities to get me there. I feel like that’s a really good option for me.”

That Howard connection has earned Michigan a spot in Hunter’s top seven schools.