Michigan has a number of options for its remaining 2018 scholarship, and there’s a possibility it could be filled by a transfer. San Jose St. forward Brandon Clarke is considering U-M as a destination …
A look at U-M’s scholarship chart:
2017-18
1: Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman, 6-4 Sr. SG
2: Duncan Robinson, 6-8 5th-Sr.* SG
3. Jaaron Simmons, 6-0 5th-Sr.* PG
4: Moritz Wagner, 6-9 Jr. PF
5: Charles Matthews, 6-6 So.* SF
6: Jon Teske, 6-11 So. C
7: Ibi Watson, 6-5 So. SG
8: Xavier Simpson, 5-11 So. PG
9: Austin Davis, 6-10 Fr.* C
10: Jordan Poole, 6-3 Fr. SG
11: Eli Brooks, 6-1 Fr. PG/SG
12: Isaiah Livers, 6-8 Fr. PF
13: Open
2018-19
1: Moritz Wagner, 6-9 Sr. PF
2: Charles Matthews, 6-6 Jr.* SF
3: Jon Teske, 6-11 Jr. C
4: Ibi Watson, 6-5 Jr. SG
5: Xavier Simpson, 5-11 Jr. PG
6: Austin Davis, 6-10 So.* C
7: Jordan Poole, 6-3 So. SG
8: Eli Brooks, 6-1 So. PG/SG
9: Isaiah Livers, 6-8 So. PF
10: David DeJulius, 6-0 Fr. PG
11: Brandon Johns, 6-8 Fr. PF
12: Taylor Currie, 6-8 Fr. PF/C
13: Open
2019-20
1: Charles Matthews, 6-6 5th-Sr. SF
2: Jon Teske, 6-11 Sr. C
3: Ibi Watson, 6-5 Sr. SG
4: Xavier Simpson, 5-11 Sr. PG
5: Austin Davis, 6-10 Jr.* C
6: Jordan Poole, 6-3 Jr. SG
7: Eli Brooks, 6-1 Jr. PG/SG
8: Isaiah Livers, 6-8 Jr. PF
9: David DeJulius, 6-0 So. PG
10: Brandon Johns, 6-8 So. PF
11: Taylor Currie, 6-8 So. PF/C
12: Open
13: Open
Keep in mind, it’s very possible — almost probable — there will be at least two spots available due to attrition. Junior center Moritz Wagner is a likely first round NBA Draft pick if he leaves after next season, and there are always transfer candidates.
Clarke is a last bloomer out of Phoenix Desert Vista High School, where he was reportedly a top shot blocker, rated as a ‘top-five most versatile player’ by Arizona Power Basketball. He led Desert Vista to the Division I state championship game in 2015 and was named a first-team All-Arizona Division I honoree by The Arizona Republic. He notched 10 triple-doubles as a senior that included points, rebounds and blocks and averaged 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 4.0 blocks as a junior.
The 6-8, 210-pounder averaged 17.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game last year for the Spartans, shooting 58.5 percent from two-point range. He’s not a shooter, however … he attempted only three triples.
Cal, Oregon, Utah, Washington State, Nebraska, Virginia Tech, Grand Canyon, Oklahoma, Clemson, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are others on his list, and there are more. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining, but will be required to sit out this season due to NCAA transfer rules.
Clarke was an All-Mountain West first team and All-Defensive team selection, averaging a league-best 2.6 blocked shots per game. He was named Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 8.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Mountain West-best 2.6 blocks per game.
Word is there is serious mutual interest between the two, and a visit will likely be set up soon.
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