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Breaking down commitment of 5-star Caleb Houstan to Michigan Basketball

By Max S.

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 19: Caleb Houstan #22 of Montverde Academy dribbles with the ball against Sanford School during the City of Palms Classic Day 2 at Suncoast Credit Union Arena on December 19, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 19: Caleb Houstan #22 of Montverde Academy dribbles with the ball against Sanford School during the City of Palms Classic Day 2 at Suncoast Credit Union Arena on December 19, 2019 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Michigan basketball has finally landed their first five-star recruit under head coach Juwan Howard. Caleb Houstan, a five-star from Florida has committed to the Wolverines.

While it started looking likely that Michigan basketball was going to land five-star recruit Caleb Houstan late Thursday, on Friday, he officially selected the Wolverines over Duke, Alabama, and Virginia.

Ranking

Here is where Caleb Houstan ranks by each recruiting service.

This makes Houstan Michigan’s highest ranked recruit in the 247Sports recruiting era. It also makes Michigan basketball the No. 1 in the 247 team rankings for 2021.

Here’s everything you need to know about the newest member of the 2021 Michigan basketball class.

Scouting Report

I have watched a ton of tape on Caleb Houstan over the last month or so. Here’s the strengths and weaknesses that I see in his game right now.

Strengths

  • Shooting
  • Rebounding
  • College ready body

Weaknesses

  • Ball Handling
  • Playmaking
  • Defense

While playmaking and defense may be a weakness now in my opinion, that’s okay. Houston is a guy who reclassified from 2022 to 2021 so he’s still a young prospect. He’s got the body to be an elite defender, he’s just not quite there yet.

His shooting is his number one strength and it’s the reason he can contribute right away for any team in the country.

Just to give you another perspective and scouting report, here’s what Jerry Meyer of 247Sports had to say about Houstan’s game:

"Has good size as a combo forward with shooting range. Not overly athletic, but plays with strength and has body control. Dangerous three-point shooter. Finishes well inside the arc. Is composed with the basketball. Solid handler and passer. Strong rebounder. Comes up with points off the glass. Positional defender with versatility defensively."

Projection

Caleb Houstan will play in the NBA someday. Whether that’s after one year of college or several, that is still unknown. He should step foot on Michigan’s campus next summer as the overwhelming favorite to start at one of the open wing spots as a true freshman.

His deadly 3-point shooting will allow him to take over Livers’ role in the offense. At 6’8, Juwan Howard will be able to play him all over the floor and find mismatches for Houstan to exploit.

Houstan does have to develop some parts of his game, specifically ball handling and defense. I see him as a two-year player in this system before he goes to the NBA. I see him coming in as a freshman and being a sharpshooter, then taking his game to the next level his sophomore season.

My Thoughts

I can’t stress enough how big of a pickup this is for Michigan basketball. Juwan Howard now has the monkey off of his back. Michigan fans can now relax about how “Juwan Howard still hasn’t landed a five-star.”

This also sends a statement to the rest of the college basketball world that Michigan will continue to pursue the top talent and they will land some of these elite prospects. This is also a huge get because Caleb Houstan is out of Montverde Academy which has been one of the top basketball schools in the country over the last few years.

The fact is, five-stars want to play with other five-stars and when a program lands one, it can often snowball into landing others.

Howard has said from day one that his goal is to get the top talent to Ann Arbor. Landing the highest ranked prospect in over two decades in only your second year is pretty impressive and Michigan basketball fans should be thrilled about the future of this program.

Related Story. Top 10 Wolverines of the last decade. light

Caleb Houstan is a special talent. He’s a guy that will make an impact from day one and he’s the type of player Michigan needs to reach the next level. If Juwan can continuously recruit and land kids in the top-100 and sprinkle in a five-star here and there, Michigan basketball will find themselves once again competing for national titles sooner rather than later.

Updated 2021 Class

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