Could Michigan Basketball be adding to 2023 recruiting class?

The focus right now is on the transfer portal when it comes to Michigan basketball recruiting but the Wolverines are in touch with 4-star big Drew Fielder in the 2023 class. 

Coaching changes always lead to changes on the recruiting trail and that happened once again this week when Providence head coach Ed Cooley accepted the job at Georgetown.

It was a great move for the Hoyas. If Michigan basketball fans will remember, Cooley seemed like a very serious candidate for the Wolverines when Juwan Howard was hired and he’s about as sure a bet as you can find to get the Hoyas back to the NCAA tournament consistently.

For Michigan basketball, the move might pay dividends on the recruiting trail because it led to the decommitment of four-star big Drew Fielder, who is part of the 2023 recruiting class.

Right now, Michigan basketball has two signees as part of the 2023 class. Four-star big man Papa Kante, who is ranked just outside the top 100 in the 247 sports composite rankings. George Washington III is the other and he’s ranked 85th overall.

Fielder received his release from his letter of intent this week from Providence and Michigan basketball was one of the first teams to reach out according to 247 sports.

Here’s the scouting report about Fielder via 247 sports:

"“With good size, inside-out tools, and a blue-collar mentality, there’s a lot to like about what Fielder brings to the table. The Idaho native is physical with a high-motor. He goes right into contact in the post, runs the floor hard, is a consistent presence on the glass, plays hard on both ends, and appears to be hyper-competitive. He has a fluid stroke from behind the three-point line and even made some threes on the move. He was comfortable putting the ball on the floor, both to attack a bad close-out for a couple of bounces as well as to start the break, showed a good left hand, and some passing acumen.”"

Fielder is listed as a power forward by On3.com and a center by 247 sports. He’s 6-foot-9, 215 pounds, and out of California, although he is an Idaho native. Miami, Nebraska, St. John’s, Vanderbilt, and Virginia are also in contact. So is Georgetown.

Cooley is now coaching the Hoyas and he could get Fielder to commit him there. All in all, it’s interesting for Michigan basketball.

It makes you think there is going to be some attrition at some point because the scholarship chart is tight and you’d think you’d want any of those spots to apply to transfers.

We’ll see what happens and I wouldn’t think this is too serious until Fielder takes a visit to Michigan or another program.