Michigan Basketball: The 2021 Wolverine dream team

Michigan basketball is making strides with several top prospects from the 2021 class and here we look at the dream team of recruits.

A recruiting haul like the Fab Five doesn’t happen often for Michigan basketball. Nabbing five of the highest-rated recruits from the same class is nearly impossible for those not named Duke, Kentucky, or North Carolina. Generally, at least one or two of the prospects are offered illegal gifts for their services and commit elsewhere.

But let’s say the impossible happens. Let’s say the NCAA cracks down on cheating and high school athletes choose their school not based on the money, cars, and women, but on the coach, academics, and the campus culture.

In this alternate universe, the Wolverines end up with the following dream team of recruits. Let’s take a look at the fictitious 2021 UM commits.

PG Jalen Warley

247 sports: 27 NATL, 3 CG, 1 PA

Rivals: 21 NATL, 4 PG

ESPN: 35 NATL, 10 SG, 2 PA

The Phil Martelli connection is what will bring Jalen Warley to Michigan basketball.

“Most of what I heard about him wasn’t even related to basketball, but the kind of guy he is,” Warley told Rivals. “My uncle said that was why he coached because with him; he knows what type of guy he is.

“Things like that are definitely going to factor in [when I decide] … things like loyalty, stuff like that, connection with the coaching staff. That’s what I’ll be harping on.”

247 sports has the evaluation:

"Jalen Warley is a big guard with size, skill and solid athleticism. At right around 6-foot-4, Warley has the size to play off the ball and also the ability to be a primary ball handler who makes others better. He doesn’t possess elite athleticism, but his size, basketball intelligence and feel for the game show on both ends of the court. On defensive he is capable of switching and guarding multiple positions, while on offense he can run a team or be a primary scorer if that is asked of him. Warley needs to continue to be more assertive so that his natural ability shines through, but all of the tools are there for him to make an impact and college, and potentially even in the NBA."

Warley is the floor general for the 2021 Dream Team. Now meet the shooting guard.