Jaelin Llewellyn discusses his relationship with Dug McDaniel

Michigan’s basketball season did not go according to plan in 2023, all starting with Princeton transfer and starting point guard Jaelin Llewellyn’s season-ending injury he suffered against Kentucky just eight games into the schedule. That setback thrusted skinny and sub-six-foot true freshman Dug McDaniel into the PG role the rest of the year — and results were mixed.

Now, McDaniel has taxing year of experience under his belt but he’ll be better for it; meanwhile, Llewellyn is back for a fifth year of school after receiving a medical redshirt for last season. Sure, the Wolverines lost star guard Kobe Bufkin and Caleb Love had to go elsewhere, but a more seasoned McDaniel along with a steadier ball-handler next to him in Llewellyn should raise the level of the Wolverine’s backcourt next season.

So far, while he was sidelined, Llewellyn has helped mentor McDaniel and says he’s even seen some growth from the young guard.

“He’s definitely grown a lot and it’s fun to watch. He’s definitely a fantastic player and I think one of the things I’ve tried to just instill in him is to keep his self confidence and his swagger,” Llewellyn shared on the MGoBlue Podcast with Jon Jansen.

“And he plays the game with a lot of heart, and when he brings that heart to both sides of the floor, it’s really fun to watch,” Llewellyn added. “I’m just — I was just trying to fill him with confidence and energy in life, you know. It can be challenging for a freshman to come in, especially when that’s not how you started the season.”

Wise words from the older and well-spoken guard, who was also asked about another rising sophomore: forward Tarris Reed. Llewellyn couldn’t say enough about his athleticism and ability to make plays on both ends.

“I mean, he’s a beast on both ends. And it’s just exciting, because when you have someone that big and that athletic, like, you make a mistake on the defensive end and he’s the type of guy who can clean it up at the last second and make those crazy blocks, monster blocks that he does. And then, go down on the other floor and he has the ability to go up and catch lobs and dunks. He just brings such a high energy and a high motor.”

That’s some pretty exciting stuff on the Wolverine underclassmen. With an older guard like Jaelin Llewellyn back out there plus a year of experience under the belt of a big sophomore class, Michigan should be a little more veteran to start next year — now, they just gotta stay healthy.