Michigan Basketball: Wolverines prioritizing all-star cast from IMG Academy

The prominent IMG Academy is perpetually a travel destination for Division I coaches, but the Michigan basketball staff is especially interested in their stars.

The Wolverines have always expressed interest in the five-star hoop athletes at the basketball and football powerhouse that is IMG Academy, but Michigan basketball has never been this close to so many members of the team.

With an insider and a new recruiting plan, it makes sense the prioritization has switched from development and mild attention to one of the best basketball programs in the country to constant contact with those inside the walls of the Bradenton, Florida school.

To understand the caliber of athlete that attends IMG, look no further than their website, which highlights its student’s accomplishments:

“2019 GEICO High School National Champions, 2 McDonald’s All-Americans in 2020, 8 McDonald’s All-Americans since 2017, 9 Alumni drafted into the NBA since 2005, 11 Alumni competed in the 2017 NCAA Tournament, 24 D1 commits in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 IMG Academy graduating class.”

Surely, the Wolverines are seeking to fill their roster from other sources, but there are few programs out there that have quite the pool of players all on the same roster. And no other squads can claim they have a Howard on their court.

Jace Howard is no longer fielding calls from coaches as he has moved into his dorm and joined the team in workouts and practices.

Jett Howard, on the other hand, is hearing from all the well-known basketball programs. The younger Howard transferred to IMG and is ranked 45th Nationally, the eighth-best SG, and ninth from Florida with a near-perfect 9790 composite and four-stars.