Michigan basketball recruiting: Antonio Reeves, Floyd Bidunga, more

Michigan is still actively pursuing players in the portal as well as in the classes of 2024, ’25 (and beyond). Head coach Juwan Howard and his staff are still trying to solidify the 2023 roster, but it appears one potentially big piece will be off the table soon. 

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As we reported over the weekend, there were mixed signals on Kentucky transfer Antonio Reeves. The Kentucky guys at KSR, extremely dialed in, said Reeves was taking classes at Illinois State so he could pursue a grad transfer. One of our sources at On3, though, told us it would all come down to NIL — if he got what he was looking for, he’d stay. 

Today, KSR reports Reeves could announce as soon as today that he’s staying at Kentucky. It’s not locked in, but it certainly seems to be headed that way. 

It appears former Rutgers guard Paul Mulcahy is the best bet, at least at this point. 

On class of 2024 recruits: 

• Five-star and 2024’s best big man, Flory Bidunga, enjoyed a great visit, but he’s not reclassifying to 2023 (would have been great, of course, for Michigan if they’d pulled that off with Hunter Dickinson now at Kansas). The 6-9 standout out of Kokomo (Ind.) High won Co-MVP honors at the Pangos All-American Camp.

“It was a great visit,” Bidunga said of Michigan. “I was there once before and came back. [Juwan Howard] is a pretty good coach, and obviously he’s been in the NBA. He played my position as a big, so that’s really interesting. 

“I’ve talked to coach Howard a couple of times. We have a pretty good relationship with them. He met my family. He’s not texting me all the time too, so he gives me time and gives me space. I really appreciate it. The [facilities] were pretty big time. I did love it. I like Jordan, and it’s a pretty good brand. That’s great.”

Bidunga has also made official visits to Florida, Auburn, and Kansas. Indiana, Cincinnati, Purdue, Butler, and Michigan State have all hosted him for unofficials, and he wants to see Kentucky. It sounds like Duke is his “dream school.”

He hopes to decide by the end of summer.

• Marcus Allen, a 6-6 wing out of Florida, has taken official visits to Miami and Missouri. He’s averaging 10.4 points and 4.5 rebounds on Nike’s EYBL Circuit.

Allen transferred from Chandler Prep in Arizona back home to Miami Norland High.

“UConn, Michigan, and Ohio State are all talking to me about visits,” Allen said. “My most recent offer is from Creighton.”

“The relationship I have with Coach Howard … he’s just a really good dude, really down to earth. He’s a good dude to talk to outside of basketball. You know a Coach Howard’s team is going to play hard, especially on the defensive end, and that fits how I play too.”

Allen wants to sign early, but he’s in no rush.

• Washington (D.C.) Sidwell Friends School three-star small forward Caleb Williams is down to seven schools — Georgetown, Indiana, Miami, Michigan, Syracuse, Villanova, and Virginia. He has officially visited Michigan, Indiana, Villanova, and Georgetown. 

A D.C. native, Williams is currently averaging 6.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assits per game for Team Takeover on the EYBL Circuit. He ranks as the No. 117 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

• Point guard Boogie Fland, meanwhile, checks in at No. 7. The 6-3 point guard averaged 18.1 points and 3.7 assists with 62 made threes this season with White Plains (NU) Archbishop Stepinac. 

He visited Michigan weeks ago and has seen UNC, as well.

“I got a great feel for the environment and the campus. Everyone around was nice people,” the Michigan target said. “The staff is great; they’ve let me know they want me there. They play a pick-and-roll offense, spread the ball around.”

We’ve heard Michigan center Tarris Reed was one of the hosts and was outstanding in the role. This could be a tough one to land, however. 

• Liam McNeely, now at Montverde Academy and originally from Richardson, Texas, is down to Alabama, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Texas. McNeeley has made official visits to Texas and Indiana but also hopes to make trips to Oklahoma, Kansas, and Michigan before deciding. 

McNeeley is currently averaging 15.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game for the Florida Rebels EYBL team. He’s a top 10 player in the 2024 class and is a great student.

“Coach Howard talks to me every week,” he said. “We talk on the phone, we text. He’s obviously a great basketball mind, playing in the NBA and playing at Michigan and now coaching at Michigan. 

“He is coaching his son right now, Jett, and he’s doing really good, so it’s good to see. I’m excited to grow that relationship.”

• Finally, big man John Bol has committed to Florida. Michigan stropped recruiting him after the 7-2, 190-pounder signed with Level 13 Agency for representation ahead of his senior season.