Emmanuel Akot would be the perfect transfer for Michigan Basketball
Another name that Michigan basketball fans should know in the transfer portal is Emmanuel Akot of Boise State. Here are three reasons why he’s a perfect fit for the Wolverines.
It’s hard to believe but Michigan basketball will have to replace four of its five starters from last season, so while there is optimism about the 2022-23 Wolverines, there is work to do.
Michigan has 11 scholarship players right now and there is plenty of talent. Hunter Dickinson, the All-American center is the key piece.
Michigan basketball also added a top transfer at point guard in Jaelin Llellywn, plus former top-50 overall recruits Jett Howard and Kobe Bufkin are strong bets to start at the two and the three. At the very least, those two will see heavy minutes, as should Tarris Reed and Dug McDaniel.
Yet, with Moussa Diabate and Caleb Houstan gone to the NBA draft, Michigan needs to add some 3-point shooting and probably at least one starting-caliber player.
Someone who is stout on the defensive end would be nice too and it just so happens there is one perfect option out there and it’s Boise State’s Emmanuel Akot.
Here are three reasons why.
A point forward who can shoot
Akot is one of the most interesting players left in the transfer portal and while he has said he wants to make a decision soon, he hasn’t talked about his suitors at all, however, he’s been linked to Kansas State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Alabama.
Before we delve more into that aspect of Akot’s recruitment, let’s look at why teams are likely very interested in adding him. For one, he’s a stellar 3-point shooter which would fill a major need for Michigan.
Akot is a 36-percent career shooter from beyond the arc and made 38 percent of his attempts last season for Boise State. He also earned 2.5 free throw attempts per game (20th in Mountain West) and averaged 2.8 assists in both seasons for the Broncos, showing that he can create his own shot, as well as shots for others, which is something Michigan also needs — a secondary playmaker.
The 6-foot-8 forward/wing averaged nine shots per game last season with the Broncos, so he could slide in perfectly as the Wolverines’ fourth-fifth scorer, and playing with Dickinson should afford him a number of very good 3-point looks.
His presence would also help alleviate some of the spacing issues the team suffered through last season with Moussa and Hunter on the floor at the same time.