Michigan was supposed to host four-star big man Pete Nance this weekend ... after the Wolverines landed four-star forward Brandon Johns of East Lansing (Mich.) and Nance pledged to Northwestern, the coaching staff called an audible.
Pickerington (Ohio) standout Jerome Hunter is on campus now for his official visit. U-M has only one more scholarship to give in the class right now, and Hunter has been a priority.
Hunter recently narrowed his list to a final five of Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State, Pitt and Xavier.
“It was just based on him being the top priority and what he is most looking for at the next level,” Andreas James, Hunter’s trainer, said. “Those five check those boxes.
“He is open to new schools coming in, but based on the schools recruiting him, he is down to those five.”
U-M, of course, hopes to land him soon. He said in May he had become tight with the Michigan staff.
"I’ve been talking with Michigan a lot, Coach [John] Beilein and Coach [Saddi] Washington," he said. "I like Michigan and I like Coach Beilein. They develop players, and I just like that."
Brooklyn Nets rookie Caris LeVert is another Pickerington star the coaches developed, and he's undoubtedly put in a good word for the Wolverines.
"I just know it’s a good place to be. That’s what I hear from everybody that goes there," Hunter said. "Me and coach Washington, we are real close, too. I talk to him pretty much every day about life.
"I like Michigan. They have good facilities and good academics."
Hunter averaged roughly 19 points and 10 rebounds per game for Pickerington North this season, leading them to a 22-7 overall record.
“[Coaches] like how I’m versatile, can do anything on the court they want me to do,” he said. “I can bring the ball up the court, post up, play on the wing, rebound and everything. I’ll score if they need me to score.”
Watch for more on this development in the hours to come.
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