Michigan generates Rooths as top recruit because ’21

• Jeff Borzello Close Jeff Borzello ESPN Staff Writer Basketball recruiting expert. Joined ESPN in 2014. Graduate of University of Delaware.Paul Biancardi Close Paul Biancardi Basketball Recruiting National Recruiting Director for ESPN.com 18 years of training experience at Department I

  level Previous Horizon League coach of the year at Wright State Nov 12, 2023, 12:36 PM

• ET The Michigan guys’s basketball team rollovered its on-court momentum to the recruiting trail Sunday, landing top-25 senior Khani

Rooths– the Wolverines’ highest-ranked recruit since the 2021 class.Rooths picked Michigan over Georgia and Florida State. The Bulldogs were the viewed favorite for the previous number of months, but Michigan hosted Rooths on a visit last weekend, and coach Juwan Howard was able to convince him to sign up with the Wolverines.”I have an unique relationship with the staff and Coach Howard,”Rooths informed ESPN.” The team and program had a family environment to it. My mother stated it reminded her of when I went to intermediate school at JWA in Washington, D.C. Coach Howard is a dad figure to me. He gives me advice both off the court and on the court. Coach Howard will assist me grow as a much better man. “Together with Howard, Rooths has a strong relationship with Dug McDaniel(who hosted him on his see)and Terrance Williams– also products from the D.C. area. Rooths likewise said he compares himself to previous Michigan players Isaiah Livers and Franz Wagner, who went

on to NBA professions.” They have had players like me drafted at the wing position,” Rooths said. “I know this is a great chance for me to dip into Michigan.”A 6-foot-8 forward from IMG Academy(Florida), Rooths is ranked No. 23 in the ESPN 100 for the 2024 class. He is ranked as the No. 4 power forward in the

country however can playing either forward position.Rooths programs fluid motion when assaulting the basket and explosiveness near the rim. He brings a great deal of versatility, contributing as a finisher, protector and scorer. He plays both inside and out with efficiency. Defensively, Rooths will secure the ball with lateral ability and length, contest shots and rebound with the ability to take the ball and press it on the break. He is an alert protector and gets his share of deflections, steals and obstructs. When Rooths is aggressive assaulting the basket, he can score or get to the free toss line at a high rate, and while his perimeter skills are progressing, he is most comfy and impactful inside the arc.Michigan now has 3 recruits in its 2024 class, with Rooths signing up with four-star guards Durral Brooks and Christian Anderson.The Wolverines opened the 2023-24 season with blowout wins over UNC Asheville and Youngstown State and will travel to Madison Square Garden to handle St. John’s on Monday.