Michigan Basketball: More Honors For Signees, Targets Playing Well

Medina, Ohio big man Jon Teske (7-1, Rivals.com’s No. 109 senior nationally) blocked half a dozen shots in the first five minutes alone during Ohio All-Stars 94-92 win over Kentucky over the weekend, a force on defense. Teske added a second Medina Gazette Player of the Year honor to his list of prep accolades, only the second player ever to win it back to back.

Medina had a memorable season, winning 19 games for the second time in three years, finished second to Brunswick in the Greater Cleveland Conference and became the first county team to reach three straight district title games. Teske averaged 16.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.6 blocks.

Teske was also a Mr. Basketball finalist — the honor went to future Michigan teammate Xavier Simpson of Lima — first-team All-Ohioan and the Greater Cleveland Conference Player of the Year.

“But the four-year letterwinner’s impact went far beyond statistics,” the Gazette’s Albert Grindle wrote. “Teske’s ability to block/alter shots without fouling — he very rarely had to sit because of foul trouble — took away any direct attack of the basket within 15 feet, forcing a lot of teams outside their comfort zones. Teske’s inside scoring forced teams to double team constantly, but his mid-range jumpers and 3-pointers a la Zydrunas Ilgauskas also kept them from packing the paint.

“Maybe above all, though, was that Teske’s vision may have been the best in the country — yes, country — among players taller than 6-10. Attempting full-court pressure on Medina proved futile, as guards would lob to Teske at center court and he’d find the open man every time.

Doubling in the half court often proved fatal, too, as Teske, who scored 1,130 points in a county-record 97 games, was masterful recognizing the double team.”

“He’s a program-changer from multiple angles because ultimately we want to win games, but we want our kids to represent our school well,” head coach Chris Hassinger said. “He’s the pinnacle of that. He’s a great kid, he’s a Christian kid, he doesn’t have a foul mouth, he leads by example, he’s an example to little kids, he takes time to shake hands with people when people come in to see the ‘celebrity’ Jon Teske and looks him in the eye and introduces himself like they’ve never heard of him before.”

Teske scored four points and was credited with five blocked shots in the Ohio – Kentucky game, though observers there said it was more than that. He almost singlehandedly changed the game, forcing Kentucky to do everything outside the paint.

Fellow senior Simpson 5-11, Lima, Ohio), Rivals.com’s No. 86 senior, scored 12 points and wing Ibi Watson (6-6, Pickerington Central three-star) added two.

Class Of 2017 Report

We’ve had updates recently with a number of Michigan 2017 recruits, starting with pledge Jordan Poole. Poole told us he remains solid with the Wolverines, and he had an outstanding weekend on the AAU circuit first week of April.

Poole will run with the Mac Irvin Fire on the EYBL circuit, having moved from Wisconsin Playground Elite.

Kyle Young of Massillon, Ohio (6-7, No. 139) continues to talk with head coach John Beilein quite a bit. He told BadgerBlitz.com he has 15 offers … Butler, Purdue, Michigan, Clemson, Xavier were the ones that stood out to him. He’s visited those five, Davidson, West Virginia and a couple others.

“I’m wide open, feeling it out,” he said, noting he’d like to decide “going into my senior season.” He is also hearing from Indiana.

Young holds a Michigan offer. He’s playing with King James AAU this spring.

Look for an offer soon for Jamal Cain of Pontiac Cornerstone. As we reported this morning, he’ll visit April 27, and he and head coach John Beilein have forged a relationship over the past several weeks.

Cain (6-7, No. 70) was named MVP of the Grand Rapids Storm Classic. He and The Family AAU will play at Nike EYBL in Brooklyn this coming weekend.

“I think we’re ready,” Cain told Spartanmag.com. “Coming here and playing against the competition, and playing with guys that have played in the EYBL before and just getting the rhythm of playing with guys that have been there has been a good experience.”

Michigan continues to watch point guard Jarrod West Jr. as well – we wrote about him a few days ago.

Another Michigan has watched closely recently: four-star Malik Williams (6-10, 200) of Fort Wayne, Ind., Snider. He’s a longer shot and holds offers from Michigan State, Indiana and others, but he’s on the radar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SJgks7IWp8