The Wolverine

December 2018

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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54 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2018 BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan has its first 2020 commit- ment in Toledo (Ohio) four-star point guard Zeb Jackson (6-3, 165, Ri- vals.com's No. 72 junior nationally), and head coach John Beilein and his staff are actively recruiting others to join him from the junior class. How many more the Wolverines take depends on attrition and other factors, but the current scholarship chart looks like this: 2019-20 1: Charles Matthews, 6-6 5th-Sr. SF 2: Jon Teske, 6-11 Sr. C 3: Xavier Simpson, 5-11 Sr. PG 4: Austin Davis, 6-10 Jr.* C 5: Jordan Poole, 6-3 Jr. SG 6: Eli Brooks, 6-1 Jr. PG/SG 7: Isaiah Livers, 6-8 Jr. PF 8: David DeJulius, 6-0 So. PG 9: Brandon Johns, 6-8 So. PF 10: Ignas Brazdeikis, 6-7 So. SF 11: Colin Castleton, 6-11 So. C 12: Adrien Nunez, 6-5 So. SG 13: Jalen Wilson, 6-6 Fr. SF 14: Cole Bajema, 6-7 Fr. SG * Redshirt 2020-21 1: Austin Davis, 6-10 5th-Sr. C 2: Jordan Poole, 6-3 Sr. SG 3: Eli Brooks, 6-1 Sr. PG/SG 4: Isaiah Livers, 6-8 Sr. PF 5: David DeJulius, 6-0 Jr. PG 6: Brandon Johns, 6-8 Jr. PF 7: Ignas Brazdeikis, 6-7 Jr. SF 8: Colin Castleton, 6-11 Jr. C 9: Adrien Nunez, 6-5 Jr. SG 10: Jalen Wilson, 6-6 So. SF 11: Cole Bajema, 6-7 So. SG 12: Zeb Jackson, 6-3 Fr. PG/SG 13: Open Michigan is now one over the al- lotted 13 scholarships for the 2019-20 season and must trim the roster by one to comply with the NCAA man- date. While there are often transfers, the most obvious move is Matthews to the NBA Draft. He flirted seriously with joining the professional ranks this year, and some close to it say he had a foot out the door before deciding to return to Michigan for his redshirt junior year. There's always the possibility of adding another 2019 recruit in the spring depending on what happens to the roster after the season. While the coaches will likely continue to watch the uncommitted prospects in the senior class, it seems improbable they'll add another to the two-man class of Jalen Wilson (6-8, 210, Ri- vals.com's No. 36 senior nationally) of Denton (Texas) Guyer and Cole Bajema (6-7, 175, No. 99) of Lynden (Wash.) Christian. Beilein has told Wilson they want him to fill Matthews' role, but he could play there (small forward) or power forward. As Beilein often says, it's essentially the same position only on the other side of the floor. Bajema can play shooting guard or wing, but he might also be a can- didate to play power forward if he adds a significant amount of weight. Jackson is still two years from see- ing the floor at Michigan, and he's slated to play either the point or shooting guard (and was recruited as a point guard first). He brings great length to the floor and a quality feel and pace for the game, Rivals.com analyst Corey Evans said. "He's more of a scorer, but should have no issues rounding out his skill set in becoming a playmaker first," Evans said. "Emerging this summer on the travel circuit, offers were not difficult to come by for the junior." Jackson finished his spring and summer AAU season with C2K (Quincy Simpson, father of Michigan junior Zavier Simpson, is the coach) on the Under Armour circuit with averages of 13.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Next up for Beilein and Co. — finding a center to go with the three future Wolverines. They've started down south in College Park, Ga., where Woodward Academy's Walker Kessler 7-0, 220, Rivals.com's No. 10 junior nationally, has made a name for himself. Georgia might have family ties working in its favor with the five- star — his dad and uncle both played there — but U-M is right there after an incredible visit. Kessler was in for Michigan foot- ball's weekend with Penn State Nov. 3, and he was blown away. He picked up the third 2020 offer, the first having gone to Jackson and the second to four-star Butler (Pa.) Area Senior guard Ethan Morton (6-5, 180, No. 56).   BASKETBALL RECRUITING John Beilein Extends Two More 2020 Offers Walker Kessler — a 7-0, 220-pound big man from Woodward Academy in College Park, Ga., and Rivals.com's No. 10 junior nationally — visited U-M over the Penn State football game weekend. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM

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