Michigan Basketball: Evaluating chances with top targets left in 2021
By Max S.
J.D. Davison
2021 Ranking: 9th overall, five-star
Point Guard: 6’3 175
Michigan basketball unexpectedly made the top-six for Davison back in August. He was supposed to announce his college decision on October 3rd but has just pushed that back to an unknown date.
Jake Weingarten of Stock Risers ranked the six contenders for Davison and had the Wolverines ranked last. He had this to say about Michigan:
"This was a last-minute shock for everyone following Davison’s recruitment. After landing guard Frankie Collins on August 15th, Davison announced his final-six a week later and included the Wolverines on his final-list. Not sure how consistent Juwan Howard has stayed since Davison added them to his list but the fact he let them in with a late-push, they must be under consideration."
This seems like more than a long shot at this point. If Juwan is making a push for Davison, expect him to come off the board soon and Juwan to put his focus elsewhere.
Chet Holmgren
2021 Ranking: 2nd overall, five-star
Center: 7’0 200
Chet Holmgren has kept a very quiet recruitment. His last list cut came way back in June where Michigan basketball made the top-seven along with Gonzaga, Ohio State, Minnesota, Georgetown, Memphis, and North Carolina.
It has always been thought that Gonzaga and Minnesota have been the top two favorites to land Holmgren. As far as Michigan’s chances, I don’t have a good feel for it. I am extremely confident in them landing Reid and if that happens, where would that leave them for Holmgren?
I couldn’t imagine him committing to a school that already has a five-star center in the class and Hunter Dickinson on the team. That doesn’t seem like a logical fit. I see Holmgren taking his recruitment into the spring and if Michigan basketball happens to miss on Reid, Juwan would make a big push for him. But as of right now, I don’t like the Wolverines chances.
Caleb Houstan
2021 Ranking: 8th overall, five-star
Wing: 6’8 205
Caleb Houstan is one of my favorite prospects in the 2021 class. He’s a true big wing at 6’8, but also may be the best shooter in the entire class.
As of now, Houstan has no favorites so Michigan could make a strong push here. He reclassified from 2022 to 2021 early this summer which will obviously speed up his recruitment. He does hold a Michigan offer and has met with coach Howard on zoom calls.
The wing position isn’t a huge need for the Wolverines, so I see them trying to hit a home run with Houstan and if they don’t land him, oh well. His recruitment is completely wide open at this point and will be fun to follow in the coming months.