Blue snags 3 recruits

By Yvo Maldonado
For the Daily

With Maurice Taylor's early exit to the National Basketball Association, something is desperately lacking on the Michigan men's basketball team: talent.

Although this year's class may not provide all the answers, it does give Michigan coach Steve Fisher more flexibility with his rotation than last season.

The 1997 recruiting class consists of three players: Brandon Smith, a forward from Amarillo, Texas (6-foot-7, 210-pounds), Josh Asselin, a center from Caro, Mich. (6-11, 230) and Leon Jones, a guard from Battle Creek (6-4, 185).

Smith is the premier player in the class and committed during the early-signing period. Smith is ranked No. 64 by Clark Francis of HoopScoop magazine. Smith should battle forward Jerod Ward for major playing time.

Asselin is the big man of the group. At nearly seven feet, he will provide size in the middle and should compete with Peter Vignier for backup playing time.

Jones, a quick shooting guard who can play small forward, has given a verbal commitment to play at Michigan.

His score of 15 on the ACTs did not meet NCAA standards, and he can only sign a letter of intent if his new score - available late June - is a 17 or better.

JOE WESTRATE/Daily
Maurice Taylor helped the Michigan men's basketball team to an NIT title on the court, but also sparked off-court speculation, leaving college early for the NBA.

Summer Orientation 1997