Wilkes made the first cut at USA U18 tryouts.
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Wilkes on Michigan
On Michigan: “It’s a different staff than what recruited me before. So it was good to meet them in person and get to know them a little more. [Coach John] Beilein came down to visit during the school year, so I’m geting to learn more about the staff and about the campus.”
https://www.sny.tv/college-recruiting/news/kris-wilkes-talks-usa-basketball-recruiting/184391202
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ooo cant tell if thats a good thing or bad thing… seemed least positive about Michigan of the schools mentioned
Three former Michigan offers also made the list: Bridges, Huerter, and Cassius Winston.
Good DraftExpress scouting report on Kris Wilkes at USA BB U18
Kris Wilkes, 6-7, SF/PF, North Central High School, IN 2017 Class, Uncommitted
Strengths
-Impressive physical profile. Tremendous athlete. Frame that will out nicely in time. Highly explosive vertically, and also has nice quickness
-Very effective in transition
-Has some instincts as a scorer
-Shows some flashes as a jump-shooter. Gets off the floor and can throw the ball in the basket. Makes turnaround jumpers out of the post
-Can get to the rim in a straight line
-Has the potential to be a multi-positional defender who can make plays on the perimeter and interior. Covers ground nicely. Switches ball screens
Weaknesses
-Has the measurements of a small forward at 6’7 in shoes, 194 pounds with a 6’10 ½ wingspan and an 8’8 standing reach, but the game of 4-man right now.
-Average ball-handler. Straight line guy. No off hand. Settles for floaters from outside the paint
-Feel for the game is average. Average passer. Doesn’t always know his limitations. Very focused on his scoring, to the point of demonstrating poor shot-selection.
-Jump-shot is a major work in progress. Doesn’t get great balance underneath him. Kicks his legs out on the release.
-Catch and shoot guy right now. Doesn’t have any off the dribble shooting ability
-Still figuring out how to fully utilize his tools defensively. Plays on his heels at times, reaches.
OutlookFace-up 4-man tracking as a McDonald’s All-American early on judging by his recruiting rankings. Has some real tools to work with physically, particularly on the defensive end, but has a long ways to go skill-wise at the same time.
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A couple of official visits in the works for Wilkes.
• Kris Wilkes: The 6-8 North Central standout has a busy July set. He’ll participate in the Under Armour All-America Camp in Charlotte, N.C., through Friday. On Monday, Wilkes will travel to Houston as a finalist for the USA U18 national team. Wilkes is one of 18 players vying for a spot on the 12-player roster. If he makes the team, he’ll travel to Chile for the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship from July 19-23.
Wilkes has one official visit set, to UCLA. He plans to make that visit the weekend of Aug. 5-7. Wilkes would also like to make an official visit to Maryland, but hasn’t set a date. Wilkes is ranked No. 17 nationally by Rivals.com in 2017. He’ll cut down his list after July.
What do you think, Dylan; any chance we steal this guy out from Crean’s nose? I know it’s his home turf, but we have been successful in Indiana
Spring decisions are almost better in some ways - you can fill up your class and then you may still have some room with early departures.
Also could be bad if your plan B guys commit before the spring and then you’re stuck like we have been in the past.
If I was Michigan, I certainly wouldn’t plan my class based on the expectation that Wilkes is going to be a part of it. Spring decision means that you can keep recruiting him and make a push, but probably have to prioritize other players in the near-term and push for fall commitments.
The approach for Wilkes has to be that he’ll make an impact no matter who is in the class.
For now, I think you go all in on Kyle Young and push to get an official visit and take your best shot. Same with Jamal Cain, the same guys that have been priorities.
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It’s a tough situation to be in for us. The talent level difference is so big between Wilkes and young/Cain that we may have to settle for young or Cain. Wilkes makes this team a top 10 team vs maybe a top 25 with young/Cain.
I like Wilkes, but your comparison of where we’d be with him and with Young/Cain instead (especially Young, who I really like, and who fits really well with this roster) is a bridge too far for me. That difference is about a 3-4 game swing, and I don’t see it. Actually, if you gave me one choice from among guys we’re recruiting in the '17 class, Wilkes wouldn’t be it–I’d have both Bowen and Jaren Jackson ahead of him. Wilkes might turn out to be a better player, but with the makeup of this team going forward, I think our ideal player is someone with more perimeter shooting ability than Wilkes has. Don’t get me wrong–I’d be thrilled to get him–but I respectfully disagree with your evaluation of the difference he would make.
I’ve seen Wilkes and Bowen in person. Wilkes can do a whole lot more on a basketball court compared to Bowen.
I was afraid you would say that. Not that I wouldnt be very happy with Young and Cain, but Wilkes seems like (as johnmiller said) Wilkes would be a huge talent upgrade. I would also like JB to prove that he can land the top 25 guys, occasionally - we all saw what he could do with 5 star talent.
Are you similarly wary of our chances with Jackson and Bowen? I know Bowen is (supposedly) a huge sparty lean, but haven’t heard as much decisive murmurs on Jackson. Of all the players on our board, I think Jackson would help the team the most, even more than Wilkes; he could be similar to what TJ Leaf could have been, IMO.
Well, another thing to consider is whether a freshman Wilkes would help us more than 2-3 years (at least) of Cain and Young, because Wilkes is quite possibly a one-and-done talent.
From the film I’ve seen, Wilkes is great at driving to the basket, and athletic, but doesn’t shoot particularly well - almost a better version (though perhaps not by much) of Charles Mathews.
I think Jackson is probably a longshot (Maryland/Georgetown), and Bowen seems to be waiting on a Kentucky offer.
I would say prioritize Cain, Young, Eastern, and Livers, in that order (unless Jackson turns out to be a real possibility), and then by spring, when we can potentially add someone, we’ll have a shot at Wilkes.
The length for which the player will stay with us is a good point. I cant say how confident I am that Wilkes would leave after one year, but I would take two years of Wilkes–over basically any option other than 2 years of Jackson–in a heart beat.
Unfortunately, your takes on Jackson and Bowen are the same that I have heard. I guess I am just hoping, at this point.
For the sake of argument, I would prioritize those same players in the order of: Young, Cain, Eastern, Livers–with Cain and Eastern being a wash, for me. I love Cain’s shooting, but I would also like to see Eastern bringing the ball up the court.