Michigan Basketball: Breaking down latest five-star offers for 2021

Juwan Howard said Michigan basketball wasn’t staying away from five-star recruits and he proved that with offers to Charles Bediako and Matthew Cleveland.

Last week, Michigan basketball found itself out of the running for a couple of key targets, Kennedy Chandler and Paolo Banchero, who each left the Wolverines out of their top lists this past week.

But Juwan Howard and the Wolverines were still busy and they have shited to some new targets for the 2021 recruiting class, which should end up being as large as we expected to the 2020 class to be.

Missing out on Josh Christopher and Isaiah Todd left that class as four and with Mike Smith, Isaiah Livers, Eli Brooks, Austin Davis and possibly Franz Wagner leaving after this season, Michigan could be down to seven scholarships.

So on Thursday, Howard and Michigan offered highly-touted big man Charles Bediako. Bediako is from Canada and is a five-star according to the 247 sports composite rankings, which rank 21st overall in 2021 and fourth among centers.

Bediako is 6-foot-11 and while Alabama leads with two crystal ball projections right now, those were from 2019 and he met virtually with Howard when he received his offer.

The reason Michigan basketball could make sense here is Howard and his proven ability to develop bigs. Bediako is long and athletic, but he still has a ton of room to grow. He’s very raw offensively, with a solid ability to finish and not a much else consistently.

His defensive skills are more advanced right now, but if Howard can sell him on his ability to develop Bediako into a first-round talent, Michigan could be in business. And if you look at what Juwan helped do with Hassan Whiteside and Bam Adebayo in Miami, two less-heralded guys who have turned into All-Star caliber players.

Those guys are similar to Bediako and even though he has a bunch of offers, there doesn’t seem to be a clear favorite, so the Wolverines could have a chance here.

Howard extended another offer, his third this week after offering Jalen Warley, to four-star guard Matthew Cleveland. According to 247 sports composite rankings, the 6-foot-6 Cleveland is No. 29 in the 2021 class and the 5th-best shooting guard.

However, the 247 sports’ own rankings have him much higher at 14th overall and second among shooting guards, as well as a five-star. Howard also made the offer after a virtual meeting.

Cleveland would definitely fill a big need for the Wolverines in this class, along with Bediako. Michigan is going to need a rim protector and Bediako could be great to pair with Hunter Dickinson.

Cleveland, on the other hand, is the guard of scoring guard the Wolverines will need, especially if Wagner declares for the 2021 NBA draft. Cole Bajema could be a contender to start at the two then but Cleveland could be an ideal fit next to Zeb Jackson in the backcourt.

He needs to work on his 3-point shot, but he shoots well enough that defenses have to respect it. Cleveland also shows an ability to play with the ball, as well as off the ball, which is the kind of guard Michigan needs in this class. It might need a couple. At least a point guard and a combo guard, as well as a wing.

Cleveland would fill that need and give Michigan a guy who can get to the bucket and also create for others.