**WELCOME TO MICHIGAN: Nation’s No. 1 Player, 7-Foot-9 Phenom, Shocks College Basketball World by Flipping Commitment to Wolverines Over Powerhouses Duke, NC State, and Alabama**
*Ann Arbor, MI – June 6, 2025*
In a seismic shift that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, the nation’s No. 1 high school basketball recruit — a towering 7-foot-9 center simply known as “The Titan” — has flipped his commitment from a field of blue-blood powerhouses to the University of Michigan.
The dominant prospect had been widely projected to land at Duke, with North Carolina State and Alabama also firmly in the mix. But in a surprise announcement livestreamed Friday evening, the generational talent donned a maize-and-blue cap and declared his intent to join the Michigan Wolverines for the 2025–26 season.
> “I want to build something different. I want to make history,” he said. “Michigan felt like home — on and off the court.”
The 17-year-old phenom, whose full name is being withheld due to NIL contract negotiations, has been a viral sensation since middle school due to his staggering height, elite mobility, and game-changing shot-blocking ability. Standing 7-foot-9 with an 8-foot wingspan, he has shattered records and backboards alike throughout his high school career. Comparisons to Victor Wembanyama, Yao Ming, and even Wilt Chamberlain have swirled in scouting circles, but many believe his impact could surpass them all at the college level.
### A Game-Changer for Michigan
For Michigan, this commitment is a monumental win. Head coach Dusty May, in his first full recruiting cycle with the Wolverines, now has the cornerstone piece to launch the program back into national prominence.
> “This is not just a big day for Michigan basketball — this is a big day for college basketball,” said May in a press release. “We’re building something special here, and \[the player] saw that vision.”
The Wolverines have not reached the Final Four since 2018, but this commitment instantly changes expectations for the program. Already, ticket sales for next season have surged, and the Crisler Center is preparing for record attendance and national media attention.
### Ripple Effects Across the Nation
The shock of the flip was felt immediately in Durham, Raleigh, and Tuscaloosa.
> “He was Duke’s to lose,” one anonymous ACC assistant coach said. “But Michigan came in strong — and NIL played a huge role.”
Sources close to the recruitment say Michigan’s rapidly growing NIL infrastructure, combined with its academic reputation and vision for player development, helped seal the deal. Endorsement deals are already rumored to be in the multi-million-dollar range.
### Looking Ahead
While skeptics will point to the pressure that comes with being the most-hyped high school recruit in recent memory, coaches and scouts believe the Wolverines’ new star is more than ready.
> “He’s not just tall — he’s skilled, focused, and mature beyond his years,” said ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. “Michigan is about to become the epicenter of college basketball.”
As Ann Arbor prepares for a historic season, one thing is certain: college basketball will never look the same again.
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*Stay tuned for updates on Michigan’s roster moves, NIL developments, and national ranki
ngs as the 2025-26 season approaches.*
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