Michigan Basketball: DeJulius Signs, Has Big Goals For U-M
Detroit East English Village point guard David DeJulius was the first of five pledges to sign his letter of intent on National Signing Day Wednesday, and he becomes U-M’s first Detroit Public School League player since Manny Harris 10 years ago to be on scholarship.
DeJulius signed his letter of intent during a ceremony at his school. He averaged 27 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals in his junior year and helped lead East English to an 18-4 record.
He’s currently one of the frontrunners for Michigan’s Mr. Basketball award and has been nominated to the McDonald’s All-America team.
DeJulius thanked God, his family and his teammates (“my brothers … I’m with them more than I’m with my own family,” he noted. “I can’t ask for better teammates on an off the court”), and told Determined Series in the video below he’ll do everything he can to make Michigan fans proud of him.
“To my Michigan family … I understand how much of an honor it is to be a Michigan Wolverine,” he said. “I can’t wait to get to Ann Arbor and put on that uniform.
“I thought about it and it was just the decision was right, to be able to play under coach [John] Beilein, such a religious and great man, really gave me that trust to believe in him for my next four years in college. It’s a great atmosphere to be around, and I could see myself being there even if I wasn’t playing basketball. It just really was comfortable for me to make that decision. God told me this was the right decision for me.”
He has goals to win championships each year, and eventually to get to the NBA.
“I want to use the tools Michigan offers to make me a better person on and off the court,” he said.
“I love this game. I eat, sleep and drink this game. I love it, watch film, go home and watch film of point guards, their decision making. I just try to work out as much as I can, learn about my diet, the best way I want my body. I take this game very seriously … all aspects of it.”
He’s got one more year before he wears the Michigan uniform, but he already considers himself part of the program.
"Being a Wolverine is like getting a PhD and being a doctor," DeJulius said. "Adding Dr. to your name sets you apart, just like having that block 'M' next to your name. It's priceless.
"I can't wait wait to play alongside those guys ... high character guys that will make great teammates, brothers and great war-mates."
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