The Michigan Wolverines had a disappointing 2022-23 season, although they did finish with their fourth straight winning season under Juwan Howard at 18-16. The Wolverines, who finished fifth in the Big Ten, lost in the conference tournament’s first and NIT’s second rounds.
Following the season, the Wolverines lost Hunter Dickinson and Isaiah Barnes to the transfer portal. Jett Howard and Kobe Bufkin have entered the 2023 NBA draft and are not expected to return. Joey Baker has exhausted his eligibility, although he and Jaelin Llewellyn, who is planning on returning, are seeking another year due to medical issues.
Michigan guard Jaelin Llewellyn plans to return to the program in 2023-24, he tells me.
“We’re working on my medical redshirt, but it’s definitely looking like it’ll happen. I just can’t wait to be back on the court doing what I can.”https://t.co/QZhYZf40iW
— Alejandro Zúñiga (@ByAZuniga) April 1, 2023
Llewellyn appeared in eight games before tearing his ACL. Meanwhile, Baker only played in four games back in 2017-18.
Michigan Basketball: Juwan Howard Changing Recruiting Strategy?
Howard, a fantastic recruiter, has responded positively since losing his three top players – Dickinson, Howard, and Bufkin. Howard has picked up commitments for three transfers, with former UNC guard Caleb Love and Seton Hall transfer Tray Jackson pledging their commitments on April 7.
Since taking over his alma mater in 2019, each of Howard’s recruiting classes has ranked in the top 65 of the nation. Howard’s last three recruiting classes have each ranked in the top 15. The 2021 recruiting class is his highest-rated at No. 3 in the country. The Wolverines had seven consensus top 100 players on their roster last season.
Sports Illustrated Director of Recruiting Jason Jordan details why Howard is a great recruiter.
“Every kid I talk to loves Juwan Howard or, their dad loves Juwan Howard,” Jordan explained. “Juwan is a players’ coach. Kids talk to him one time, even on the phone, literally, one time, and Michigan is on the list. He’s done an amazing job in year one. You couldn’t script a foundation for future recruiting and a reputation, which is everything, any better.”
While Howard has been great at recruiting high school kids, he hasn’t spent much time on transfers. Howard has signed six transfers in his first four seasons in Ann Arbor, including just one in the last two classes. However, his recruiting philosophy may be changing.
Michigan already has three transfers in the fold in 2023 and two incoming freshmen. The Wolverines’ upcoming recruiting class is ranked 30th in the nation and 24th on the transfer market.
After picking up a commitment from former Alabama guard Nimari Burnett last week, Howard secured the services of Jackson and Love on Friday. Howard is also reportedly in hot pursuit of several other transfers.
But the big thing this offseason is for the Wolverines to get their culture back to where it needs to be, according to forward Will Tschetter.
“The big thing is getting our culture back where it needs to be,” Tschetter told The Michigan Insider on Saturday. “From a team aspect, make sure that everyone is getting better, everyone knows what they need to do in order for us to win. Getting back to where we need to be.
Committed Transfers
Caleb Love, North Carolina
Love, who spent three seasons at UNC, projects to be the Wolverines’ starting two-guard. The 6-4 guard is a high-volume scorer who is below-average defensively. The former five-star recruit doesn’t shoot the three well though 46% of his career attempts are from beyond the arc. He is a capable distributor, gets to the free-throw line, and has improved his shooting percentage each season.
Tray Jackson, Seton Hall
Jackson, a Detroit native, will finish his collegiate career with Michigan. He played one year at Missouri and three seasons at Seton Hall. The 6-10 forward projects to get some minutes off the bench at both the four and five for the Wolverines.
Jackson is below average offensively though he can stretch the floor, as a career 35.5% 3-point shooter. He is also a good offensive rebounder.
Nimari Burnett, Alabama
Burnett, a former five-star recruit, is making his third collegiate start. The former five-star recruit played 12 games at Texas Tech after suffering an ACL injury and then appeared in 27 contests for Alabama. He should be an impact player for UM, which is why he chose the Wolverines.
“Knowing Juwan Howard, knowing the roster structure there, and knowing the type of culture that he has there,” Burnett explained to MaizenBrew. “You came into this situation to better yourself as a player and as a person,” “Although I have done that, I do think I can get even better in a better situation.”
Burnett is an outstanding defender. The 6-4 guard is not a great shooter though he showed improvement this past season. He does need to improve his 3-point shooting.
Transfers the Wolverines are Pursuing
Michigan is reportedly interested in several other transfers. However, the Wolverines may not have any scholarships available unless someone else departs. The Wolverines have 12 players on scholarship, including incoming freshmen – George Washington III and Papa Kante. They won’t have any scholarships available if Llewellyn returns.
Yohan Traore, Auburn
Yohan Traore, a 6-10 center, entered the transfer on April 4 after one season at Auburn. The 5-star 2022 recruit averaged 2.1 points and 1.2 rebounds in less than 10 minutes a game.
Chris Ledlum, Harvard
Michigan reached out to Harvard transfer Chris Ledlum on March 23. Ledlum is a three-level scorer, although he is not a great shooter and a ferocious rebounder. The athletic 6-6 forward averaged 18.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks last year. He produced a shooting slash line of .473/.294/.643.
Hunter Sallis, Gonzaga
Hunter Sallis is a 6-5 guard who spent the past two seasons at Gonzaga. The former 5-star recruit made strides last year in his game overall. Sallis is a fantastic shooter though he does need to improve from beyond the arc.
Tamar Bates, Indiana
Michigan reached out to Indiana transfer Tamar Bates over a week ago. The 6-5 guard is not a great shooter, but he showed tremendous improvement last season, knocking down 37.4% of his 3-point attempts this past season.
Indiana transfer Tamar Bates heard from the following schools yesterday, following his entry to the transfer portal, he told @Stockrisers:
Mizzou, Iowa State, K-State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Michigan, Creighton, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Wichita State, others.
— Jake (@jakeweingarten) March 30, 2023
