Dusty May said on the Jon Rothstein podcast on Monday that the Michigan basketball roster was almost complete. He talked about adding another young guy to the roster and followed through with that on Tuesday with the commitment of 2024 guard Lorenzo Cason.
Cason is a 6-foot-3 guard who signed with Florida Atlantic coming out of high school. He asked for a release out of his letter of intent. Cason visited Michigan basketball. He also visited Florida before making a decision.
The addition of Cason is an interesting one. I trust Dusty May’s evaluation but Cason is a three-star according to 247 Sports but unranked in the 247 Sports composite rankings. Florida, Florida State, Seton Hall, Murray State, and FAU were the main schools involved, but the Wolverines beat out Florida for this commitment.
Here are more thoughts on the commitment of Cason.
What Lorenzo Cason means for Michigan basketball roster
May said that the Michigan roster was almost complete on Monday. If Nimari Burnett and Jace Howard stay, the Wolverines would have just one spot left after Cason — likely for Vlad Goldin.
It’s possible that Burnett or Howard could leave, but they haven’t yet. Burnett could be a valuable player next season. Last year, he would be a valuable contributor to a winning team, as long as he’s willing to come off the bench.
Jace Howard didn’t play much last season anyway. If he wants to get his degree, this could be another Adrien Nunez situation and that’s fine. I know some fans want Johnell Davis or Aidan Mahaney but neither of those guys has visited. They also don’t seem focused on Michigan at all.
I said it when Roddy Gayle committed, but I don’t see him and Davis on the same roster. It’s always possible, just like having two 7-footers, but they are similar players and would each have to be accepting of sharing the ball.
The Wolverines do need another scorer, but Goldin should be the guy. He could be the best center in the Big Ten next season. He’s been surrounded by a bunch of high-major players, most with their best ball ahead of them.
More on Lorenzo Cason
It will be up to May to get that out of them. Just like it will be up to him to develop Cason who is a dynamic scoring guard. He’s averaged over 24 points per game in the last three seasons. He shot over 40 percent from 3-point range in the past two seasons and even scored 27 points a game twice in the past three years.
Cason is a scoring point guard who can create his own shot and it feels like a great complement to Justin Pippen — two guards who can be developed as the future starting backcourt, along with Durral Brooks.
You don’t want an entire team of transfers. Michigan also can’t play 13 players. It’s smart to have guys to develop. May now has three young guards, who can each play the point, to develop and it’s clear that a lack of guards won’t be an issue under May. Ever.
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