Michigan Basketball: Wolverines after 4-star sharpshooter Jaden Schutt

Jaden Schutt has drained 17 three-pointers in a single game and Michigan basketball is reaching out to acquire his services.

For some, it’s still too early to consider what the 2022 Michigan basketball roster will look like, but for me, that’s what occupies my mind. Who the Wolverines are targeting to fill the spaces of an excel spreadsheet neatly organized in a folder on my laptop. There’s one for 2021, 2022, and 2023.

These lists are not always correct, as some recruits commit quietly, and others trim their contending universities without announcing it on social media. For the most part, however, the kids are accurately represented and broken down into tiers. Jaden Schutt is in the top tier.

Jaden, a four-star from the 2022 class, is a sharpshooter for his high school Yorkville Christian in Illinois where he averaged 22.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.

According to Endless Motor Sports, Jaden was in contact with the Michigan basketball staff this week and it’s not the first time the Wolverines reached out to the talented three-point shooter.

“I’m also getting interest from Purdue, Lipscomb, Michigan State, Belmont, Iowa, Siena, Ohio State, Loyola-Chicago, Wisconsin, Liberty, Michigan, Purdue-Fort Wayne, Nebraska, Appalachian State, Stanford, Oregon, Northwestern, Butler and Indiana,” Jaden said in an interview in early June.

Per the 247 sports composite, Jaden is ranked 86th nationally, the 16th best SG, and No. 2 from Illinois. His rankings internally are very close to his composite.

Rivals dropped Schutt way outside of the top 100, although, that will change once they see Jaden in action again.

He’s a tremendous perimeter shooter with incredible accuracy from mid-range as well. Presently, Schutt doesn’t seem physically ready for the next level, but with an elite strength and conditioning program, Jaden can become a real threat in every aspect of the offense.

Matt’s musings

Jaden is a tall 6-foot-5 and might get even bigger. At U-M, should he receive and offer and attend (likely will get one soon as almost everyone else in the Big Ten has extended a scholarship opportunity), Jaden could fill the Franz Wagner hole on the team.

A solid ball handler, contributor, and defender with range. The biggest difference between the two is Franz is the better defender and Schutt might be the better shooter. Jaden really is a fire and forget type of shooter.

Should Jaden add a little muscle without the typical side effect of a drop in accuracy, he might break into the top 60 for his class by the time college rolls around.

As far as where Michigan stands with Jaden: Right now, it sounds like U-M is on the outside looking in for Schutt’s recruitment. The recent contact is evidence the staff is looking to change that, however.