Michigan Basketball: 5 Biggest Developments in Wolverines' 2014 Offseason

Success begins in the offseason, and Michigan basketball’s recent moves behind the scenes certainly suggest that 2014-15 could be a fruitful affair for coach John Beilein’s Wolverines.

A star player is recovering from foot surgery, while a former recruit is moving past tragedy; a new member has been added to the coaching staff, and there is plenty to like about Beilein’s recruiting class and returning firepower.

Michigan isn't a favorite to win the Big Ten or make a run to the Final Four. But it's a program that has more than a few things going in its favor. 

This slideshow will examine five of the biggest happenings during the Wolverines’ soon-to-be-ending offseason.

The New Addition: Chris Hunter, Player Personnel

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Chris Hunter was coached by one of the NBA's greats, Don Nelson, while with Golden State. Maybe he picked up a few things?

Chris Hunter played at Michigan from 2002 to 2006. He wasn't a star by any stretch, but as a four-year contributor, it's safe to assume that he's well versed on commitment and sacrifice in the name of team. 

He should fit well as the Wolverines' new director of personnel. He's old enough to know better, but young enough to relate to today's player. He's in place to be a great mentor. 

According to Brendan F. Quinn of MLive.com, Beilein's excited to have Hunter aboard, citing the former student-athlete's academic background and understanding of the game. 

In 2009-10, Hunter appeared in 60 games with the Golden State Warriors, starting nine of them. The 6'11", 240-pound F/C also has 62 games of D-League experience, per Basketball-Reference. 

The Foot: Caris LeVert Is Returning to Health

Associated Press

Caris LeVert had a fractured left foot during the NCAA tournament.

By now, you've heard that Caris LeVert, Michigan's Big Ten Player of the Year candidate, gutted out the latter stretch of this past season with a fractured bone in his left foot. 

According to Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press, about a month ago, LeVert said that he's beginning to recondition himself. Beilein expressed confidence in the process. 

Now at 6'7" and 200 pounds, LeVert's not only considered one of the best in his league, but also among the top wings in all of college hoops. He's a projected first-round pick in the 2015 NBA draft.

Part of Michigan's success will hinge on his continuous recovery and development. 

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.@si_ncaabb ranks Treveon Graham (VCU), Caris LeVert (UMich) and JayVaughn Pinkston ('Nova) among top wing players. http://t.co/iKoiv0CSnW

— Legends Classic (@LegendsBBall) September 3, 2014"

Overcoming the Odds: Austin Hatch Is on an Impressive Road to Recovery

Austin Hatch has overcome insurmountable odds, defying death twice before he graduated high school. 

He lost his parents and siblings in private plane crashes in 2003 and 2011. He lost life as he knew it. After a medically induced coma stole 50 pounds and considerable amounts of muscle, getting back to "normal" probably seemed impossible, let alone ever playing college basketball. 

He's making steps to reclaim his handle on basketball, and in life. Beilein's been there, through good and bad, to help Hatch move forward in the best way possible. 

Hatch recently detailed some of the contact, via Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press:

"

He came to the hospital to visit me twice. Once when I was in Traverse City, I was in a medically induced coma and I didn’t know he was there. Then I remember the (other) visit vividly, he came to visit me at the RIC (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) in Chicago before I re-learned how to walk. Talk about a man of loyalty. Coach Beilein, he’s the most loyal man I know.”

The conversation at that time has resonated with Hatch, even three years later.

“He told me when I was in a wheelchair, Austin, I can’t wait for you to come here and play for me,” Hatch recalled. “We’re going to be honored to have you as a part of our program. It says a lot about the kind of man he is.

"

Whether or not Hatch materializes into a solid in-game contributor is irrelevant. If he does, great. If he doesn't, well, it doesn't matter. He's already won.

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Austin Hatch, Plane Crash Survivor, Never Doubted He'd Make It http://t.co/E4dXUnrmbu

— WNDU (@WNDU) September 7, 2014"

Fast Frosh: Watch Kameron Chatman Make Strides

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Le migliori azioni di Kameron Chatman! #ncaatour http://t.co/KtTf8XnPWy

— CollegeBasketTour (@NcaaItaly) September 3, 2014"

Once he's fully acclimated to college hoops, Kameron Chatman should be a tremendous asset to the Wolverines' frontcourt. In addition to scoring from the outside, the nearly 6'7", 200-pound winger can rebound and produce in the paint. 

Well rounded is getting better, though. The freshman is grasping concepts a bit sooner than expected and showing Beilein that he wants to play a major role this season. 

CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein sees plenty of minutes in Chatman's immediate future.

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Expect Kameron Chatman to inherit a large chunk of Glenn Robinson III's role for Michigan. Skilled 6-8 F. Perfect for John Beilein.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 19, 2014"

Point of Contact: It's Really Derrick Walton's Turn

Point guards are always important, especially for teams with designs of making a dash toward it all in the tournament. 

Derrick Walton could be such a building block. As a freshman, the 6'0", 185-pound distributor earned all-conference honors. He's yet to miss a game, appearing in 37 with 36 starts, but more importantly, he's proven to be a valuable scorer, reaching double digits 12 times in his budding collegiate career. 

Beilein's known for grooming talent. Nik Stauskas and Trey Burke each saw a bump in performance after one year in the system.

Walton shouldn't be any different. 

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#Michigan sophomores Derrick Walton, Zak Irvin, preparing to take the Year one-to-two leap under Beilein (FREE): http://t.co/Iu5LIxCRfF

— Steve Lorenz (@TremendousUM) August 14, 2014"

Follow Bleacher Report's Michigan Wolverines basketball writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81.