Michigan Basketball: Kobe Bufkin commitment would fill huge need

Michigan basketball is looking to add a third commitment this week in the 2021 class by way of in-state prospect Kobe Bufkin. Here’s how he would fit.

It’s been a good couple of weeks for the Michigan basketball program with Isaiah Barnes and then Will Tschetter committing to the Wolverines 2021 recruiting class.

Now, it seems like there is a very good chance that four-star guard Kobe Bufkin, one of the top players from the state of Michigan, will be joining soon too. The prospect from Grand Rapids announced on Twitter that he would make his decision known Friday.

Bufkin is a lanky wing that’s listed by 247 sports as 6-foot-4, however, there are indications he’s now 6-foot-6. Either way, he’s a combo guard who can handle, get to the bucket and shoot, which are all things Michigan basketball needs in the backcourt for the 2021-22 season.

Bufkin is ranked 78th overall in the 247 sports composite rankings and according to Rivals, he checks in at No. 61. He would also be the third top-150 commitment of the 2021 class for the Wolverines. Barnes is a top-100 prospect, while Tschetter is a three star in the top 150.

Barnes is a 6-foot-7 wing who can play the two or the three, while Tschetter is a four with the potential to play some center. He’s a versatile shooter who could be an interesting piece in the post and in ball screens.

Yet looking at the potential roster for the 2021-22 season, the Wolverines are lacking playmakers, especially if you assume Franz Wagner will be gone to the NBA and Chaundee Brown will be eligible to play right away.

That would leave Zeb Jackson, an incoming freshman this season and Adrien Nunez as the only returning guards. If that’s the case, the offense will be in desperate need of players who can create their own offense and that’s exactly what Bufkin can do.

While he can play the two guard, he can play the point if he needs to. He can score on ball screens and he’s also a pretty good spot-up shooter. He’s really elite getting to the rim and finishing or creating shots for others.

Michigan basketball will still want to add a true point guard in the 2021 class, but adding a combo guard like Bufkin, who can create would satisfy a critical need. And the good news is that by all indications, the Wolverines will get the commitment of the four-star recruit Friday.

There are nine crystal ball predictions in for Michigan, with an average confidence level of seven on a scale of 1-10. 100 percent of his FutureCast picks from Rivals also project him to U-M.

Of course, nothing is ever a done deal in recruiting, but Michigan feels solid here and fans should expect another win on Friday.