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Incoming 5-star Michigan forward Caleb Houstan earns high praise from NBA Draft expert

Spenser Davis

By Spenser Davis

Published:

Incoming Michigan freshman Caleb Houstan is already on the NBA Draft radar for 2022.

The talented 5-star played for Team Canada at the FIBA U-19 World Championships this month, and his defense caught the attention of ESPN’s DraftExpress.

Here’s a breakdown:

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony has identified Houstan as a player to watch for the 2022 draft cycle. Here’s an excerpt of his analysis:

Known as a spot-up shooter earlier in his career, Houstan struggled badly with his jumper (11-of-58 from 3, 19%) in Latvia, but showed impressive versatility as a ball handler, passer and finisher, attacking the rim relentlessly, playing through contact, extending gracefully for layups with both hands around the basket and coming up huge for Canada late in games on several occasions.

Houstan was also one of the most impactful defenders at the tournament, demonstrating elite awareness off the ball as well as the ability to get up and guard smaller players with his quick feet and tough-minded approach.

Givony is also optimistic that Houstan’s shooting percentages will improve with a different role at Michigan. If that happens, it’s possible he could be a top-five pick in next year’s NBA Draft.

Houstan is the crown jewels of the best recruiting class in the nation, per 247Sports Composite rankings. Michigan signed six incoming freshman, including another 5-star and three 4-star prospects.

NBAMockDraft.net’s latest mock has Houston as the No. 10 overall pick in next year’s draft.

Michigan also returns center Hunter Dickinson and guard Eli Brooks to a team that won the Big Ten regular season last year.

Spenser Davis

Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.