The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MAY 2018 THE WOLVERINE 65 BASKETBALL RECRUITING pressed with about the university and things going on up there. "We've always known what a good school it was. He talked about how it is strong academically, talked about the growth, the backing of the school. 'Go Blue' Nation is so far spread. You can find yourself anywhere and see a Mich- igan fan. They have a great fan base." Brooks Sr. insisted his son's recruit- ment is "wide open," and U-M now seems to be right in the mix. "Keion is also looking for a coach- ing staff that can help him be the best version of himself," Brooks Sr. said. "As parents, it would make us feel comfortable that he will go to a pro- gram where he is in good hands." JUNIOR SHOOTER JOE GIRARD III RECEIVES A VISIT Beilein also made a trip to see Joe Girard III, a Rivals.com three-star pros- pect and the No. 125 junior nationally who averaged 50 points per game for Glens Falls (N.Y.) High. He shoots the ball incredibly well with outstanding range and has ice in his veins. It doesn't hurt, either, that Beilein and his father are friends, the Michi- gan headman having coached Joe Gi- rard Jr. at LeMoyne many years ago. Digging deeper, it's clear Gi- rard III's has all the intangibles that would make him an excellent fit at U-M. He comes from a great family, is an outstanding student, has high basketball IQ and never stops work- ing to improve. Girard watched the Wolverines' NCAA Tournament run closely, and he was thrilled when Beilein trav- elled to see him in Glens Falls in early April. "I really enjoyed Coach B. coming in and telling me how I fit in and how much he wants me," Girard III said. "It was really good for my family to hear, as well, so they understand the way Michigan basketball works. "Michigan's tournament run was amazing. They did a really good job of winning when sometimes their best players weren't at their best. They found ways to win, and that's what you have to do in March." Duke, Syracuse, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Rutgers and others have of- fered, and Girard is starting to think about a commitment. "I am getting closer to a decision," Girard said. "My dad and I talk about that and what I need to do in order to play at the next place I will be attending." ❏ On The Web For regular reports on Michigan basketball recruiting plus videos of U-M commitments and targets visit TheWolverine.com. Keion Brooks Jr., Rivals.com's No. 36 junior nationally, averaged 20 points and seven rebounds per game while leading Fort Wayne (Ind.) North Side to a 27-3 overall record and a runner-up finish in the Class AAAA state tournament. He was offered by Michigan in early April. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM RECRUITING NOTEBOOK • Signee Brandon Johns' high school career came to an end in the quarterfinals of the Class A state tournament. The 6-8 four-star, Rivals.com's No. 64 senior nationally, had a solid game — 19 points, five rebounds and three assists — but it wasn't enough for his East Lansing (Mich.) High crew to advance to the state semifinals. They lost 58-55 to Holland (Mich.) West Ottawa. Johns finished second to Clarkston (Mich.) High and MSU-bound point guard Foster Loyer in Mr. Basketball voting in the state of Michigan. U-M point guard signee David DeJulius (6-1, No. 118) out of Detroit East English Village was third. • With sophomore guard Ibi Waton's transfer and junior forward Moritz Wag- ner's declaration for the NBA, U-M has room for one more scholarship player in 2018, and Beilein is looking at South Dakota graduate transfer shooting guard Matt Mooney, who averaged 18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game last season. Oregon has offered, while Creighton, Indiana, Northwestern, TCU, Texas Tech and others are also chasing him. Mooney shot 44.5 percent from the floor and 34.2 percent from long range last year. • Five-star junior guard Tyrese Maxey out of Garland (Texas) High reportedly hosted Beilein, Kentucky's John Calipari, Texas' Shaka Smart and Michigan State's Tom Izzo in early April. He's Rivals.com's No. 12 junior overall. Many analysts believe he could reclassify to 2018 and commit to Kentucky. "It's exciting for a legendary coach like Coach Cal [John Calipari] to want me to come play for his school and show what I can do and help lead a team to a national championship," Maxey told SECCountry.com. SMU hired Maxey's father, Tyrone, as director of recruiting last August, and some believe he could end up at the school. "That's my dad's job and that's for him," he said. "I'm just looking at the team that will give me the best opportunity to extend my career in the league — go to the NBA, get to the next level, and help me progress." • Robert Morris guard Dachon Burke is a transfer Michigan is looking at, and vice- versa. He'd have to sit a year and would have two years of eligibility remaining. The 6-4 Burke, a New Jersey native, had a breakout season for the Colonials last season, averaging 17.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He shot 45.9 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from three-point range. St. John's reportedly visited him April 15, while Nebraska was slated to see him April 17 and Marquette April 18. Pitt, though, could be the team to beat. • Beilein dropped in on Richardson (Texas) Pearce High's Drew Timme in mid- April, catching a practice. The 6-10, 215-pound standout, Rivals.com's No. 54 junior nationally, led his team to the third round of the state tournament and averaged 28 points and 18 rebounds along the way. Baylor, Purdue, Oklahoma and others have had in-home visits. "I get a lot of comparisons to Moe Wagner. They have a great program," Timme said of Michigan. Rivals reported that Timme was adamant that he's wide open heading into the spring AAU season.