Michigan class of 2021 signee and McDonald’s All-American Kobe Bufkin will be sidelined for a while with a wrist injury. He suffered a hairline fracture in a game with Grand Rapids Catholic Central Feb. 20 in a 59-44 loss.
Bufkin scored his 1,000th career point in a Feb. 19 victory over Northview. The Eagles then fell to Catholic Central, but Bufkin still earned area player of the week honors after averaging 27.5 points in wins over the Wildcats (29 points) and Forest Hills Central (26), averaging seven reobunds and four assists in the two games, as well.
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Sources have told TheWolverine.com he hopes to be back by the state playoffs.
“He is definitely in good spirits,” coach Eric Taylor told Mlive.com. “He is optimistic that he will be able to come back. For now, just him being at the practices, being a leader, cheering on his teammates and being an extension of the coaching staff will be huge for our team.”
Bufkin scored 29 points in a Feb. 12 win over Byron Center.
Like John Beilein used to, Howard has been spending more time coaching than recruiting in-season.
“I’ve been so locked into this Big Ten season,” he said. “When the season is over, then we can get onto a lot of those different topics and conversations. I’m not saying I haven’t spoken to any recruits, but I’m very proud of the recruits we’ve signed, with the three young men who are the Burger Boys! [McDonald's All-Americans Caleb Houstan, Kobe Bufkin and Moussa Diabate].”
U-M’s 2021 representatives are the first since Daniel Horton in the early 2000s.
“I’m so happy for them; well-earned,” Howard said. “Three other youngsters, Frankie (Collins), Isaiah (Barnes) and then Will (Tschetter) — those young men, they’re in the midst of their season, and they’re having a great, healthy season. They’re a part of our family, and looking back to the text I received earlier today before the game from Frankie Collins … he was so pumped up, ready for this [Iowa] game, looking forward to watching it.
“It was just so special to know that we have some beautiful people that are involved in this program. I’m so just happy to be a part of their journey.”
Tschetter was the focus of another outstanding article on his life on and off the court recently. From the Star-Tribune:
"Coach Howard said we want to win and have fun while we're doing it," Tschetter said. "That's what I want to do."
“He's humble, hard-working, high-character. Just everything you look for and who you want your kids to grow up and be,” Stewartville coach Adam Girtman said.
Tschetter averaged 34.4 points per game to lead the state last year and is at 33.2 points and 12.1 rebounds per game this season.
Barnes is playing, too, his season having just begun in Chicago. He scored 28 points and shot the ball extremely well in a win over Curie:
On the 2022 side, Michigan is now a strong favorite to add a four-star to its class. As we noted a few weeks back, Gregg Glenn seemed to be leaning U-M, and Rivals.com’s Jamie Shaw just interviewed him and put in a futurecast for the Wolverines.
“I would describe my game as a hard-nosed player. I am versatile. I can get to the basket when I want. In the paint I can score multiple ways,” he said recently. “My shot is getting better and I am one of the best passers in the country.” Glenn continued, “I play defense well, I bring energy and excitement to the floor. People say I play like Draymond Green, PJ Washington and others.
He said he is hearing the most from hearing from Alabama, Michigan, Arkansas, Miami, Florida State, Florida and Iowa State right now.
“They are family up there,” Glenn said of U-M. “They have a great program and work together, as a team. They get kids to where they want to go. They are showing they are really interested in me, and I love that. They’ve been doing great this season too. I talk with coach Juwan (Howard).”
This one is looking good for the Wolverines.
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