I've used the following saying a lot over the years. It's one thing to be a four or a five-star

recruit. It's another thing entirely to be a four- or five-star college basketball player.

Recruiting these days receives a ton of coverage, which is fitting because of how vital

it is to a college basketball program to any program in college sports. So when you see your favorite team secure a highly regarded recruit, yeah, you better

believe it's exciting.

But that only increases the likelihood of a team drastically improving.

It doesn't guarantee it.

There's so much more that goes into all of it, the development of a player.

Over the last couple of months, culminating with this episode,

we've gotten a chance to catch up with every new member of this Michigan men's basketball

program.

This week, we conclude with Doug McDaniel and Cooper Smith.

And for these two and the others we've spoken with, and I'm including the freshman class

and the new transfers, Jalen Newellan and Joey Baker here too.

We don't know how their careers will ultimately end up.

But off the court, in these settings, around the community, there really is a lot to be proud of.

Every year legitimately, one of my absolute favorite projects is this series.

These are oftentimes my first interactions with these Wolverines, and pretty much

every time I come away impressed with who they are as people. Of course, listen, I know how this works.

Most people are locked into these individuals on the floor, what they will do for Michigan as

basketball players. That's how fans think.

Totally get it.

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