I hardly ever put together class predictions for the Michigan basketball team but this 2020 class that Juwan Howard’s putting together in his first year on the job is just too good, with the chance of being incredible.
The class is already sitting at 4th overall in the country with 4 commitments and 1-2 spots available. Though there are only five open scholarships scheduled to be open for this class, attrition seems likely.
With the staff clearly going after multiple players to finish out this class, six looks like the best bet for the final number. So, question is, would they be called the Super Six and forever be compared to the Fab Five?
That’s how good this class is shaping up to be.
Without further adieu, check out my 2020 Best Guess Michigan Basketball Recruiting Class:
1. CG Zeb Jackson, 6’2” 165lbs. Maumee, OH (Maumee)
Jackson is a smooth, dynamic, left-handed scoring combo guard that can run the offense or be the go-to scoring option at the two. He’s a guy I see getting a decent amount of minutes as a freshman before becoming a rotational guy his sophomore year.
- Story
- Highlights
- Signed LOI: Yes
- Commitment Date: 10/23/18
- Rankings: Rivals (4*, #59 overall) – 247Sports (4*, #66 overall) – ESPN (4*, #65 overall)
- Composite Ranking: Four-star, #61 Overall, #11 SG, #1 in Ohio
2. SG Josh Christopher, 6’5″ 215lbs. Lakewood, CA (Mayfair)
This might seem like a bit of a reach but the momentum has been swaying towards the Wolverines since JC’s official visit in late November. The Michigan Insider’s key message board member, Dotman, first hinted at the real possibility of Christopher choosing Michigan ($) and the noise continued to build. Rivals National Basketball Analyst Corey Evans switched his FutureCast from UCLA to Michigan at the beginning of the month. He’s expected to officially visit the Bruins near the end of January but with UCLA struggling, it may be tough for them to change the momentum. As crazy as it is to say, things are really starting to trend towards Juwan Howard actually pulling this off.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Highlights
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- Rankings: Rivals (5*, #12 overall) – 247Sports (5*, #7 overall) – ESPN (5*, #11 overall)
- Composite Ranking: Five-star, #11 Overall, #2 SG, #5 in California
- Other Options: F Greg Brown
3. SF Jace Howard, 6’7” 210lbs. Miami, FL (University School)
Jace is the son of Juwan that has an offer in hand and has already taken official visit. He announced his plans to make a commitment in January and barring something drastic happening, it would be a complete surprise if it were for anyone but Michigan.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Highlights
- Michigan’s Chances: Excellent
- Rankings: Rivals (3*) – 247Sports (3*, #249 overall) – ESPN (N/A)
- Composite Ranking: N/A
- Other Options: F Greg Brown
4. F Terrance Williams, 6’6” 215lbs. Washington, DC (Gonzaga)
Williams is the latest big get for Juwan Howard on the recruiting trail. The tweener forward can score from all over the floor and brings a level of compete and effort that every good team needs to succeed. He shows the ability to knock down shots from the perimeter, in the mid-range, and can get to the bucket when driving the lane. Look for him to contribute quickly thanks to his impact on the defensive end.
- Story
- Highlights
- Signed LOI: No
- Commitment Date: 1/1/20
- Rankings: Rivals (4*, #94 overall) – 247Sports (4*, #100 overall) – ESPN (4*, #77 overall)
- Composite Ranking: Four-star, #84 Overall, #17 PF, #1 in DC
5. F/C Isaiah Todd, 6’10” 195lbs. Raleigh, NC (Word or God Christian Academy)
Will he sign or will he go to Australia? Juwan Howard already pulled off off the commitment and Todd continues to say publicly that he plans on signing. However, the going pro overseas for a year rumors continue to be out there. Until the ink is dry on his LOI, there will be a bit of doubt. But if Howard can get him in Ann Arbor for a year, lookout. Kid might be a top five pick.
- Story
- Highlights
- Signed LOI: No
- Commitment Date: 10/17/19
- Rankings: Rivals (5*, #10 overall) – 247Sports (5*, #14 overall) – ESPN (5*, #13 overall)
- Composite Ranking: Five-star, #12 Overall, #2 PF, #1 in North Carolina
- Other Options: F Greg Brown
6. C Hunter Dickinson, 7’2” 255lbs. Hyattsville, MD (DeMatha Catholic)
Dickinson has to love what Juwan Howard has done for Jon Teske’s interior game and what he could do for his. The big man has a very similar game to Teske’s but is more developed at this age. He should be able to come in and be the #2 big man to start his career in Ann Arbor.
- Story
- Highlights
- Signed LOI: No
- Commitment Date: 12/20/19
- Rankings: Rivals (4*, #38 overall)- 247Sports (4*, #37 overall) – ESPN (4*, #35 overall)
- Composite Ranking: Four-star, #34 Overall, #6 Center, #2 in Maryland
Just Missed
- F Greg Brown
- The #8 player in the class is expected to officially visit Ann Arbor for the MSU matchup on February 7th. Texas, Auburn, Kentucky and Memphis are fully involved here but the way Juwan Howard’s done on official visits, there may just be a chance to sway the momentum.
- PG Zaire Wade
- Dwayne Wade’s son is a three-star, top 200 recruit that is teammates with LeBron James’ son. He has the chance to take a full scholarship at DePaul, Rhode Island or Toledo but, according to The Wolverines Chris Balas, he could look to walk-on with the Wolverines ($).
Roster Impact
If Juwan Howard could get all six of the names on my list above to Ann Arbor for the 2020-21 season, there’s no doubt that Michigan would be one of the top bets to win the National Championship. Since attrition (via transfer or NBA Draft) would need to happen to fit all six into the 13 scholarship limit, there’ll be one extra scholarship member:
- PG #0 David DeJulius, JR
- SG Josh Christopher, FR
- SF #2 Isaiah Livers, SR
- PF #21 Franz Wagner, SO
- C Isaiah Todd, FR
- CG Zeb Jackson, FR
- SG #55 Eli Brooks, SR
- F #23 Brandon Johns Jr, JR
- C #11 Colin Castelton, JR
- C Hunter Dickinson, FR
- PG Brandon Wade, JR*
- SG #5 Adrien Nunez, JR
- G/F #22 Cole Bajema, SO
- F Terrance Williams, FR
- F Jace Howard, FR
Photo Credit: Marc-Grégor Campredon/MGoBlog
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