3 thoughts on commitment of Lee Aaliya to Michigan basketball
Michigan basketball head coach Juwan Howard landed Lee Aaliya’s commitment on Saturday and here’s what it means for the Wolverines.
international big man Lee Aaliya came on the radar of Michigan basketball fans earlier this week when it was reported that the Wolverines were among the favorites to land the 6-foot-9 standout from Argentina.
Aaliya was cleared for college basketball earlier this summer by the NCAA and around 50 schools showed interest before he wound up committing to Michigan basketball this weekend according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
NEWS: Argentinian big man Lee Aaliya has committed to Michigan, his NIL agent Alex Saratsis told ESPN. Aaliya was named to the FIBA U19 World Cup all-tournament team after averaging 17 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks per game.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) August 26, 2023
STORY: https://t.co/fvKG7mxofC
Michigan basketball has been in the mix with a number of potential 2023 additions and for the second straight year, Juwan Howard dipped into the pool of international talent.
Here are three thoughts on the addition of Aaliya.
Some much-needed depth
Michigan basketball had Tarris Reed but not much else in terms of rim protection and the addition of Aaliya will certainly help with that. The big man averaged 17 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks for Argentina during the FIBA U-19 World Cup.
His shot is a work in progress, but he’s athletic, which has been a theme this offseason and he can finish around the rim. Aaliya will also add some shot blocking and can essentially fill the void when Papa Kante was let out of his letter of intent.
You need frontcourt depth to make it through the Big Ten season and Michigan basketball was still a little short. Now, it’s got another player who can help out this season, as well as being a possible starter in the future.