Latest news with #AnnArbor-bound
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan basketball expected to add German 7-footer Malick Kordel to 2025 class
Michigan basketball expected to add German 7-footer Malick Kordel to 2025 class Dusty May has been cooking on the recruiting trail and via the transfer portal, bringing in players like five-star combo guard Trey McKenney, No. 1 transfer Yaxel Lendeborg, and other key pieces like center Aday Mara, forward Morez Johnson Jr., and guard Elliot Cadeau. And it appears that Michigan basketball's recruiting class is getting bigger — literally. The Wolverines had one late addition in three-star Patrick Liburd — who officially signed this week — and appear set to add another. Having played in Germany for the Fraport Skyliners, Malick Kordel rings in at 7-foot-1, 250 pounds, and also had interest from Iowa, Butler, Villanova, Xavier, and others. With the Skyliners, Kordel averaged 11.9 points per game, 8.4 rebounds, and shot 71.4% from the field. Kordel appears to be Ann Arbor-bound after appearing in the University of Michigan directory. There has been no official announcement from either Kordel, any of the recruiting sites, or Michigan basketball at this juncture. Should he join the fold as expected, that would give the maize and blue to run with two seven-footers on the floor again — this time with Kordel and Mara — as they had last year with Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf. The scouting report from the Villanova Rivals site: A raw athlete with growing understanding of basketball, Kordel still has a lot to learn about the game, considering he just recently picked up the sport within the last several years. At the same time, he uses his physical tools well in the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL). With those tools, Kordel is an uber-effective screener, making it look as though opposing defenders are running into a brick wall when he sets a pick. When he dives to the basket, Kordel uses his long frame to catch passes from the ball-handler as the roll man for easy dunks and finishes around the rim. He thrives in the high pick-and-roll. The added athleticism he possesses allows Kordel to take one or two bounding steps -- either from the free throw line or the opposing elbows -- and go up for a lob or find open space in the defense for a pass from a teammate that leads to an easy deuce. His size also allows him to post up defenders with ease. Though he needs to grow in his technical skills around the rim, Kordel uses his strength and overwhelming bulk to set himself up for easy buckets. He also has the ability to out-strength or out-size other bigs close to the rim, while serving as a lob threat in the pick and roll. In addition to bully ball, Kordel can use touch within five feet for floaters or soft hooks from a few feet out. Assuming his commitment, that would give Michigan four pledges in 2025, with McKenney, Liburd, Winters Grady, and now Kordel in the fold.
USA Today
08-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan basketball predicted to land UCLA center Aday Mara via transfer portal
Michigan basketball predicted to land UCLA center Aday Mara via transfer portal Michigan basketball is losing some size this offseason with Vlad Goldin graduating and a strong likelihood that Danny Wolf departs for the NBA. But the Wolverines have been striking gold in the transfer portal as of late. Thus far, North Carolina point guard Elliot Cadeau, Illinois forward Morez Johnson Jr., and top overall transfer portal prospect, UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg, have pledged to the maize and blue. While Lendeborg's future is uncertain as he's testing the NBA draft waters, the future does appear bright in Ann Arbor for Dusty May and company. And it may be getting brighter. According to On3 basketball insider Joe Tipton, Michigan basketball may be the team to beat for UCLA center Aday Mara, the 7-foot-3 behemoth from Spain who's coming off of his second year in college. Like Cadeau, Mara was a five-star prospect as a recruit, and it appears that he could be Ann Arbor-bound, with Tipton putting in a prediction he'll choose the Wolverines. On3 has Mara as the fourth-best center in the transfer portal and the No. 45 player, regardless of position. Should he choose the maize and blue, that would give Michigan four transfers in the top 60, with Lendeborg at No. 1, Johnson at No. 31, and Cadeau at No. 59. Michigan currently has three transfer portal additions but four departures, with Tre Donaldson, Justin Pippen, Jace Howard, and Sam Walters all entering the portal.
