Jett Howard and Yohan Traore could be dynamic duo for Michigan Basketball

If Michigan basketball is able to land Jett Howard and Yohan Traore, it would be a dynamic duo for the Wolverines, and here’s why. 

Michigan basketball has followed up its No. 1 basketball recruiting class last cycle with another solid start in 2022.

The Wolverines currently have the #14 class on the strength of four-star commitments from point guard Dug McDaniel and center, Tarris Reed.

However, the class has the potential to get much better. By now you are probably familiar with Juwan Howard’s son, Jett. Well in case you aren’t, Jett Howard is a small forward prospect that ranks as the 39th overall player in the 2021 class. He is right on the fringe of five-star territory and I believe he will get his fifth star by the time the final rankings come out.

While Jett has not committed to the Wolverines yet, it is more a matter of when not if. Juwan is letting his son enjoy the process and the Wolverines also hold all nine predictions on his crystal ball. Even though Jett is not officially in the class yet, he already has his recruiting hat on.

At the NBA Players Association Top 100 camp last month, Howard was on the same team as rising Michigan target Yohan Traore. Traore is listed as a center and he is currently ranked as a four-star and the #67 overall player in the class. However after his performance this summer, his ranking could be on the rise as well.

One of the things that makes Traore’s game so intriguing is his versatility. He is 6-foot-10 and active around the rim, tenacious on the glass on both ends, can score on the block, and can block shots. However, he is also very comfortable on the perimeter.

Traore can stand to improve his handle but he is capable of beating his man off the dribble and knock-down jumpers as well. He also was a guard growing up before a growth spurt brought him up to the size of a center.

There was the initial question about whether he would fit with Tarris Reed, but with Reed being more of an inside post player and Traore being able to play on the perimeter, I think the fit would be seamless.

Additionally, Michigan basketball could lose Hunter Dickinson after this season and possibly Moussa Diabate. Adding a couple of big men either through the high school ranks or the transfer portal would be prudent.

Traore earned his Michigan offer after the NBA Players Association Top 100 camp, which partly may be attributed to Jett Howard (subscription required). The younger Howard praised Traore’s game and talked up how much he enjoyed played with him.

You can read between the lines and infer that Jett relayed that message to his dad. Michigan needs to get Traore on campus but the Wolverines are trending up in this race. Juwan Howard has proven thus far that he is one of the game’s best recruiters when he locks in on a top target.

What Traore/Howard pairing would look like

If Michigan basketball is able to land Traore, he would form a lethal wing duo with Jett Howard. Howard is listed at 6-foot-7 and Traore is listed at 6-foot-10 and they would probably start at small forward and power forward for Michigan.

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Howard is one of the best shooters in the country and he is comfortable creating for himself and others off the dribble. Michigan likely will not need Howard to facilitate much with Frankie Collins, Kobe Bufkin, Zeb Jackson, and Dug McDaniel in the backcourt.

However, his versatility will allow Michigan to be creative in its lineup combinations, particularly when combined with Traore.

With Traore’s ability to play on the perimeter along with Howard, Michigan will always have at least four shooters on the floor and possibly five when Traore plays center. That will create excellent spacing and driving lanes and help the Wolverines be efficient on offense.

Michigan will also be able to play small with Howard at the four in some matchups or play bigger lineups with Howard, Traore, and Reed/Tschetter in the frontcourt. The length and versatility will be intriguing on the defensive end as well. The Wolverines will be able to switch as well as challenge shots with their length.

Landing Howard and Traore would also be a big boost to the Wolverines recruiting ranking. The Wolverines recruiting class would vault up to No. 2 in the country with their pledges.

Michigan basketball can then be flexible in how it wants to fill out the last spots in its class or save the scholarships for the transfer portal. Additionally, stacking back-to-back elite classes sets a strong foundation for bringing a national championship back to Ann Arbor.