McLimons Picks Michigan

NewEnglandRecruitingReport.com | Monday, October 27th, 2008

On Tuesday morning Blake McLimons announced that he was making a verbal commitment to the University of Michigan.  The decision comes just 24 hours after McLimons returned to Worcester following his official visit to the Big Ten Campus.

“He visited there this weekend, Saturday through Monday, and enjoyed the climate, enjoyed the academic set-up they have at Michigan and felt very comfortable with the business management program,” Worcester Academy head coach told the Detroit Free Press.  “He went into this weekend knowing a little bit about [Michigan head coach] John [Beilein], his system and style of play.  John has had success with big men who stress defense and knock down three-point shots.  He showed Blake how he intends to use him.”

McLimons certainly appears tailor made for the Wolverines style of play as his size and picture perfect shooting stroke should make him a natural fit in their Princeton style offense while their trademark 1-3-1 half-court defense should best utilize his size and length while camouflaging some of his deficiencies.  

When the Buffalo area big man first decided to attend Worcester Academy it was with the hope that he would be exposed to a higher level of college coaches.  That has certainly been the case for the last few months.  The WA gym has been a hot spot as of late for college coaches from all levels, and no one has been more popular in recent weeks than McLimons. 

While coaches are certainly impressed by his size and ability to shoot the ball, it is the belief that he is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential that has so many intrigued.  Despite being a post-graduate, McLimons is still young for his grade.  He is also a player who, before this season, never made a full time commitment to basketball as he was a three sport star in high school and someone who wasn’t always active on the AAU scene.  It all adds up to a young big man that has the potential to eventually evolve into a nice piece of the Michigan attack.

McLimons becomes the fifth member of Worcester Academy's squad to make his college decision - and third in the last week - joining Sam Martin (Yale), Ben Crenca (Vermont), Gabe Kindred (Loyola of Chicago), and Daymon Warren (George Washington).