Michigan Basketball: Inside the recruitment of 5-star Harrison Ingram
Michigan has the advantage
Recruiting a five-star occasionally starts in Middle School or during a prospect’s freshman year. Being there early and often can become the difference-maker for a kid teetering between universities.
Michigan basketball’s former head coach, John Beilein, is a phenomenal coach, strategist, and talent evaluator. John saw what coach Guiler sees in Harrison Ingram. Luckily, he saw it before the other Division I coaches.
“He was the first one to ever come in our gym,” Guiler said of the Wolverine’s former assistant Luke Yaklich, who’s now the head coach at UIC. “The first Division I coach I’ve had at our gym and he came in 3-4 years ago and wanted to see Harrison and one of his teammates who just graduated from the University of Pennsylvania.
“I kind of see Michigan as being the first to the table and, in many ways, unlocked the exposure for these guys in ways that we are eternally grateful for.”
The experts are saying Stanford and Purdue are in the lead for Harrison, although UM has the advantage of being the first one through the door, and even if the named coach is no longer on staff, UM has left a lasting impression.
Next. 4-star target Jaden Schutt is a dead shot. dark
Matt’s musings
What you read about Harrison is Stanford and Purdue are the teams to beat. You’ll also read that Harrison is in no hurry to pick a school and could wait until the end of the season or, potentially, until summer before deciding. Judging by what his coach said, there is no leader, and he’s enjoying the process.
If Michigan pushes a little bit harder with both Ingram, a verified star who has the potential of spending multiple years in college according to his father, and Smith, the Wolverines have a real chance at obtaining the services of two of the most talented, positionless players in the world.