Wednesday, May 30th, was set up to be a massively important day in Michigan basketball's future. With Charles Matthews still declared for the NBA Draft and the deadline that evening at 11:59, the return of the man who inevitably would be Michigan's go-to player hung in the balance. That same day would also be the date of 2019 recruit Jalen Wilson's college selection. The nation's 34th best player in the class of 2019 (according to 247Sports) had trimmed his list down to six, it was time for him to choose his path. Just like Charles.
The First Decision:
At two minutes to 4 PM, the announcement was made by Michigan basketball's Twitter account, Charles Matthews was staying. The baited breath Michigan fans waited with was rewarded. As time went on, more worry began to seep in. Matthews had spoken before how the goal was to get to the NBA as soon as possible. After all, he chose Kentucky, didn't he? John Calipari's specialty is the 'one-and-done' recruit. But Charles had a longer journey full of circumnavigation. He ended up with John Beilein in Ann Arbor and spent a year getting adjusted to Michigan on the scout team. He shone in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, often willing his team onward when they needed that offensive boost. He'll be the likely number one offensive option now on a team looking to get right back to where they were at the end of last season.
This is obviously great news for the team next season, but how will he fit? Or rather, how will the rest of the team fit around him? Matthews will slide right back into his starting spot as small forward with Ignas Brazdeikis likely being the main back-up. Michigan has serious depth with big wings, however, and I find it hard to believe that Iggy will exclusively play back-up to a guy who averaged 30 minutes a game last season and seems highly likely to see those numbers increase as well. In that case, I expect he and Brandon Johns to battle for minutes at the four with Isaiah Livers as the incumbent starter. The nice thing about having Johns and Livers as well is that both are capable of sliding over to center and playing as a small-ball five when necessary. The possibilities for Michigan at these positions seems to have very few limits.
The Second Decision:
Jalen Wilson was set to announce at 6 PM EST with a video. Well, it came a little late. Late enough to prompt his good friend and number four 2020 recruit in the nation RJ Hampton to Tweet, "He’s late to my house all the time, so of course the video was going to be late." It was worth the delay for Michigan fans. Wilson's video was 'Uncle Drew'-esque, Jalen was 'Uncle Lue' and dressed as an elderly man. Spectators speculated where he played as they ran through the colleges he was consider, he played at Marquette one said. One SWORE he went to Kansas. Another thought Baylor. The punchline was his teammate finally asking where he played. That was the reveal. Wilson unveiled a Michigan t-shirt. He was committed to play under John Beilein in Ann Arbor.
Wilson comes in at 6'7" and 185 pounds. He will almost assuredly be the next man up if we assume that Charles Matthews will declare and stay in the 2019 NBA Draft. In an interview with Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider, Wilson's AAU coach, Vonzell Thomas, noted this comparison stating that the staff saw him as capable of playing the "wolf" position that Matthews currently occupies. As for strengths, Wilson's highlights from the most recent high school season and summer ball really highlight his strong takes to the basket. Plenty of times you can see Wilson finishing with and through plenty of contact. He runs the floor well and shows ability to distribute. Additionally, he already possesses a sweet stroke from behind the arc that I believe has the potential to be deadly with additional development. This is a great get for Michigan because his addition means they'll have that wing that can handle the ball and take it to the hoop at will, even without Charles Matthews.
The Outlook:
These two men have a very strong likelihood of never sharing the floor together as Michigan teammates. But both contribute very similar things to Michigan. Matthews provides Michigan with the wing scoring they will need next season and the floor leader of a team simultaneously young and experienced. Wilson, in 2019, will provide Michigan with a playmaker who already looks to have elements of his game that show just how capable he will be on the floor in John Beilein's offense. All-in-all, Michigan will be thoroughly celebrating Wednesday's developments. They get a returning star for the immediate future, and a potential star for the not so distant.
Follow me on Twitter @RMABTweets for more Michigan basketball coverage, along with AFC Ann Arbor and Liverpool FC, or shoot me an e-mail at redsmaizeandblue@gmail.com.
The First Decision:
At two minutes to 4 PM, the announcement was made by Michigan basketball's Twitter account, Charles Matthews was staying. The baited breath Michigan fans waited with was rewarded. As time went on, more worry began to seep in. Matthews had spoken before how the goal was to get to the NBA as soon as possible. After all, he chose Kentucky, didn't he? John Calipari's specialty is the 'one-and-done' recruit. But Charles had a longer journey full of circumnavigation. He ended up with John Beilein in Ann Arbor and spent a year getting adjusted to Michigan on the scout team. He shone in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, often willing his team onward when they needed that offensive boost. He'll be the likely number one offensive option now on a team looking to get right back to where they were at the end of last season.
This is obviously great news for the team next season, but how will he fit? Or rather, how will the rest of the team fit around him? Matthews will slide right back into his starting spot as small forward with Ignas Brazdeikis likely being the main back-up. Michigan has serious depth with big wings, however, and I find it hard to believe that Iggy will exclusively play back-up to a guy who averaged 30 minutes a game last season and seems highly likely to see those numbers increase as well. In that case, I expect he and Brandon Johns to battle for minutes at the four with Isaiah Livers as the incumbent starter. The nice thing about having Johns and Livers as well is that both are capable of sliding over to center and playing as a small-ball five when necessary. The possibilities for Michigan at these positions seems to have very few limits.
The Second Decision:
Jalen Wilson was set to announce at 6 PM EST with a video. Well, it came a little late. Late enough to prompt his good friend and number four 2020 recruit in the nation RJ Hampton to Tweet, "He’s late to my house all the time, so of course the video was going to be late." It was worth the delay for Michigan fans. Wilson's video was 'Uncle Drew'-esque, Jalen was 'Uncle Lue' and dressed as an elderly man. Spectators speculated where he played as they ran through the colleges he was consider, he played at Marquette one said. One SWORE he went to Kansas. Another thought Baylor. The punchline was his teammate finally asking where he played. That was the reveal. Wilson unveiled a Michigan t-shirt. He was committed to play under John Beilein in Ann Arbor.
Wilson comes in at 6'7" and 185 pounds. He will almost assuredly be the next man up if we assume that Charles Matthews will declare and stay in the 2019 NBA Draft. In an interview with Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider, Wilson's AAU coach, Vonzell Thomas, noted this comparison stating that the staff saw him as capable of playing the "wolf" position that Matthews currently occupies. As for strengths, Wilson's highlights from the most recent high school season and summer ball really highlight his strong takes to the basket. Plenty of times you can see Wilson finishing with and through plenty of contact. He runs the floor well and shows ability to distribute. Additionally, he already possesses a sweet stroke from behind the arc that I believe has the potential to be deadly with additional development. This is a great get for Michigan because his addition means they'll have that wing that can handle the ball and take it to the hoop at will, even without Charles Matthews.
The Outlook:
These two men have a very strong likelihood of never sharing the floor together as Michigan teammates. But both contribute very similar things to Michigan. Matthews provides Michigan with the wing scoring they will need next season and the floor leader of a team simultaneously young and experienced. Wilson, in 2019, will provide Michigan with a playmaker who already looks to have elements of his game that show just how capable he will be on the floor in John Beilein's offense. All-in-all, Michigan will be thoroughly celebrating Wednesday's developments. They get a returning star for the immediate future, and a potential star for the not so distant.
Follow me on Twitter @RMABTweets for more Michigan basketball coverage, along with AFC Ann Arbor and Liverpool FC, or shoot me an e-mail at redsmaizeandblue@gmail.com.
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