What Sam Walters brings to Michigan basketball roster that's 'almost complete'
Things have gone crazy for Michigan basketball on the recruiting trail the past few days as Dusty May has landed five players from the transfer portal in the last four days. He's landed six players if you count 2024 recruit Justin Pippen, who has officially signed.
Sam Walters committed soon after Roddy Gayle, a former Ohio State guard. Walters, like Gayle, was a former top-100 recruit who played just one season for Alabama, averaging 5.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and shooting 39 percent from 3-point range.
Walters is 6-foot-10. He can be a forward or a wing but his best trait is his shot. He played just over 12 minutes per game and averaged 1.1 3-point field goals. Imagine what he could do with 20 or so minutes a night, which he's likely to get for Michigan basketball.
Sam Walters is a perfect fit for Michigan basketball
A bench role seems likely, especially if Vlad Goldin commits to the Wolverines as expected. Danny Wolf and Goldin would likely be the starting frontcourt. Walters could have some valuable minutes to play at the four and the three potentially.
If you have a guy like that who can shoot the 3-poiner, it's dangerous. Walters was the seventh-best spot-up shooter in college hoops last season and with guys like Rubin Jones, Tre Donaldson, and Roddy Gayle, who can create their own shot, as well as creating for others, it's a perfect fit.
Ball movement is an essential part of Dusty May's offense. Shooting is too and he's landed some quality shooters over the past few days. Walters might be the best though.
As for May, he told Jon Rothstein on a podcast Monday that Michigan basketball has built an "extremely competitive roster" that's "almost complete."
If Jace Howard and Nimari Burnett don't leave via the transfer portal and there are no indications that they will, Michigan has two open scholarships left. Hopefully, one is going to Vlad Goldin. The other could go to a 2024 recruit but once Goldin is in, the roster will essentially be set.