Michigan Basketball Recruiting: Coaches Watching Justin Roberts

Michigan coaches are working the 2017 recruiting class hard, evaluating talent and selectively handing out offers. They’ve recently picked up the interest in Indianapolis Pike junior guard Justin Roberts.

Roberts (5-10, 160) played off the ball for much of his junior year in averaging 17 points, 3.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. He can play both guard positions, though, and calls point guard his natural position.

“I think that’s where my skills are,” he said. “I can steal the ball, shoot it, distribute … I’m just showing I’m a leader, can shoot the ball, can score, be a playmaker, create for my team -- everything I can do to show what I can do.”

Roberts “had a really nice game on Saturday” at Spiece Run ‘n Slam, scoring 20 points, passing it well and running the offense as Spiece rallied from a 30-10 deficit for a 62-60 win in another 17U game, Peegs.com reported.

DePaul has been on him hardest lately, Roberts reported, while Xavier, Toledo, Dayton and Notre Dame have also been recruiting him. He has been hearing a lot from Michigan recently, however.

“Last month I picked up interest from Michigan a lot,” he said. “… Coach [Jeff] Meyer and Coach Beilein have been in touch. They’ve showed interest since my freshman year, sophomore year. I know Michigan is a great all-around school and Ann Arbor is a great city. You can’t really go wrong with the Big Ten.”

Roberts has been on campus twice, most recently in fall for a football game. He’s planning on taking some more visits this summer in search of the best fit for him.

Playing on the Nike EYBL circuit and more than holding his own has been a great selling point.

“It makes you better for the next level, is easier for the coaches to see how high I can play at a top level,” he said after helping lead Spiece to its first 17U Run n Slam title since 2005. “I feel like we made some history here.”

If his strong play continues, his offer list will no doubt expand – perhaps even to the Big Ten.