Michigan Basketball: Five Star keeps Wolverines in trimmed list
Michigan basketball continues to dominate the recruiting game as another five star keeps Wolverines in consideration.
Michigan basketball is still a possibility for one of the best centers in the 2021 class. Charles Bediako, the No. 1 player from Canada, trimmed his list of schools he prefers to ten, and the Wolverines remain in contention.
https://twitter.com/CBediako/status/1279136375099600901
UM has to out recruit Memphis, Alabama, Baylor, Maryland, Duke, Tennessee, Ohio State, and USC for the services of Bediako.
According to 247 sports internal rankings, Charles is 23rd nationally and the third-best center with four stars. The composite, however, has Bediako as a five star and 20th nationally, with no other changes.
Here’s the evaluation from Josh Gershon, a 247 sports national recruiting analyst:
"Mobile center with good size, long arms and budding athleticism. Very physically immature with a frame that should eventually carry a lot more weight. Has improved motor/competitiveness throughout high school career. Still relatively raw on offense but hands and feet don’t give serious limitations. Can finish with both hands but prefers right. Footwork and face up ability could improve. Has made progress as rebounder and rim protector with strength. Needs to get stronger and add to skill but has high ceiling. On path to be high major starter with professional upside depending on skill development."
Many scouts mention his lean frame or small size compared to his height, which is listed at 6-foot-11. It’s true, he’s thin. You would be too if you grew 11 inches overnight. Eventually, Charles will fill out and become college-ready, especially if he gets any significant amount of time at camp Sanderson.
If he doesn’t choose Michigan basketball, Charles is going to be a problem for the Wolverines should they ever meet.
Per Rivals, Bediako is 22nd nationally and third at center with four stars, and ESPN ranks him 25th overall and fifth positionally with four stars.
There could be a change either positive or negative as Charles moves closer to his first day as a college student (or as a pro in the G League/overseas). In June, Charles announced he will be attending IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, the national powerhouse for football and basketball. He will play alongside another Michigan target in Efton Reid, who also recently declared his intention to attend IMG.
Even though he’s leaving Canada, his Canadian roots may assist the Wolverines with Bediako’s recruitment. Michigan has experienced success up north with Nik Stauskas and Ignas Brazdeikis, although, they both attended UM under the John Beilein era, and Sam Webb spoke to his AAU coach and he doesn’t think that history holds any weight.
As for a projection, 247 sports has Bediako as an Alabama lean with a six confidence level, and Corey Evans from Rivals believes Duke is the team to beat.
Matt’s musings
Bediako’s AAU coach also said that while he’s listed as a center, Charles is more suited for the four, especially later on when he enters the NBA.
“He is long, he is athletic, and as a matter of fact, Dwayne Washington says he’s probably more of a four when you talk about pro projection,” Said Sam Webb on the Michigan Recruiting Insider Podcast. “But because he’s so long you play him at the five. He brings some of that versatility to the position that schools like (and) that Michigan likes. They’ve really been talking that up.”
If Juwan can convince Bediako that he’s positionally better at the four, Michigan would be a perfect landing spot for him playing alongside Hunter Dickinson.