Michigan Basketball: Evaluating chances with top targets left in 2021

The 2021 Michigan basketball recruiting class is not finished yet. After missing on Harrison Ingram, Trevor Keels, and others, Juwan Howard would still like to land a big fish in this class.

Despite missing on some top targets, Juwan Howard has done a nice job with the class. Michigan basketball fans should know better than anyone, you don’t need five-star recruits to win a lot of games and run a successful program.

But Juwan Howard has made it very clear since the day he stepped foot in Ann Arbor as Michigan’s coach, he would be looking to bring the top talent to Michigan year after year.

The Wolverines have four guys committed for the 2021 class as we sit right now. Four-star PG Frankie Collins, four-star SG Kobe Bufkin, four-star wing Isaiah Barnes, and three-star PF Will Tschetter. 

Michigan basketball will be looking to add at least one more recruit to the class. The Wolverines need a center in the class, and they could also be in a position to just take the best available player regardless of position as well.

Here’s an update on all of Michigan’s remaining targets in the 2021 class starting with maybe the most realistic five-star recruit left on the board:

Efton Reid

2021 Ranking: 22nd overall, five-star 

Center: 7’0 225

Efton Reid is Michigan’s top remaining priority. This could be becoming a two man race between Michigan and Ohio State according to Brian Snow of 247Sports:

"“Two programs in particular that definitely have some traction are Ohio State and Michigan. The pair of Big Ten rivals are doing a very good job of pursuing Reid and building a strong bond with both him and his mother. If Reid does decide early, that could be good news for either the Buckeyes or Wolverines.”"

I really like Michigan’s chances with Reid. I think they are the favorite and have been for quite some time. He has a great relationship with the staff and is familiar with a couple players on the team. Hunter Dickinson and Terrance Williams are former AAU teammates with Reid and are recruiting him hard to Ann Arbor.

If Reid decides to go elsewhere, it will be a big shock to me. I believe that Efton Reid will be Juwan Howard’s first five-star.