Michigan Basketball: 3 Breakout candidates for Wolverines in 2020-21

The kid from East Lansing

An argument can be made that Brandon Johns Jr. was a breakout star this season, but it could also be argued that he only showed flashes, and he hasn’t officially arrived on the scene.

There won’t be any more arguments after the massive season Brandon experiences in year three.

This candidacy does come with complications, however.

If Isaiah Livers backs away from his NBA dreams and determines that he needs to add to his resume, Johns will likely be relegated to the bench as a sixth man.

If Livers doesn’t come back, well, it’s Brandon’s job to lose from the looks of it. And if he can hold on, he can be an exceptional talent.

“(Isaiah) Todd would have been huge,” Keith told GBMWolverine “I have coached against B (Brandon) Johns since 5th grade,” Coach Keith Wade, a longtime high school and AAU coach, told GBMWolverine, “have him stop looking over his shoulder and just play, he’s a pro.”

Johns certainly has the potential to become a great basketball player. Out of East Lansing High School, Brandon was ranked 70th overall for his class with a 9734 composite ranking from 247 sports and 60th overall from ESPN.

ESPN’s scout could barely find a weakness in his game and began his critical remarks with the obvious sentence that applies to 99% of HS athletes ($), “Brandon, of course, needs to get stronger like most high school players.”

Matt’s musings

Johns Jr. is bigger and better now and primed to destroy the competition. As stated previously, Brandon’s usage will depend upon Isaiah’s decision, but either way, Brandon will become a critical component for the Wolverines.

If Brandon can get out of his own head as he’s said before, and as coach Wade alluded to, the sky is the limit for him.