Dusty May poised for first commitment as Michigan head coach

New Michigan basketball head coach Dusty May has been putting in a ton of work on the recruiting trail. Whether that’s win transfer portal targets or traditional recruits. It’s been impressive.

May hasn’t landed any commitments yet, although some transfers are coming soon (it feels like). But that should change on Friday at 4:30 PM EST as Justin Pippen, the Michigan basketball target, and son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen is expected to announce for the Wolverines.

Justin Pippen tells ESPN decision day is tomorrow. His final list of schools are:
Cal Berkeley, Stanford, Florida, Michigan, and Texas A&M.

He is one of the most improved players in the senior class. He has stayed diligent in the offseason and has become a leader as a senior.… pic.twitter.com/YdRo5vThsA

— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) April 18, 2024

Georgia Tech, Stanford, Texas A&M, Cal, and Michigan basketball are the finalists. Yet, the crystal balls and expert projections all favor the Wolverines at this point. Pippen is a 6-foot-3 combo guard and has been rising fast up the rankings. He’s now 62nd overall according to 247 Sports, 76th via Rivals, and 139th according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.

What Michigan basketball would be getting

ESPN doesn’t have him ranked. But he’s a solid 3-point shooter, he can attack the basket, and it feels like there’s a chance he could contribute right away. I’m not expecting him to start, but if he can develop and be ready to start year two — for multiple years perhaps — that would be an ideal first commitment in my book.

Beyond the bloodlines, Pippen has stepped up his game according to Jamie Shaw of On3.com.

“Justin Pippen is an aggressive guard,” Shaw wrote in his scouting report of the Michigan target. “He has a good frame, growing to the 6-3, 6-4 range with long arms and a projectable build. He is comfortable on or off the ball. Pippen aggressively touches the paint in the half court and finishes well at and above the rim.

“The jump shot is becoming a weapon as he continues to learn his shot selection. Pippen will need to continue working on the footwork and angles to help get to his spots. Simplifying his game, working on decision-making as he enters a college offense is a next step as well.

“Pippen is a late bloomer, having grown a few inches over the last year. He was a focal point of his high school’s offense for the first time this season and proved up to the task at Sierra Canyon/CA. Pippen’s game continues to improve and he is on a clear upward trajectory. He has defensive upside, guarding on and off the ball with purpose. He is the son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen.”

You can never say never in recruiting, but this one feels in the bag for Michigan basketball. We’ll have more once it happens but stay tuned for 4:30 PM EST.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms.