GBMWolverine
Fansided

Michigan Wolverines news: Michigan basketball kills NBA draft again, a recruiting miss, and more

By Chris Peterson

Feb 5, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Kobe Bufkin (2) and guard Jett Howard (13) celebrate during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Kobe Bufkin (2) and guard Jett Howard (13) celebrate during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

in our latest Michigan Wolverines news roundup, Michigan basketball was the only team to have two players picked in the top of the 15 NBA draft, plus more. 

Michigan basketball continued its success as a program in the NBA draft as two Michigan Wolverines were selected in the first 15 picks of the 2023 NBA draft.

In case you were wondering, Michigan basketball was the only team to do that. It still makes it frustrating that the Michigan Wolverines had two top-15 picks, as well as Hunter Dickinson last season, and were unable to make the NCAA tournament.

Talent isn’t everything though. Culture matters as we have seen with the Michigan football program and hopefully, Juwan Howard can figure it out. I have confidence in him.

But last night was a shining example of why players should think long and hard before taking the NIL money and running. The last three starting small forwards for Michigan basketball have been picked in the first round.

Of Howard’s three first-rounders, none was a five-star coming out of high school. Kobe Bufkin was a McDonald’s All-American. Both Jett and Bufkin were top-50 recruits but Juwan should get credit for them getting drafted in the top 15. Franz Wagner too.

More of these transfer portal recruits should consider Michigan basketball because as long they can transfer in, Juwan Howard will help their draft stock.

Michigan football misses out on top-200 EDGE

It wasn’t hard to realize that the Michigan Wolverines were in a troublesome spot for 6-foot-7 pass rusher Darien Mayo when he canceled his visit to Michigan football.

The official visit was supposed to be this weekend. Mayo visited Clemson last weekend and on Thursday, the top-200 pass rusher committed to the Tigers.

That takes one recruit off the board for Michigan football at EDGE. The Michigan Wolverines have landed Devon Baxter, but are also recruiting the likes of Jacob Smith and Dominic Nichols.

With Mayo going the way of the Tigers, it will be even more important for Michigan football to close with Jacob Smith who is taking an official visit.

Smith has been trending with expert projections for Michigan football in the past few weeks. His brother is already committed to the Michigan Wolverines as a defensive lineman and U-M just needs to close.

Important visit weekend gets underway for Michigan football

The recruiting dead period starts on Monday, so it’s the final official visit weekend of the summer for Michigan football.

Gatlin Bair, the top-100 wideout is going to be on campus. He’s the biggest name being hosted by the Michigan Wolverines this weekend but since he’s going to go on a Mormon Mission, he likely won’t be enrolling until 2026.

While there are 10 official visitors set to be on campus for Michigan football, five of them are uncommitted and those are the most important. Jacob Smith is one of them.

Next. 15 Best Michigan Football careers ever in the NFL. dark

Along with Bair, the others that will visit are top-100 safety Zaquan Patterson, four-star cornerback Jameer Grimsley, and four-star cornerback Terhyon Nichols.

Home/Michigan Basketball