Michigan Wolverines news: Some recruiting misses, U-M NBA updates, and more

There were a couple of Michigan football recruiting misses on Saturday, as well as some NBA contract news involving former Michigan Wolverines.

Michigan football has one of the top 2024 recruiting classes all of college football, but the Michigan Wolverines whiffed on a couple of key targets this weekend.

One was four-star offensive tackle Michael Uini (Friday night), which stings. The Michigan football team seemed to have the lead following his official visit. He was projected to the Wolverines by EJ Holland of the Wolverine, however, Georgia was able to steal the momentum.

If it is going to consistently compete with Georgia, Alabama, and frankly, Ohio State, for recruits, Michigan football has to ramp up the recruiting operation (mainly NIL).

Development is a huge part of it and there’s no question that Michigan football is elite in that regard. U-M is elite in their evaluations of recruits too. However, at some point, you need to get more elite talents and that’s still an issue right now.

This is evidenced by four-star cornerback Jameer Grimsley also choosing Alabama over Michigan football on Saturday.

The Michigan Wolverines had just hosted him for an official visit. Things went well but it’s tough to beat out Alabama and Georgia. Michigan football learned that lesson again this weekend and I wouldn’t hold out hope for Teryhon Nichols commitment on Sunday.

Michigan football still has 24 commitments in the 2024 class and with the upgrade of Jaden Smith to a composite four-star this week, the Wolverines have 16 blue-chips. That’s a really solid total, but you have to start beating more of the elites out for players at some point.

Right now, it still isn’t happening enough.

Michigan Wolverines sticking with their NBA teams

There has been a running joke about the “Michigan Magic” but Mortiz Wagner, the former Michigan Wolverines great re-upped for two more years with Orlando on Saturday, so the joke can continue as the Magic have four former Michigan players on the roster: Moe Wagner, Franz Wagner, Caleb Houstan, and now Jett Howard.

https://twitter.com/umichbball/status/1675265051282796545

Wagner inked a two-year, $16 million deal with Orlando. It’s good to see him get another contract after bouncing around a little to start his pro career. He’s averaged 9.8 points in 131-career games with the Magic in two-plus seasons.

Moritz averaged 10 points a game last season and has been a really effective scorer with Orlando, connecting on 62 percent of his 2-point attempts. He’s also shot 32.7 percent from 3-point range in addition to averaging more than four rebounds per game.

https://twitter.com/umichbball/status/1675269298112147457

The Detroit Pistons also picked up the option of former Michigan Wolverines standout Isaiah Livers. During his first two seasons, Livers has played in 71 games and averaged 6.6 points per game.

Livers was always known for his shooting and so far, he’s averaged 1.3 3-point makes per game, as well as shooting 38 percent from deep, which is likely why Detroit decided to keep him around for another season at $1.8 million.