Michigan Basketball: 6 Prospects Wolverines can realistically land

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
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The last two

I’ve done my research on Harrison Ingram, a five-star wing. I’ve read every article, I’ve interviewed his coach, and I’ve scoured the forums for rumors.

What I’ve learned is Harrison is what Michigan desires in an athlete. A highly intelligent ambassador for the sport, a gifted basketball player with endless potential, and part of a great family.

Greg Guiler, Harrison’s coach at St. Marks in Texas, had only good things to say about his star, which is expected, but I could tell he wasn’t just trying to hype up his guys through embellishments. The enthusiasm and passion were evident. Greg truly enjoys his job, and Harrison makes it that much better, that much easier.

At one point during our conversation, Greg brought up a twitter video of Harrison from a few years ago. Ingram is with a couple of friends and he’s telling everyone how great this unknown European is and that’s he’s going to be an elite NBA player. The european’s name: Luka Doncic.

https://twitter.com/Harrisoniingram/status/1297679034755809287

The night before my conversation with Guiler, Luka had dropped 43 points alongside former Michigan stars Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway, who each scored over 20 points that night. I told Greg I was amazed at how great of a scorer Doncic is and how creative he gets with his scoring. Guiler agreed and brought up comparisons of Harrison to the NBA star. Harrison discovered Doncic before most of the world, and now scouts and his coach Ingram are drawing parallels between the Dallas Maverick superstar and the No. 1 player from Texas.

Game recognize game.

Will Ingram wear maize and blue? It’s too early to tell, but Michigan has undoubtedly positioned themselves as contenders.

Who else?

Jaden Hardy is getting help at Coronado High School in Henderson, Nevada. Frankie Collins is transferring in, and that could be the difference-maker in Hardy’s recruitment. Hardy still has ties to the state of Michigan, and with an unofficial Michigan recruiter after him, UM might end up the winners in this battle.

Like Ingram, Hardy is precisely what the university expects from its student-athletes:

“The Michigan fans will be instantly drawn to Jaden,” Hardy’s coach, Jeff Kaufman, told me when asked what to expect from Jaden off the court. “His large smile and humble personality are infectious.  Aside from always taking the time to shake hands and talk with the staff, fans, and media, Jaden will learn the history, traditions, and values of the Ann Arbor community.   Not only would Jaden be a supportive and philanthropic community member, but he would also motivate his teammates to do the same.  In the classroom, Jaden is an outstanding and hardworking student.   Jaden is on track to graduate Coronado with an honors diploma, and he was the Chemistry student of the month this past January.”