McLimans finds perfect fit

Blake McLimans, a 6-foot-10 forward from Worcester (Mass.) Academy, was a hot name amongst college coaches looking for a skilled big man this month. And just before the doors officially blew open with eager recruiters, the skilled big man ended his recruitment late Monday night.

McLimans is taking his game to Michigan, according to his high school coach Ed Reilly. The upstate New York native visited the Big Ten school over the weekend and saw enough to end his recruitment.

"If you had to project a typical John Beilein type of player, at least in the frontcourt, then Blake matches a lot of skills in what John uses in his offense," Reilly said.

"He's long and he's probably going to become a lot more athletic than he is now once he gets stronger and more explosive. He probably has a 7-foot-1 wingspan that can be awfully good in that 1-3-1 zone out on the wing. I think John was really enticed by Blake's ability to stretch the defense by knocking down shots from that new three-point line but also making plays.

"Blake is a very good passer. In time, when he learns how to handle the ball better and his explosiveness off the dribble, I think he's going to be a pretty good three man. Right now, he's a classic four, five, call him what you want, kind of player that can step away and someone that you have to defend on the wing. That opens up a lot for your cutters and things like that where in John's system is just a plus for a guy like Blake."

McLimans also considered Providence, where he visited officially earlier in the month. He joins Darius Morris, Matt Vogrich and Jordan Morgan in the 2009 recruiting class for the Wolverines.