Michigan head coach John Beilein is back in the saddle after undergoing a heart procedure. He hasn't wasted any time getting back to recruiting.
Michigan football is always a great atmosphere in which to host recruits, and not just on the football end. Head coach John Beilein has brought hundreds of basketball prospects in during his 11 years at the helm in Ann Arbor, and he had more on campus Sept. 8 when the football Wolverines hosted Western Michigan.
Both commitments — Jalen Wilson of Denton (Texas) Guyer and Cole Bajema of Lynden (Wash.) Christian — were in for their officials, and class of 2020 Lance Ware (6-8, 205, Rivals.com’s No. 45 junior nationally) was in for an unofficial.
Wilson said the visit couldn’t have gone better.
“The visit was amazing,” Wilson said, adding that he loved being able to hang around with his future teammates and coaches. “Just spending time with everyone was the best part.”
He and Bajema got to know each other on the visit, as well, and got along great.
“He’s real cool,” Wilson said.
Bajema, too, had a great time.
“It went well,” he said. “I thought the football game (a 49-3 Michigan win) was awesome, and just being with the coaching staff for the day and being able to be with the players for a little while was great,” he said.
The current players weren’t the only Wolverines Bajema had a chance to interact with recently. He made it to former Michigan guard Jamal Crawford’s camp recently, where he earned high praise from the longtime NBA standout.
“You are a stud,” Crawford responded when Bajema tweeted a picture of the two together. “U of M got a good one!”
Camden (N.J.) Burlington’s Ware (6-8, 205, No. 45), meanwhile, made it to campus for the second time, indicating strong mutual interest. He was at the national championship game sitting in the Michigan section when the Wolverines faced Villanova.
“There was so much intensity in the game, it was ridiculous,” Ware said. “I like how [Beilein] runs his program and his players, and he is just a class act.”
Though there’s always the outside possibility Michigan could add another 2019 prospect in the late period, the coaches have focused most of their attention on 2020 prospects. They finally offered one in point guard Zeb Jackson.
Jackson said he was 'Blessed' to receive the offer. Story: ZEB JACKSON NABS OFFER.
The coaches hosted Ben Carlson (6-9, No. 52) and Anthony Leal last weekend.
Carlson had a good time, but said they didn't talk much about an offer. Lead said he loved everything about his Michigan visit. Most believe he's an Indiana lock if offered, but he's making the rounds in the Big Ten.
Beilein watched Ethan Morton last week at an open gym. Morton was at Indiana this weekend and will visit Michigan next month.
“We haven’t really discussed [an offer], but I’m really excited for the visit,” Morton said. “I don’t have a list right now, but I’m definitely interested in them.”
Others on the list: five-star Cade Cunningham of Montverde (Fla.) Academy, who is “one of the most well-rounded prospects in the country,” according to Rivals.com’s Corey Evans.
Cunningham already holds a Kansas offer and is interested in Duke, Virginia, Texas (he grew up a fan) and others.
The 6-7, 215-pounder is Rivals.com’s No. 15 junior prospect nationally. His older brother played at SMU.
Though he doesn’t like to talk recruiting, Cunningham did have great things to say about Michigan this summer.
“Coach [John] Beilein is a fantastic coach; he develops all of his players,” Cunningham said. “It is amazing. It is a blessing to have them on me, and I am obviously interested in everybody recruiting me, but he is a great coach and we will see how it goes.”
Cunningham hails from Texas and has developed a relationship with Shaka Smart.
Another 2020 on the radar is an up and comer. Jayden Stone of Birmingham (Ala.) Sacred Heart Catholic point guard is a three-star prospect now, but he’s likely to get a significant bump after a summer in which he stood out and earned offers from Georgetown, Kansas State and others and interest from the likes of North Carolina, Purdue and Michigan.
Stone, an Australian-American who attends Sacred Heart in Alabama, earned notice on the April adidas circuit playing with Team Carroll. He told Rivals.com that North Carolina, Michigan, Auburn, Iowa State and Vanderbiltare the schools that contact him most frequently.
“They are just telling that they are going to be down to see me work out soon and that they are really interested in me,” he said of Michigan. “They are a great program with great history, and it is just great to be in touch with them.
“I just want to be the best player that I can be, and I feel like their program elevates their players to get to the next level.”
Stone has two visits in mind, though he doesn’t have dates set.
“I am not sure yet about any visits, but I want to go to Michigan soon,” he said. “I will probably be at UNC for Late Night with Roy in a few weeks, too.”
From Rivals: “The definition of a versatile guard that can score, think the game, make others better and defend his position, Stone is well worth the attention that he is receiving. Look for more programs to jump into the mix for the Aussie guard in the coming weeks and months. While his recruitment is just beginning, things could change quickly if Michigan or North Carolina extend an offer.”
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