By Jeff Borzello

Michigan couldn’t get a top-five prospect, right?

That was the popular line of thought for many throughout Mitch McGary’s recruitment. The last five-star recruit the Wolverines received a commitment from was Daniel Horton back in 2002, and John Beilein has never been known to pick up top-50 guys on a consistent basis.

With Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, Florida and others in the mix, the Gary, Indiana native still always kept Michigan at or near the top of his list. On Thursday, McGary made it official – he’s going to be a Wolverine.

This is a monster commitment for Beilein and Michigan. He’s the No. 2-ranked prospect in the country, shooting up the charts with a dominant spring and summer for the SYF Players. Beilein runs an offense that allows for the big man to play multiple positions and do different things on the court, which is perfect for McGary.

McGary will fit in with Michigan and could take them to the next level in the Big Ten. He’s a high-energy big man whose attitude and personality are infectious to his teammates. He can score around the basket and also knock down face-up jumpers out to the arc. McGary runs the floor very well, and his shot-blocking ability and athleticism have improved greatly. Moreover, he is strong and makes an impact on the glass.

There are only two seniors on the Wolverines’ roster right now, Stu Douglass and Zack Novak. Tim Hardaway Jr. is poised to become a star on the perimeter, while Jordan Morgan is developing into a consistent option down low. With freshman Trey Burke set to be the point guard and Beilein’s usual assortment of shooters, Michigan is a Sweet 16 threat this season. With McGary and two other top-100 recruits – Glenn Robinson and Nik Stauskas – coming into the fold next year, do the Wolverines have Final Four potential?

That’s how big this commitment is for Michigan; it immediately makes them a major factor in 2012-13, and also potentially opens the door for more high-level recruits to make their way to Ann Arbor.

There’s no longer questioning whether Michigan can get a top-five recruit. The Wolverines just did.

Photo: Indy Star

By Jeff Borzello

It seemed like Mitch McGary was set to make his commitment last month – likely to Michigan – but he canceled his announcement and went back through the recruiting process.

Apparently he’s ready to announce once again.

“I’m planning to make my commitment next week sometime,” McGary wrote in his blog for ESPNHS.

The final three for him are Florida, Duke and Michigan. Maryland and North Carolina seem to be out of the picture.

“I love Maryland, but I just don’t think that it’s the best fit for me,” McGary said of the Terrapins.

As for North Carolina, he doesn’t think they have a scholarship available for him, and he hasn’t talked to the Tar Heels lately.

McGary is CBSSports.com’s No. 2-ranked player in the class of 2012. The 6-foot-10 power forward from Brewster Academy (N.H.) catapulted up the rankings with a dominant spring and summer performance.

He’s a player who everyone wants as a teammate, due to his infectious energy and nonstop motor. He can impact a game in a variety of ways, from scoring around the rim with either hand or knocking down face-up jumpers from the perimeter. The lefty is effective in transition and very active defensively.

As for his decision, it should be an interesting week for McGary. As Jeff Goodman wrote in September, McGary’s parents favor Duke, while his AAU coach with the SYF Players, Wayne Brumm, would prefer Michigan. Florida is still very much in the mix, though.

Photo: Nation of Blue

By Jeff Borzello

Mitch McGary has kept his recruitment very close to the vest since skyrocketing up the 2012 rankings in the spring.

On Tuesday, though, he showed his cards for the first time, trimming his list to six schools: Duke, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan and North Carolina.

“I’ve got strong feelings about these six schools,” McGary told Dave Telep of ESPN.com.

McGary, a 6-foot-10 Indiana native who plays at Brewster Academy (N.H.), came into the summer ranked as the No. 5 player in the class of 2012 by CBSSports.com. After an impressive month on the circuit, though, he could move even higher.

More than his performance on the court, McGary is a player who everyone wants as a teammate. He never runs out of energy and is constantly boosting up his teammates from the sidelines. In terms of his game, McGary has a nonstop motor and can make an impact in a variety of ways. The lefty power forward can score around the rim with both hands, knocks down face-up jumpers from the perimeter and is effective in transition. Defensively, he blocks shots and rebounds. 

By Jeff Borzello

The magic of the July live period is the prospects one finds when watching someone else.

The Florida Rams Black team is home to top-20 point guard Kasey Hill, as well as stock-risers Landry Nnoko and Dillon Graham. In Orlando, though, the player who stood out to some onlookers was Chris Davenport.

A junior from Montverde Academy (Fla.), Davenport is a 6-foot-7 combo forward who is explosive off the floor and has a wide-ranging skill set. He can make plays in a variety of ways. While best-suited for the wing, Davenport is not afraid to mix it up in the paint and can play the power forward spot in a smaller lineup.

“I want to show coaches my talent and make players around me better,” he said. “I’ve played good so far. I’m rebounding the ball, playing in transition.”

It turns out colleges have already been turned onto Davenport.

He holds offers from Florida State, Clemson and South Florida, with interest coming from Georgia Tech, Penn State and UCF.

“I’m keeping it open, I like them all so far,” Davenport said.

He’s still at least a year from making a decision, but Davenport is looking to be successful at the next level – both on and off the court.

“Great education,” he said. “And a program with a good coaching staff that is dedicated to winning.”

Sanjay Lumpkin stays within himself

With the bright lights of Las Vegas and the staring eyes of big-time coaches following a prospect’s every move, many players start to do too much.

Sanjay Lumpkin went the opposite route: he tried to ignore the coaches in the bleachers.

“I want to play as if no coaches are watching, not let it affect me,” Lumpkin said. “It’s not about individually showing off. Coaches didn’t come to see you do that.”

Lumpkin, a 6-foot-6 guard from Benilde-Saint Margaret (Minn.), is a difficult match-up due to his size and ball-handling ability. He is long and can finish around the rim, while also able to initiate offense for teammates.

He holds offers from Northwestern and Richmond, with interest from Stanford, Colorado and Washington State.

Lumpkin is looking to make a decision in the near future.

“I’m looking for a place to play my game, a place where I fit well in the system,” he said.

Lights-out gunner pops for George Mason

Team Takeover (D.C.) guard Patrick Holloway committed to George Mason, choosing the Patriots over Saint Joseph’s, Kent State, George Washington and Delaware.

Holloway, a 6-foot-1 shooter from Paul VI (Va.), is lights-out from behind the arc.

“My family and I really liked the coaching staff and the experience they have,” he said. “It was a good distance from home and my family can be a part of this experience. Also, they are looked at to be a top team.”

News and Notes: Louis Dabney, a 6-foot-3 guard from Riverside Academy (La.), popped for Tulane on Tuesday . . . UC-Riverside picked up a commitment from Dayton Boddie, a 6-foot-3 guard from El Camino High School (Calif.) . . . Western Carolina picked up two commitments this week: Rhett Harrelson and Justin Browning, both from Alabama . . . Tuesday afternoon, Hofstra hosted 2012 prospects Jimmy Hall and Maurice Watson . . . Top-25 2013 wing Brannen Greene visited Louisville on Wednesday . . . Four-star senior Jerami Grant, from DeMatha (Md.), took a trip to Syracuse. Word on the street is the Orange could be the leader for Grant . . . C.J. Jones, from Meanstreets (Ill.), committed to Manhattan Monday night . . . Indianapolis guard Mike Ramey committed to Ball State . . . After nabbing Zac Irvin on Sunday, Michigan got another 2013 commitment, as top-75 guard Derrick Walton pledged to the Wolverines.

By Jeff Borzello

One of the last players in the pre-July CBSSports.com Top 100 rankings was Javonte Hawkins, a 6-foot-5 wing from Powers Catholic (Mich.).

After his performance with the Michigan Mustangs on the AAU circuit, though, it’s clear Hawkins isn’t content with his standing.

“I want to show that I’m a player,” he said. “I wanted to come out and play defense. I can shoot, I can get to the hole.”

Hawkins is a big-time athlete who uses his length and leaping ability to make plays off the bounce and in transition. He can knock down 3-pointers with consistency, and is not afraid to elevate in traffic around the goal. Defensively, he is aggressive and looks to force turnovers.

Michigan, Cincinnati, USC, Miami (Fl.), South Florida, Iowa, Iowa State, West Virginia, Marquette, Colorado and Providence are all showing interest in the Flint, Mich. product.

Hawkins said Iowa, Iowa State, West Virginia, Colorado and Marquette are showing the most interest at this point.

“A place that likes to run,” he said when asked what he is looking for in a school. “A team that plays hard, plays defense and runs the floor.”

His mindset is certainly that of a top-100 player; after July, he has the game to back it up. 

By Jeff Borzello

The last day of the July recruiting period is always exciting for coaches – they get to return home and see their families.

For the Michigan staff, the final day this year was special in another way, as 2013 guard Zak Irvin popped for the Wolverines.

“I felt like it was a great school academically and I really had a good relationship with all of the coaches there,” Irvin told Scout.com, which broke the story. “I felt like it fit my style of play.”

Once Irvin trimmed his list to Butler and Michigan, word began to spread around the recruiting world that the Wolverines were the leaders for him.

Irvin is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Hamilton Southeastern (Ind.), the same high school as top-25 2012 prospect Gary Harris. He is a big-time scorer who can knock down shots both inside and outside the arc. Irvin is long and skilled, and is only getting better. He should contribute immediately in Ann Arbor in two years.

By Jeff Borzello

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – Houston Hoops swingman Justin Jackson doesn’t get much burn sitting behind Duke commit Rasheed Sulaimon and four-star guards J-Mychal Reese and L.J. Rose.

That hasn’t mattered so far, though, as the 6-foot-6 sophomore is ranked among the top 2014 prospects in the country.

“I want to prove I can hang with the older guys,” Jackson said.

Jackson has the potential to be a match-up nightmare down the road, given his outstanding length and accurate shooting ability from behind the arc. He'll need to add weight, but his range and form are among the best in the country. Jackson can go off the dribble, using his height and reach to make plays in the mid-range and with floaters.

He isn’t trying to show off in front of all the college coaches, though.

“I’m just playing my game, not doing too much,” Jackson said. “Just playing my game.”

The homeschooled Houston product is honest about what he needs to work on.

“I’m trying to get better at everything,” Jackson said. “Get strong, play better through contact.”

Despite not getting as much playing time as some other players, he already has plenty of suitors for his future destination.

Jackson said he has offers from Ohio State, Texas, Baylor, Texas A&M and Oklahoma, with interest coming from North Carolina, Kansas, Washington, Georgetown, Marquette and Michigan.

Just imagine what will happen when he’s the star of the team.

Photo: USA Basketball

INTERESTED TEAMS:



By Jeff Borzello

BRONX, N.Y. – Playing alongside DaJuan Coleman on both the high school and AAU scenes has given Tyler Cavanaugh plenty of extra attention.

Without Coleman at the Rumble in the Bronx, though, Cavanaugh showed he could handle being in the limelight as well. He demonstrated his complete offensive game, posting up smaller defenders and taking bigger opponents out to the arc and knocking down jumpers. He is tough around the rim and is a matchup problem for most teams.

“It’s definitely a plus playing with [Coleman], he gets a lot of attention,” Cavanaugh said. “I have to take on a bigger role [without him].”

The 6-foot-6 inside-outside forward from Jamesville-Dewitt (N.Y.) has been building up his stock in the past few months.

Primarily a mid-major prospect back in January, Cavanaugh is now hearing from Syracuse, Boston College, Michigan, Cincinnati and Wake Forest. He does hold offers from Siena, Fairfield, Vermont, George Washington and Davidson.

Cavanugh is aiming high.

“I think I can play at a high-major school,” he said.