JaDun Michael Feeling The Love From USF
In February Burlington (NC) School 2021 wing JaDun Michael was the only sophomore named to the NCISAA 1A all-state boys basketball team yet he remained somewhat of an under the radar prospect outside of his home state of North Carolina.
In late May a buzz began to start about the long-armed athletic three-star wing due to his impressive play at Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions event in Georgia. The buzz continued to grow at the NC Showcase at Greensboro Day School in June, an event that Division I recruiters could attend, and it only got bigger at the adidas Gauntlet Championships in Birmingham, AL earlier this month.
Since the NC Showcase, Michael has picked up offers from USF plus programs in the Big East and SEC. He is also receiving interest from several ACC schools.
“At first I was hearing from Elon and mid majors,” Michael said. “High majors questioned whether I was truly high major or not but then June (evaluation periods) hit and I guess that showed that I could play mid to high major level and high majors started calling. It feels like a dream almost.”
At 6-foot-6, 185 pounds, Michael has the size, length and ball handling skills to play, and defend, multiple positions on the floor. Some consider him the top North Carolina prospect in the 2021 class.
USF head coach Brian Gregory and assistant Larry Dixon watched Michael in June in Charlotte and again in Birmingham. Michael’s USF offer came soon afterwards.
“They told my AAU Coach that they really liked me and stuff like that,” Michael said of the Bulls coaching staff. “We were actually expecting the offer after (the June evaluation period). Then they came again and watched me in Alabama so I kind of expected it.”
Michael told RunningTheBulls.com that he has not spoken with Gregory yet, he did noticed the Bulls head coach watching his games in Birmingham, but he is building a relationship with Dixon.
“He sees a lot in me,” said Michael. He watched me with my high school team so he knows that I can really score the ball. With my AAU team, everybody knows we have Josh Hall and our team is very talented so I don’t have to worry about scoring instead I try to do everything else like rebounding and defending. He said that showed a lot about me. He said ‘we don’t like you, we love you.’
In addition to USF, Michael listed offers from Providence, Texas A&M, Penn State, Hofstra, UNCG, Hampton, Middle Tennessee State, Elon, Appalachian State, Old Dominion and DePaul plus added that he has heard from North Carolina State, Clemson, Virginia and Wake Forest.
We asked Team Loaded NC head coach Joseph Adams for his thoughts on Michael.
IN HIS COACH’S WORDS
He’s a two-way junkyard dog. Whatever his team needs he’s willing to do. He is really explosive getting to the basket, his midrange is his best shot and he is an even better kid. He stays in the gym and works out three to four times a day. He is just hungry to get better.