2015 Guard and Wing Recruiting (PJ Dozier, etc.)

This discussion was created from comments split from: Assorted Notes.

Michigan is now expressing interest and recruiting 2015 MoKan Elite guard Shake Milton

— Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) June 26, 2014

Update: L.C. #Bird basketball standout Kenny Williams (@KWill_24) has been offered by St. Josephs. #Michigan and #UNC have shown interest.

— Josh Mathews (@joshmathewsVN) May 29, 2014

Williams only listed at 6’2 - 6’3 - looks a bit bigger than that to me. His body movement and release remind me of Nick Young a bit, of course he doesn’t have the handle/change of direction that Young has or he would be a top 20 player. Limited film, but I like Williams a bit more than Milton based on the above. Milton has excellent body control though. Both guys are strictly SGs at this point, neither have a strong handle, but both can create a jumpshot off 1-2 dribbles. Williams a bit more athletic.

Williams only listed at 6'2 - 6'3 - looks a bit bigger than that to me. His body movement and release remind me of Nick Young a bit, of course he doesn't have the handle/change of direction that Young has or he would be a top 20 player. Limited film, but I like Williams a bit more than Milton based on the above. Milton has excellent body control though. Both guys are strictly SGs at this point, neither have a strong handle, but both can create a jumpshot off 1-2 dribbles. Williams a bit more athletic.

The video above says Williams is 6’4 and it’s only a month old. Probably more recent than his listed heights on recruiting sites.

Shake Milton has ridiculous length but he does lack explosiveness.

I am surprised UM hasn’t gotten involved with Jimmy Whitt.

Shake Milton has ridiculous length but he does lack explosiveness.

He really does. He only seems to get about 6 inches off the ground. I don’t seem him being able to finish most of those lay ups at the next level.

I like Williams way more based on those two videos. Especially if he’s a legit 6’4.

I am surprised UM hasn’t gotten involved with Jimmy Whitt.

Saw him play this weekend at Minnesota team camp. Very good player. Tops out at 6’3 and I think thats being extremely generous. Gophers all over him, his HS team came up to Minneapolis, so there has to be mutual interest.

Kenny Williams film from Top 100 Camp

Shake’s left hand is terrific, deadly crossover. Williams’s jumpshot is silky, silky smooth. Like both these players.

I’m impressed with all these new 2015 guys we’re getting involved with. Leave it to Beilein to identify late bloomers.

I'm impressed with all these new 2015 guys we're getting involved with. Leave it to Beilein to identify late bloomers.

Not sure they are really “late bloomers” per se. It’s more that it’s becoming clear that the staff wants a high caliber SG in the 2015 class. To take the next logical step, I don’t yet see this as a reason to fret over Jalen Coleman. It’s more a case of widening the net so that if Michigan does miss with him, they aren’t starting from scratch with other prospects.

All that said, I too am glad the list of 2015 wing guard prospects is growing.

Prince Ali tells Scout that UCLA and Louisville have officially offered him a scholarship. He's having a terrific spring & summer.

— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) July 15, 2014

Maryland has offered, as well.

Some thoughts…

With the ever-expanding list of 2015 SG targets, I thought I’d try to rank them. This probably means very little - since when I tried ranking the 2014 stretch 4 targets last summer, I had DJ Wilson at the bottom of the list; shows how much I know. With that said, I’m just going to list everyone for whom I’ve read at least a small level of interest:

  1. Perry Dozier, Jr. - guestavo says this ship has sailed. Too bad, since I think he’s the best. Love his game - his ability to create, his length, probably could step in easily for LeVert. But, with a love for North Carolina and ties to South Carolina, perhaps the recruiting energy is better allocated elsewhere.
  2. Jalen Coleman - great shooter who could probably do well in the ball screen game. Athletic enough.
  3. Prince Ali - love his athleticism and debated putting him above Coleman. I think more upside than Coleman. Can get to the rack very efficiently and is a superb defender (would make quite a defensive backcourt with juniors Walton and Irvin). Would like to see or hear that his outside shot is improving and that he can create for others.
  4. Eric Davis - can score in a variety of ways, nice length, nice elevation on jumper.
  5. A.J. Turner - I like his length and versatility and connection to Aubrey Dawkins
  6. Kenny Williams - great shooter; don’t see a lot of creating ability in his game, but haven’t watched much video
  7. Shake Milton - ridiculous length, nice handle and passing ability. Can’t jump. Reminds me of a Detroit PSL player with his craftiness on offensive end.
  8. Danjel Purifoy - excellent length, strength, and athleticism. I assume needs a jump shot.
  9. Dillon Brooks - strong, big body who can finish at the rim. Nice Findlay Prep connection to DTJr.
  10. Jalen Poyser - like the first name and Findlay Prep connection to DTJr.

Ideally I’d like us to get one of the top 3 players I listed, someone who could realistically get some good PT his first year here.

I am really hoping - like we all are - for a monster 2016 class. One that could rival or surpass the 2012 class. Thornton Jr. would be awesome and probably a freshman All-American if Walton is gone. I really love Leaf’s game and he would fit perfectly. What is especially nice about these two is they would get tons of playing time, even with a senior Walton and juniors Wilson and Chatman on the roster.

We’d also need another wing and again, there will be plenty of options like the 2015 SGs.

It’ll be interesting to see what big we get between the 2015 and 2016 class. My ideal big would be Henry Ellenson - I think he’d elevate us to national championship contenders in a similar way to McGary, although different players. But I don’t see that happening. Sharma or Teske would give us a nice, tall center capable of fitting in nicely on offense, but also disruptive on defense. I think Sharma would be a great roll man with the way he can finish.

Ali is actually lauded for his outside shot and Dillon Brooks is arguably the best player out of that crop but good stuff.

@EvanDaniels: Dillon Brooks is at it again. Has double digits in first half. Hit a three, a pull up from 18 and another three buckets at the rim.

@EvanDaniels: Dillon Brooks is at it again. Has double digits in first half. Hit a three, a pull up from 18 and another three buckets at the rim.

Dillon Brooks is one of those players who was unstoppable in every event he has been in (25ppg, leading scorer in FIBA) but scouts didn’t rank him high because he “isn’t uber athletic.” Kid is top 30 and right there with Ali, Dozier and Coleman.

Prince Ali names UCLA leader

Prince Ali names leader at Peach Jam (VIP) http://t.co/ydBpZvIvJh via @247Sports

— Mike Hughes (@ITVHughes) July 17, 2014

Its been known UCLA is his leader for awhile.

Using 2 biased UK sources means absolutely nothing. Not sure how Booker’s play is a plus but UK has better facilities so that one isn’t shocking lol

For example http://247sports.com/User/Chris%20Fisher/Predictions?PlayerInstitution.PrimaryPlayerSport.Recruitment.Year=2014&PlayerInstitution.PrimaryPlayerSport.Sport=Basketball

Its been known UCLA is his leader for awhile.

I’m hoping he sees the light when he visits Michigan for a football game.

Its been known UCLA is his leader for awhile.

I’m hoping he sees the light when he visits Michigan for a football game.

That’s assuming he actually makes it to campus for a visit. We’ve been burned like that before…gotta get the visit to make an impact (Harris)

I would love to get Ali - has unlimited potential to be a very good 2 way player

The thing with UCLA and Ali is that I don’t know how high they hold him out of all their offers. They have 3 spots and 25 offers out.

The ''Inside The Hall" IU guy crystal balled Coleman to ND btw.