LOOK: Michigan five-star commit Isaiah Todd releases mixtape

The five-star Wolverines commit dropped a must-see new mixtape early on Wednesday morning.

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There’s been a lot of attention on whether or not Michigan will secure the commitment of five-star shooting guard Josh Christopher, but fans shouldn’t forget the five-star already in the fold.

2020 Raleigh (NC) Word of God power forward Isaiah Todd hasn’t signed with the Wolverines just yet, and though there was incessant speculation that he would end up playing ball overseas instead of in Ann Arbor, the odds are looking more likely these days that he does end up wearing maize and blue, even if it’s for just one year.

While the 2019-20 regular season has just ended, and tournament season is about to begin, there’s no reason to not think a little about the future. And watching the new mixtape Todd released on Twitter will get you hyped up for the possibilities next year at Crisler.

Check it out below:

2021 NBA Mock Draft: Introducing high school, international prospects

With the NBA trade deadline approaching, there may be some swaps of picks in the 2021 NBA Draft, which is considered to be a strong class.

With the NBA trade deadline approaching, there may be some swaps of picks in the 2021 NBA Draft, which is considered to be a strong class.

Now that the rosters for the McDonald’s All-American Game have been announced and the Hoophall Classic is complete, top prospects are emerging as future stars in the league.

This list does not include any of the top international prospects who will likely be selected in 2020 like Killian Hayes and Theo Maledon. It also does not mention any of the top returning players in the nation as it will be unclear who will opt to play in the NBA and it is still tough to predict at this point.

Instead, it offers an introduction to the current high school seniors and the international

Picks: 1 – 5 | Picks: 6 – 10 | Picks: 11 – 15 | Picks: 16 – 20 | Picks: 21 – 30 | Picks: 31 – 50 |

All statistics are updated through February 3, 2020 and are pulled from D1Circuit.com, MaxPreps and RealGM unless stated otherwise.

1. Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State (Committed) 

Catalina Fragoso-USA TODAY Sports

Guard, 6-foot-7, 18 years old, Montverde Academy (Florida)

Cade Cunningham is currently the anchor for Montverde Academy, which is being called the best high school team of all-time. They are currently ranked as the top school in the nation. The point forward is so good that an NBA scout recently told Yahoo’s Krysten Peek he would likely be the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft if he were eligible. That indicates he might already be the best player who is not currently in the league. For proof: Cunningham averaged 18.0 points and 8.5 assists per 36 minutes at the U19 World Cup, trailing just one player for total assists (40) during the tournament. With his size and his playmaking ability, he is already showing flashes of becoming a future franchise cornerstone.

2. Jalen Green, Uncommitted 

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Guard, 6-foot-5, 17 years old, Prolific Prep (California)

Jalen Green is an incredibly explosive athlete who has improved as a shooter over the past few years as well. The scorer has become a more consistent and reliable option on the floor, offering an attacking mentality that will continue to develop as his competition continues. One of his crowning achievements thus far: He took home tournament MVP during the U17 World Cup in 2018, leading the United States to the gold medal behind 15.7 points per game. He averaged 7.7 three-pointers per 40 minutes during this competition, showing he is a fearless shooter. His natural stroke from the free-throw line shows that his three-point percentage will likely increase within time, too.

3. Evan Mobley, USC (Committed) 

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Big, 7-foot-0, 18 years old, Rancho Christian (California)

Evan Mobley was 2019’s Gatorade Player of the Year in California and came into the summer as the highest-rated player on RSCI, which compiles all of the rankings on recruiting sites like 247 Sports and Rivals. The versatile big brags a 7-foot-5 wingspan with a 40-inch vertical leap, a rare measurement combination. He has recently been listed as a small forward, however, which Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo says “points to the dissonance” between his current identity and the best eventual fit in the NBA for someone his size. Still, there is arguably more to like about Mobley’s potential than that of 2020 projected lottery big man James Wiseman.

4. Scottie Barnes, Florida State (Committed) 

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Forward, 6-foot-8, 18 years old, Montverde Academy (Florida)

Scottie Barnes currently plays alongside Cunningham at Montverde Academy and has a lot to offer as he continues to develop. He is a stat-sheet stuffer capable of putting up impressive lines for points and rebounds as well as assists. Like Cunningham, he has a point-forward mentality which is elevated by the fact that he is also measured with an incredible 9-foot-1 standing reach. Barnes can be a plug-and-play option for almost any team on both offense and defense in the NCAA and eventually in the NBA. That was an especially attractive trait for him for Team USA in the U19 World Cup, where he was a strong facilitator from the elbow. He assisted on 16.8 percent of scores for his team when he was on the floor despite never acting as his offense’s primary playmaker.

5. Ziaire Williams, Uncommitted

(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Wing, 6-foot-8, 18 years old, Sierra Canyon (California)

Ziaire Williams is currently playing high school basketball at the high-profile Sierra Canyon. While he had to sit out the first few months of his senior year because of transfer rules, he has been a force to be reckoned with already. But that was no surprise for those who have followed the prospect. Williams led his AAU team (which also briefly included the aforementioned 2021 projected lottery pick Jalen Green) in points as well as rebounds and assists per game on the U17 circuit. The prospect has shown he is an above-average finisher near the rim, which will be important as he continues his growth. The Stepien’s Ross Homan also believes Williams can become the best shooter in this class. It will be fascinating to monitor his collegiate decision as he is the highest-rated recruit without an NCAA commitment yet.

Picks: 6 – 10 | Picks: 11 – 15 | Picks: 16 – 20 | Picks: 21 – 30 | Picks: 31 – 50

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Isaiah Todd not signing NLI in early period, still plans to play at Michigan

Looks like Michigan will have to wait a few more months until the prized jewel of the 2020 class makes it official.

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When Michigan got the commitment of five-star Isaiah Todd, fans were through the roof with excitement. As was, of course, new head coach Juwan Howard.

But the security of the five-star signing his letter of intent in the early signing period now looks like it won’t happen.

Despite Detroit Free Press writer Orion Sang posting on Twitter on Monday that the expectation was that Todd would sign once the early signing period opened on Wednesday, it now appears Todd will not be formally committing at this juncture, as we will instead be waiting until spring, according to USA TODAY Sports’ Jason Jordan.

Michigan commit Isaiah Todd to wait until the spring

Todd is the highest ranked (No. 8 in the Chosen 25) committed recruit that does not plan to sign during the Early Period. Todd, a forward at Word of God Christian Academy (Raleigh, North Carolina), said he “can’t wait” to play at Michigan next season, but isn’t ready to sign.

Certainly, that will have the maize and blue faithful on eggshells until that time, with the traditional signing period starting on April 15.

Meanwhile, the other commit of the 2020 class, Ohio’s Zeb Jackson did make his commitment official on Wednesday, as Michigan announced his signing of a national letter of intent.

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Early Signing Period: Recapping Day One

We break down the news and happenings from day one of the Early Signing Period.

Ask any college basketball coach and he’ll tell you that, as excited as they are to get commitments from elite players, they don’t fully breathe a sigh of relief until they’re holding a signed National Letter of Intent.
Wednesday kicked off the NCAA’s Early Signing Period and from USA Today’s Chosen 25 stars still mulling over decisions to super teams being formed we’ve managed to zero-in on the biggest news from around the country from day one.

RELATED: USA Today’s Super 25 Basketball Rankings

Cade Cunningham made it official

After Cunningham committed to Oklahoma State last week, speculation ran rampant that the top player in the Chosen 25 could potentially hold off on signing until the spring, but at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Cunningham, a point guard at Montverde (Florida) Academy, put pen to paper and made it official to the Cowboys. Cunningham is the highest ranked recruit in Oklahoma State’s history and is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Oklahoma State hired Cunningham’s brother, Cannen, to be an assistant on head coach Mike Boynton’s staff in June, which Cunningham said is what ultimately helped the Cowboys win out.

Michigan commit Isaiah Todd to wait until the spring

Todd is the highest ranked (No. 8 in the Chosen 25) committed recruit that does not plan to sign during the Early Period. Todd, a forward at Word of God Christian Academy (Raleigh, North Carolina), said he “can’t wait” to play at Michigan next season, but isn’t ready to sign.

Josh Hall could make the call soon

The Moravian Prep (Hickory, North Carolina) wing is expected to make his decision during the Early Signing Period with a top three of N.C. State, DePaul and Louisville. Hall, a five-star prospect, would be ranked in USA Today Sports’ Chosen 25 if not for his reclassification last season. His come-out party came this summer when he dominated his one and only session on the Nike EYBL with Team CP3 (North Carolina), averaging 30 points a game. Sources indicate that Hall’s commitment could potentially come this weekend.

Best fall signing classes

From Duke’s depth Chosen 25 and four-star talent to Texas Tech’s emergence as a contender we analyze the top five classes for 2020.

1. Duke: When IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) center Mark Williams committed to Duke earlier this month, he posed a question regarding Duke’s 2020 class: “What don’t we have?” The Blue Devils have depth and elite talent with three Chosen 25 players (IMG’s Jalen Johnson, Whitney Young (Chicago) combo guard D.J. Steward, Huntington (West Virginia) Prep wing Jaemyn Brakefield), four-star studs (Williams, Virginia Episcopal (Richmond, Virginia) forward Henry Coleman III) and Paul VI (Fairfax, Virginia) point guard Jeremy Roach, who would be ranked in the Chosen 25 if not for sitting out all last season with a torn ACL. Roach will play this season.

2. North Carolina: The Tar Heels have a talented haul with three Chosen 25 players (Montverde Academy forward Day’Ron Sharpe, Christian Brothers (St. Louis, Missouri) point guard Caleb Love, Woodward Academy (Fairburn, Georgia) center Walker Kessler), and two four-star scoring wings (Hillcrest Prep’s (Phoenix) Puff Johnson, Archbishop Stepinac’s (White Plains, New York) R.J. Davis).

3. Kentucky: The Wildcats boast two of the best perimeter players in the class in Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, California) shooting guard B.J. Boston and Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, New Hampshire) shooting guard Terrence Clarke, both of which are ranked in the Chosen 25. Kentucky also has two four-star forwards (Vashon’s (St. Louis, Missouri) Cam’Ron Fletcher, Camden’s (New Jersey) Lance Ware) in the stable.

4. Tennessee: The Vols landed a big fish last month in IMG Academy combo guard Jaden Springer, a Chosen 25 star. He joins The Webb (Bell Buckle, Tennessee) shooting guard Keon Johnson, a four-star recruit who was just on the cusp of making the Chosen 25, and Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, Virginia) four-star wing Corey Walker.

5. Texas Tech: The Red Raiders landed Chosen 25 star Nimari Burnett, a point guard at Prolific Prep (Napa, California), to go with two four-star wings in Duncanville’s (Texas) Micah Peavy and St. Augustine’s (San Diego) Chibuzo Agbo.

RELATED: Top 100 Composite Basketball Rankings

Most important signings

From historic signings to timely signings here’s a look at the most important names that either came through fax machines on Wednesday or are scheduled to come this week and why.

1. Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State): Cunningham, ranked No. 1 in the Chosen 25, is the highest ranked recruit the Cowboys have ever landed and is the type of player that other elite players want to play with.

2. Nimari Burnett (Texas Tech): Burnett, ranked No. 15 in the Chosen 25, was arguably the best guard on his summer travel team which featured three other Chosen 25 guards. Burnett could be the steal of the class.

3. Sharife Cooper (Auburn): Cooper, ranked No. 2 overall in the Chosen 25, is known amongst his peers as the point guard that makes everyone better. That could mean more elite commitments for the Tigers. Cooper will sign during the Early Period.

4. Scottie Barnes (Florida State): Barnes, ranked No. 10 in the Chosen 25, has earned the reputation as the most competitive player in the country, and as a playmaker he’s respected amongst his peers.

5. Caleb Love (North Carolina): The Tar Heels will lose Cole Anthony to the NBA Draft this spring and having Love as the next man up eases everyone’s tensions about the transition next season.

RELATED: Where do the Chosen 25 players stand?

Who’s left?

Here’s a look at the best recruits who remain uncommitted and are expected to make their decision during the Spring Signing Period (April 14-20, 2020).

1. Jalen Green
Schools being considered: Fresno State, Memphis, Oregon, Auburn, USC
Latest buzz: Green, ranked No. 3 in the Chosen 25, had originally planned to commit on Christmas but will likely make his decision in the spring.

2. Greg Brown
Schools being considered: Kentucky, Texas, Memphis, Auburn, North Carolina
Latest buzz: Brown’s only official visit was to Texas, but he’s taken unofficials to every other school on his list. Brown, ranked No. 7 in the Chosen 25, plans to take officials to the other four in the coming months.

3. Ziaire Williams
Schools being considered: USC, North Carolina, Stanford, Oregon, Arizona
Latest buzz: Williams, ranked No. 9 in the Chosen 25, has already taken official visits to USC, North Carolina and Stanford and is considering taking other officials to Oregon and Arizona.

4. Cam Thomas
Schools being considered: UCLA, LSU, Auburn
Latest buzz: Thomas, ranked No. 11 in the Chosen 25, told USA Today Sports that he still could potentially decide during the Early Period; LSU and UCLA lead.

5. Josh Christopher
Schools being considered: Howard, Michigan, Missouri, Arizona State, UCLA
Latest buzz: Christopher, ranked No. 16 in the Chosen 25, has a long way to go with most of his visits ahead of him; still, most agree that it will be hard to lure Christopher away from the west coast.

Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY