Michigan Basketball: Wolverines next steps after losing 5-star F Isaiah Todd
2020 five-star recruit Isaiah Todd has decided to forego his Michigan Basketball and college career and turn pro.
It has not been the greatest 36-hour period for Michigan basketball and coach Juwan Howard. Howard, who has done a masterful job on the recruiting trail since taking over the program, missed out on Josh Christopher when the consensus top-11 prospect chose to play at Arizona State on Monday night. The Wolverines were thought to be the frontrunners for Christopher’s services before his decision.
To pile on to Howard’s disappointment of not securing a commitment from Christopher, five-star commit Isaiah Todd decided to turn pro, on April 14, rather than heading Ann Arbor. Todd was Howard’s first five-star recruit as well as the highest-rated player to choose the Wolverines, according to 247sports, since at least the early 2000s when they started tracking recruits. Todd expects to sign with an agent.
“This was a tough decision for him, but he just feels like this is what’s best for him and his development,” Marlene Venable, Todd’s mother, told Sports Illustrated. “We love Michigan and Juwan (Howard), but, at the end of the day, he has to make the best decision for him.”
It is unknown whether Todd plans on playing in the G-League or go overseas.
The 6-foot-9 power forward was coming off a strong season at Word of God Christian Academy (Raleigh, NC) and was the centerpiece of the Wolverines’ recruiting class, which was once ranked fourth in the country but has fallen to 12th following Todd’s decision. He is ranked 13th in the country by ESPN and 247Sports Composite while Rivals along with 247Sports had him at 14th. Four-star point guard Zeb Jackson, four-star center Hunter Dickinson, four-star forward Terrence Williams, and grad transfer Mike Smith along with walk-on Jace Howard make up the Wolverines current class.
With Todd reneging on his commitment and guard David DeJulius as well as power forward Colin Castleton having decided to transfer, U-M has two scholarships remaining — however, Howard could grab one of the scholarships rather than walk on. That number could increase to three if Isaiah Livers remains in the NBA Draft, although that is not expected at this point.
A quick look at Michigan’s roster
Point guard: Mike Smith, Eli Brooks, Zeb Jackson
Shooting guard: Franz Wagner, Adrien Nunez, Cole Bajema
Small forward: Isaiah Livers, Jace Howard,
Power forward: Brandon Johns, Terrence Williams
Center: Austin Davis, Hunter Dickinson
Walk-ons who likely will see sparse minutes throughout the season: CJ Baird, Jaron Faulds, Luke Wilson, Rico Ozuna-Harrison
So, what’s next? A lot will depend on Livers’ decision, but the Wolverines definitely could use some help in the backcourt. I do like the Smith and Brooks combination at point guard, and Wagner, who overcame a slow start as a result of some strong play in Big Ten contests, is more than capable of manning the two. However, depth is an issue — and ever more so if Livers’ departs — as that would mean Wagner would move to the 3 therefore, Brooks would have to slide over to the 2. While that is not a problem, Nunez, Bajema, and Jackson are unproven, so it is unknown how they would handle extended minutes.
The Wolverines could go the grad transfer route with George Mason’s Justin Kier, Louisville’s Darius Perry, South Carolina’s Jair Bolden, Minnesota’s Payton Willis, Hawaii’s Drew Briggs, Georgia Southern’s Quan Jackson, Ryan Betley, Jonah Antonio being among the possible options. Meanwhile,
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Virginia Tech’s Landers Nolley Jr., Ohio’s DJ Carton, Oklahoma’s Jamal Bienemy, Western Michigan’s Michael Flowers, Air Force’s AJ Walker, Charleston’s Dontrell Shuler, and Sacred Heart’s Cameron Parker are among players that could be of interest if transfers are given a one-time transfer waiver.