Recruit Mitch McGary narrows choices to Michigan, Duke and North Carolina (original) (raw)

By Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press

Mitch McGary, ESPN's top-ranked power forward for the 2012 basketball recruiting class, is close to making his college choice, and Michigan could be his pick.

McGary, a 6-foot-10 star from Brewster (N.H.) Academy, posted Monday in a blog he's writing for ESPN.com that he has taken three visits -- to Michigan, Duke and North Carolina -- and is not going anywhere else. He hopes to make his decision within a month. The early signing period is next month.

"I know there are a lot of rumors out there that I've already committed to certain schools, but I can honestly tell you guys that I don't know where I want to go," he wrote. "I have not committed anywhere so that's just not true."

Simply by reputation and achievement, Michigan is an underdog in this recruiting fight, but the Wolverines sound like contenders.

His thoughts on Michigan's visits: "Michigan has been here to see me the second most and I know that Michigan will be good too. They're in the rebuilding stage and Coach (John) Beilein is another guy I really respect and like. They're moving up in the rankings too."

On Michigan's appeal: "I look at who they've got coming in and I know they're in a rebuilding situation, but I know that's a situation where I could really come in and make a strong footprint. I feel like I could really help them and have a strong season there as a freshman.

"I like the Big Ten because it's known for having blue-collar type players, but the pace tends to be a little slower. I love to go to work in the paint, but I like to get out and run more so with Michigan that's something that I'll have to really look at."

Being from Chesterton, Ind., where Michigan captain Zack Novak grew up and 2012 commit Glenn Robinson III lives nearby, gives McGary some comfort.

"I do know that whenever I commit I'm gonna be one of those guys that recruits for the school I pick," he wrote. "I definitely won't force the school on guys. I'll just brag about it a lot."