Michigan Basketball: Delving into the 3 recent commitments
By Nick Popio
Within roughly a three week span Michigan Basketball captured three profound commitments to its 2021 class.
It all launched on June 24 with the commitment of Isaiah Barnes to Michigan basketball. Almost a couple weeks later he was joined by Will Tschetter and Kobe Bufkin.
Barnes and Bufkin are consensus four-star recruits, while Tschetter is a three-star sleeper. The combination of the trio currently ranks as a top five national class and spearheads the way in the Big Ten according to 247sports at the moment.
Barnes is a wing type who knows how to be a playmaker with the rock in his hands. He plays ball right in Juwan Howard’s backyard, where he grew up as well.
The Chicago area native wasn’t sought after by other schools at first, but after he busted his hump in and out of the gym, he became a talent that consistent programs had to take a second look at. His relationship with coach Howard blossomed immediately and ultimately led to where it stands today.
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Bufkin fills a void for Michigan basketball at the combo guard position and may start from day one. He’s thin as rails, but performs taller than his height.
Bufkin understands where he’s got to go on the defensive side of the ball and he shines on that end of the hardwood. His ball handling skills are exceptional. His first step off the dribble is a difficult one to defend.
Will Tschetter averaged 34 points and 11 rebounds a game as a climbing junior standout, leading the state of Minnesota. He’s a non-stop worker on the court who loves to throw it up beyond the arc.
Every coach in the country should want a player of his caliber on their club yearly. A step up to Big Ten competition will be an obstacle that, if Tschetter brings his powerful work ethic, could lead to him grabbing the headlines under Howard’s leadership.
With the expected turnover after the 2020 class departs, it will open up doors for more space along the 2021 roster makeup.
The present scholarship count is low so the staff has more work to do so they can enhance the overall group to the highest extent imaginable. Angelo Brizzi is a name to watch carefully as a true point, who might just be the next domino to fall in Michigan’s favor.
Michigan basketball now has 3 2021 commitments:
— Idiot With So Many Followers Corner (@WolverineCorner) July 10, 2020
4-star SG- Kobe Bufkin
4-star Wing- Isaiah Barnes
3-star PF- Will Tschetter
I’m guessing they will take 3 more people in this class. Those 3 will likely be a PG, a scoring wing, and they desperately need a Center in this class
The three recruits continue to spotlight the promise that Howard has as a recruiter. He didn’t seal the deal with two Josh Christopher or Isaiah Todd, but has since bounced back nicely with these youngsters and transfers who will be the identity to his squad over the next coming years.
Next. Building Michigan basketball's ideal 2021 class. dark
He’s thrown his hat in for a handful of other top recruits in the nation and may be on the verge to landing one or two of them before the dust settles.