Michigan Basketball: Wolverines offer pair of intriguing 2021 recruits

Just when you thought Michigan basketball was nearing the end of recruiting, new offers were handed out to intriguing prospects.

The walls are closing in on available scholarships for Michigan basketball‘s 2021 class. At one time, there were over five slots for the taking, and it stands today at two.

The dwindling openings were caused by the pledges of three, very talented young men—one from in-state and two from nearby.

Right now, there is no need to find someone who can play at the wing, or the two. Isaiah Barnes and Kobe Bufkin have that covered.

There also isn’t a requirement for an addition at the four, assuming Brandon Johns Jr is still around. Although, a few scouts and analysts have pointed out 2021 commit three-star Will Tschetter may require some instruction before he’s thrown into the lion’s den.

Will has the shooting ability and the talent to contribute as a starter, but some minor tweaking must be made, and adding good weight will be intricate to his development.

If the coaches are in the mindset Tschetter is their guy down the road, it might explain their recent offer to four-star Bryce Hopkins, a former Louisville commit.

Bryce is a 6-foot-7-inch powerhouse from the school that calls incoming Michigan grad transfer Mike Smith among its graduates. Fenwick High School is in a well-known city outside of Chicago, Illinois, a location Juwan Howard knows all too well.

While Bryce isn’t a five-star, he’s about as close as you can get. Hopkins is 33rd nationally, and the eighth-best PF.

What I see with Hopkins is a new age power forward. A guy at his best on the perimeter with the ball and with either isolation or an undersized opponent. He can make almost any shot and isn’t afraid to take them. Perfect for a team looking for a guy who can play three different positions, like Michigan.

Filling a need

If Bryce were to join the maize and blue, the Wolverines would still be hurting at center and point guard with only one remaining scholarship athlete allowed by NCAA rules to become a member of the squad.

Of course, there’s always attrition, even when it’s not expected. Losing a really talented guy hurts, but current circumstances may not benefit both parties. The team when a kid joins might not be the same one a year or two later.

Howard is playing the long game, knowing the men on his roster might not be there a year from now. The NBA is a threat, as are other coaches who came up second for a gifted athlete they feel are being underutilized at the university, which beat them.

UM has two slots now. They could have 3 or 4 in 2021.

To fill the holes at the point, and at the five, there are several candidates. Efton Reid has a lot of chatter surrounding him, as does fellow big man Charles Bediako.

On Wednesday, the Wolverines might have an answer at the point with Frankie Collins committing. A hailstorm of predictions has Collins headed to Ann Arbor.

As a four-star, Frankie has starter written all over him. But then again, so does five-star Hunter Sallis who just received an offer.

https://twitter.com/huntersallis_/status/1294076182561017857?s=21

Hunter is from Nebraska, and he’s 19th nationally for the 2021 class, and the second-best combo guard.

With Sallis, you get a fierce competitor. A high tempo guy that gets buckets frequently while also including his teammates in the fun. Hunter can play at the one, two, or in a pinch, at the three (6-foot-3), and he will contribute on the boards.

Defensively, he takes risks by giving his body up for a steal or to deflect a pass, but on the plus side, he comes with the ball quite often.