Michigan Basketball in the mix for 5-star who could reclassify to 2023

Michigan basketball is still looking at options for the 2023 roster and a 2024 five-star recruit is one possible option for the Wolverines. 

Flory Biduga is a name that Michigan basketball fans need to know. He’s a five-star recruit in the 2024 class and Juwan Howard is taking a shine to him.

There’s also a chance that the elite big man ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class according to the 247 Sports composite rankings, could reclassify to 2023.

The 6-foot-10 standout has been dominant during the evaluation period and Michigan basketball was among the teams that paid close attention according to Joe Tipton of On3.com:

"“Flory Biduga is an absolute monster in the paint, that’s no secret. The 6-foot-10 center His sheer size, athleticism, and motor were all on display as he attacked the rim. College coaches were lined up to see the five-star big man, including Auburn’s Bruce Pearl, as well as assistants from Michigan, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Indiana, Florida, and others. Bidunga is also a potential candidate for reclassification, meaning he could move into the 2023 class and we could see him suit up in a college uniform next season.”"

Cincinnati has two crystal ball projections for the big man from Kokomo, Indiana. Yet, when it comes to recruiting bigs, Juwan Howard can never be counted out.

Howard specializes in developing those guys and could do wonders for the game of Biduga. He worked with Hassan Whiteside back in the day, plus he’s been vital in developing Hunter Dickinson and others like Moussa Diabate.

Michigan basketball also has a clear need at center and Biduga would have a chance to see some early minutes. He could even start alongside Tarris Reed if it worked out that way.

Of course, it’s speculation that Biduga would reclassify. Michigan also has plenty of competition for his commitment, but it’s another name to know for both the 2024 and 2023 classes.

Latest on Hunter Dickinson

It seems like wait-and-see mode for Michigan basketball right now. Hunter Dickinson isn’t likely coming back and according to what Chris Balas of The Wolverine reported, Dickinson could be choosing Villanova as early as today.

That’s fine by me. I have no issue if Dickinson goes to Villanova. I mostly don’t want to see him playing in the Big Ten. More than anything, I want him to make a decision so that it’s clear to former Tennessee forward Olivier Nkamhoua that Dickinson isn’t coming back.

Nkamhoua is considering the NBA draft and some other programs have jumped in the mix too. However, Howard could be a key part of this. If he can sell Nkamhoua on the idea of improving his NBA draft stock, which would surely happen at U-M, the Wolverines should get him.

I’m sure that is what Howard did already. It has felt like Nkamhoua is waiting on Dickinson and once Hunter announces where he’s going, it could offer more clarity for the Wolverines too with Nkamhoua who is by far their top transfer portal target on the board.

In fact, he’s pretty much the only one at this point.