Nik Stauskas signs, joins McGary, Robinson III in 2012 Michigan basketball class
And then there were three.
After getting national letters of intent from MItch McGary and Glenn Robinson III on Wednesday, Michigan basketball coach John Beilein completed his early period business Friday when St. Mark's (Mass.) shooting guard Nik Stauskas signed to play for the Wolverines next season.
"Nik is an outstanding three-point shooter who becomes a playmaker with the ball off the bounce," Beilein said in a released statement. "He possesses tremendous ball handling skills and outstanding court vision which allow him to be an exceptional passer. Nik loves the gym and works tirelessly to expand his skill set.
"We welcome him to The University of Michigan with great anticipation."
The official announcement on Stauskas' signing came on Nov. 11, 2011. Staying in theme, Stauskas said via Twitter on Friday that he'll wear No. 11 next season.
A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Stauskas averaged 20 points, six rebounds and five assists per game at St. Mark's (Mass.) last season, leading the squad to a 26-2 record.
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound guard/forward is rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com and ESPN.com.
Rivals slots Stauskas as the 79th-best prospect in the 2012 class, and the 12th-best shooting guard. ESPN rates him as the 83rd-best prospect in America.
With McGary, Robinson and Stauskas signed, Michigan sits with a consensus top 10 recruiting class.
Michigan's class is ranked No. 7 by ESPN.com and No. 8 by Scout.com.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
81wolverine
Fri, Nov 11, 2011 : 6:01 p.m.
The game video I've seen of Stauskas is very impressive. Great shooter and passer like Coach Beilein says Although he doesn't have the flashy athletic ability of Robinson or McGary, he can still make great plays by using his ball handling and agility to take it to the basket. He's a perfect fit for the Beilein system. Welcome to Michigan Nik!
RWBill
Fri, Nov 11, 2011 : 5:23 p.m.
Great pickup again, Coach Beilein. Step by step he is building Michigan into a top 20, top 10 team. The downside will be if the top talent continues to leave after 2 seasons instead of playing through their full eligibility when they would be very dominant college players. Michigan hockey suffers from this process also. Hard to blame a young man from signing for a bonus or 6 or 7 digit pay check.
LHCarr
Fri, Nov 11, 2011 : 8:09 p.m.
I see what you mean about the kids leaving early, but I wouldn't call it a downside. It's the nature of the beast. You want those kids in your program; it means you're getting elite talent.
RWBill
Fri, Nov 11, 2011 : 5:24 p.m.
.. "young man FOR signing..."