Michigan basketball: 5-star target visiting UConn; Can Dusty May close?

Originally posted on Blue By Ninety | By Chris Peterson | Last updated 4/18/24

There are still some talented prospects available in the 2024 recruiting class. Michigan basketball knows that well as Justin Pippen is on the Wolverines’ radar, along with five-star recruit Liam McNeeley.

McNeeley was the first recruiting call made by Dusty May as the Michigan basketball head coach. McNeeley also said the Wolverines were among the programs recruiting him the hardest.

However, some other programs are starting to look like serious contenders. John Calipari and Arkansas have entered the mix according to Paul Biancardi. Jerry Jones is reportedly throwing around NIL money now, so beating out the Razorbacks for a 5-star is going to be difficult.

The latest on Liam McNeeley, ESPN's No. 11 and top uncommitted prospect in the country.

Today, Arkansas Razorbacks' new head coach, John Calipari, made a visit to Florida's Montverde Academy.

McNeeley has an official visit scheduled for Connecticut on April 22nd and 23rd. No… pic.twitter.com/l92IN9kTOU

— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) April 17, 2024

McNeeley is also going to take an official visit to see the defending national champions on April 20th. There are no other official visits scheduled at this time.

There hasn’t been a cut list or anything, so Michigan basketball isn’t out of it, but the Wolverines need to get him on campus and probably need a big NIL offer or it’s hard to see this one happening.

Michigan basketball target will announce on Friday

While McNeeley is trending away from Michigan basketball, it seems, the Wolveines are the favorite to land four-star combo guard Justin Pippen on Friday.

Pippen will announce his commitment among a final group that includes Michgan, Georgia Tech, Stanford, and Texas A&M. Pippen, a 6-foot-3 guard, is one of the fastest risers in the 2024 class. He’s now ranked 139th according to the 247 Sports composite rankings, but 247 Sports own rankings have him at 62nd overall. Pippen is also ranked by 247 Sports as the No. 9 combo guard.

Four-star guard Justin Pippen to announce college decision on Friday – https://t.co/TH9CnGJOUq

— Dylan Burkhardt (@umhoops) April 17, 2024

There’s a lot to like about Pippen. His dad was an NBA legend too, which doesn’t hurt. Bloodlines matter and the kid clearly has talent. His best basketball is also ahead of him and feels like he could be an NBA draft pick in a few years.

We’ll see if Dusty May can close his first commitment.

This article first appeared on Blue By Ninety and was syndicated with permission.

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