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In the current era of players who are one-and-done in college basketball, it is not rare at all for a player to make an impact in his freshman season and turn and walk away for NBA riches.
That is why Michigan may look at an incoming freshman as the secret of its success in the 2014-15 campaign.
Kameron Chatman, who attended Columbia Christian High School in Portland, Ore., is one of six recruits Michigan coach John Beilein brought in this season, and he may make an impact right away.
Let’s review. Michigan is coming off two of the most successful seasons in school history. Last year, the team reached the Elite Eight and missed out on a trip to the Final Four due to a late three-pointer by Kentucky.
Since then, many of those key players have gone on to greener pastures. Jon Horford and Jordan Morgan graduated, but Horford went on to Florida. Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III declared for the NBA Draft, and Mitch McGary declared for the draft after he was suspended due to marijuana violations.
That is a lot of talent to leave one team at the same time.
The cyclical nature of college basketball, however, means that players come and go and teams still do well. Look at Connecticut winning two NCAA titles in four years. Duke consistently reloads.
Chatman could help Michigan stay competitive if he is as good as advertised. A small forward and five-star scout recruit, he just missed the cut for the 2014 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship. He led Columbia Christian to a state title in Oregon and attracted national attention with his play.
Don’t be surprised if Chatman becomes a leading scorer right away. His credentials are impressive, and soon the rest of the nation is likely to know about him.
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