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Pierre Brooks has been on Michigan’s radar since he was a 14-year-old in the eighth grade.
Assistant coach Saddi Washington first made contact in 2017 during his introductory season working under former coach John Beilein. He kept on Brooks and bridged the recruiting gap from Beilein’s departure to the NBA to first-year coach Juwan Howard.
Three years after Brooks first heard from the Wolverines, the Detroit (Mich.) Douglass Academy 2021 four-star shooting guard picked up the highly coveted offer Jan. 6 after Howard watched him practice.
“I think me and coach Howard have a connection, talking more and stuff like that,” Brooks said. “At first, it was a little confusing in my head, but I now see where they’re going with it.
“I just didn’t know if they were still interested.”
Michigan is most definitely interested, and Howard solidified himself in a race against Michigan State – led by coach Tom Izzo – for one of the top-ranked recruits in the state.
“Michigan has been recruiting me hard, but Michigan State has a different level of recruiting,” Brooks said. “Michigan and Michigan State are both recruiting me hard.”
Brooks is rated No. 119 in his class, No. 25 at his position and No. 3 in Michigan, according to the 247Sports composite.
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound guard has trimmed his top list to Michigan, Michigan State, Xavier, Missouri, Northwestern, Alabama and Arizona State.
Those are the programs Brooks will decide between when it comes time to take his five official visits. The junior said he will commit before his 2020-21 senior season.
“The schools I’m considering the most is where I’ll take official visits my senior year,” he said.
The Spartans seem to be the frontrunner for Brooks, as they’ve impressed him with on-court intensity from an offensive and defensive standpoint along with maintaining a relationship off the court.
“I feel like they’ve been doing a great job of keeping in contact with me and making sure they keep me like family in their program,” Brooks said. “Every time I’m up there, they treat me like family.”
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Brooks compares himself as a combination between former Michigan guard Jordan Poole and forward Charles Matthews. The self-proclaimed all-around athlete prides himself on his abilities to post-up smaller guards and make jump shots, something that was once considered a negative aspect of his game.
In the offseason, after averaging 23.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game as a sophomore, Brooks focused on his effectiveness on the perimeter.
And he’s become a better shooter because of it.
“My pros are getting to the basket, facilitating and finding open teammates, finishing through contact and posting up smaller guards,” Brooks said. “My cons are pick-and-roll defense and slowing the pace down to control the tempo in a game.”
More than anything, Brooks enjoys being able to play without limitations.
The NBA-style Howard has brought to Michigan features a fast-paced offense that breaks down defenses by hustling in transition. While there are still reads and certain sets, Howard allows his players to use their natural abilities.
“I really like the playstyle, and the coaching staff has stayed in contact with me,” Brooks said. “But I like Michigan’s style, the way they let you play a little bit and go if you can really play.”
The Wolverines operate with a specific pace under the 10-year NBA veteran, member of the Fab Five from 1991-94 and new head coach.
And Brooks loves everything about Howard – even extending beyond the hardwood.
“Coach is a legend, and he’s a great guy,” Brooks said. “What he’s doing with the guys now is incredible. Nobody expected him to come in and do what he’s doing now with the program. From what I’ve seen, he’s a great guy, and I really respect him a lot.”
Brooks has been to Michigan six times, most recently for the football game Sept. 15 against SMU. He plans to make a return to watch a basketball game at Crisler Center when his schedule permits.
“I’m going to talk to the coaching staff about it, but I’d definitely like to go,” he said. “It’s a priority of mine.”
The Detroit native hopes to improve his relationship with Michigan’s coaching staff and figure out where he’d fit within the system.
Brooks is already close with Washington, as they’ve known each other for three years, but he wants to grow toward Howard and assistant coaches Phil Martelli and Howard Eisley.
“Coach Saddi, since the eighth grade, has always been recruiting me hard,” Brooks said. “He’s stayed in contact with me, asked family questions and is a relationship guy. He’s always been there.”
The parallel between Brooks and the entire coaching staff as well as giving the young prospect a future role are points of emphasis Howard needs to accomplish if he has plans of landing Brooks over Izzo at Michigan State.
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