Michigan Basketball Recruiting: Nojel Eastern Enjoyed Visit

Michigan hosted Evanston, Ill., combo guard Nojel Eastern (6-5, Rivals.com's No. 58 rising senior nationally) Wednesday, a visit that couldn't have gone much better. Eastern was on campus for only a day, but it was enough to make the Wolverines a contender.

It was a "good trip," Eastern reported, even though it didn't end in an offer - yet.

"They said they will look over my transcripts," Eastern reported.

U-M has become a viable option, though, and his visit ranked up near the top of his unofficials to date. The Wolverines are looking for another ball handler, and Eastern is that and more.

Some, including our Jeff Schiller (MHoops1 on the boards), see him as a Darius Morris (former Michigan PG) type.

"The 6-6 junior point guard (yes, you read that right - you normally read about 6-6 kids playing the point in high school and think college wing or combo at best, but Eastern is a legit point guard) from Evanston High School is a terrific facilitator," Schiller reported. "He's an elite passer with excellent court vision and a good handle who has the ability to go left or right (he's a natural lefty, but actually drives more to his right).

"Eastern is also a good athlete with a quick first step. His deficiency is shooting - his perimeter shot is not at all good form-wise (and flat to boot), he has a slow release and he's reluctant to take it, and he doesn't finish as well as he could for a kid of his size and athleticism (looks to pass too much).

"There's a Darius Morris comparison here except that he's a better athlete, but a far worse scorer. His elite playmaking ability makes him a mid-four star (60-80); however, he has to become a better scorer to be a true impact player at the next level."

On the recruiting trail, Michigan is the latest to get heavily involved. Michigan State, Ohio State and Purdue have been on him for some time, but U-M is picking up the interest. He told Purdue Rivals in mid-June that the Wolverines’ John Beilein has been on him and said while others call his mother, U-M calls him directly.

"Man, they're all coming in hard. I honestly can't even give you five or six," Eastern said a few weeks back. "If I could, I would, but I honestly can't. They've all been coming in hard, and there are some new schools that are entering the mix, as well."

DePaul, Illinois and Xavier are among the others, but Purdue has made a very strong impression, he added. So, now, has Michigan.