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Juwan Howard has done it again.
Heading into his second year as the head coach in Ann Arbor, Howard made a big splash, though the critical acclaim was quite local in its dissemination.
Last year, former Columbia point guard Mike Smith and Wake Forest super-scorer Chaundee Brown Jr. opted to join Michigan basketball as graduate transfers, taking roles that were substantially different than what they had been accustomed to. With both moving on, could Howard nab yet another big-time scorer to help provide leadership and playing acumen while his younger recruiting classes grow up?
The answer is yes.
Michigan basketball had been targeting Coastal Carolina point guard DeVante’ Jones, the Sun Belt player of the year. Having appeared in 81 games with 77 starts, Jones averages 17 points per game, 5.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists, making 48.1% of his shot attempts. On Saturday, Jones committed to Howard and the Wolverines.
BREAKING: DeVante' Jones (@3DevanteJ) commits to Michigan LIVE on @TheFieldOf68 with @GoodmanHoops pic.twitter.com/uTQ8oU52Gh
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) May 1, 2021
With Franz Wagner not having declared for the NBA draft yet, Michigan basketball’s expected starting five remains in flux. But Isaiah Livers, the aforementioned Smith and Brown, and Austin Davis are moving on. Fifth-year guard Eli Brooks is returning.
Should Wagner return, the starting lineup next season would likely look like this:
PG: DeVante’ Jones
SG: Eli Brooks
SF: Franz Wagner
PF: Brandon Johns Jr.
C: Hunter Dickinson
Regardless, Michigan basketball got a great one in Jones who figures to plug in right away as a starter and be a big impact player.
Jones chose the Wolverines over Memphis, Texas and Texas Tech.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MGIUH1C8gg
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