Michigan Basketball Recruiting: Breaking Down Wolverines' 2016 Wish List

Michigan coach John Beilein is always on the prowl for talent.

At the moment, he has Jon Teske, a 6’11”, 210-pound center, in his back pocket for 2016. According to Verbal Commits, the Wolverines coach has nine open offers and two slots to fill for his next class.

With that said, Beilein’s almost guaranteed to get his pick of the litter. What’s not to like about the 9-2 ratio?

Now onto the disclaimer: This slideshow will highlight five of the Wolverines’ top targets—or “wish-listers”—based on team need, player fit, overall skill and the almighty popularity factor. 

Almost every coach wants the big-time, headlining 5-star kid. Whether or not said player’s “right” for the team is often overshadowed by “Who cares?! He’s a freak athlete! He's the next...”

One of those guys will be on this list.

Josh Jackson Is a Definite Wish-Lister

The No. 1-ranked shooting guard in the land is in Beilein's backyard, and it's Josh Jackson of Detroit Consortium.

At 6'6" and 165 pounds, he'd be an ideal shooter/winger for Beilein, who's had great success with those types during his eight years at Michigan. 

But there's a downside: It doesn't appear that the Wolverines will get the best kid in the Great Lakes who happens to be the No. 2-ranked prospect of his class. Nope. Kansas is in there, leading the pack of Crystal Ball predictions on 247Sports. 

Now the Crystal Ball isn't always right. But it's not always wrong. Take it for what it's worth: Jackson seems to be leaning toward the rock chalk. Per 247Sports, he has "cool" interest in Michigan.

"

Josh Jackson of Consortium is the best basketball player I have seen come out of a Michigan High School in a long long time..

— BleedBlueRecruiting (@BBlueRecruiting) January 15, 2014"

Miles Bridges Would Be Nice, Too

Miles Bridges left the state of Michigan in order to find better opportunity at Huntington Prep in West Virginia, a destination for many traveling stars. 

As it turns out, that plan is working wonders for Bridges, a 6'6", 210-pound small forward who's been viewed as "next" out of Flint since he was in eighth grade. (I know. I used to coach baseball at SWA and watched him practice in the gym. Bridges is the real deal.) 

Getting the hometown talent, regardless if it's been transplanted, is always a good look for Michigan, which battles with Michigan State for the best of the best on a yearly basis. As of mid-September, Bridges doesn't have a favorite.

However, the Crystal Ball shows the Spartans as the leaders. But there aren't many votes, so don't worry too much, Michigan fan. Beilein has plenty of time to get Bridges, an incredibly athletic and versatile forward who can score just about any way he chooses. 

Bridges has unofficially visited Iowa State (the school of Flint's Monte Morris), West Virginia and Michigan State. For the record, 247Sports has Bridges at No. 28 nationally. But the props from ESPN are duly noted:

"

ESPN 2016 Top 60 has three players from Michigan. 2. Josh Jackson 8. Miles Bridges (Flint) 54. Cassius Winston http://t.co/GKiXsNO9aS

— ESPN 100.9-FM (@ESPN1009) June 5, 2014"

TJ Leaf Is an Ideal Candidate

Put it this way: If Beilein could make an ideal system player, he'd grab some clay and whatever else people make things with and craft T.J. Leaf, a 6'9", 210-pound California kid with handles like a point guard. 

Leaf is part of the growing trend of do-all bigs. They're not just tall guys who take up space. They're tall guys who use space, as in the entire floor, to get their buckets. Out of all of Michigan's targets, I like Leaf the best. He's built for Beilein's frontcourt. 

The 5-star power forward is the No. 15-ranked player in the upcoming class. 

According to Dylan Burkhardt's UMHoops.com report from the summer, he enjoyed his visit to Michigan and believes in Beilein's ability to develop athletes, particularly tall, lanky dudes.

"

RT @FullTimeHoops1 Michigan HC John Beilein is watching Foothills Christian/ Compton Magic F TJ Leaf this morning. @Compton_Magic @Tyleaf_22

— Dylan Burkhardt (@umhoops) September 12, 2014"

Derryck Thornton's Crossover and Distribution Would Be Valuable

Derryck Thornton is the No. 2-ranked point guard of 2016, and he has "warmer" interest in Michigan, according to 247Sports. Maybe he's not such a "wish-lister" after all. It seems like he likes the Wolverines. 

But Kentucky visited him on Sept. 15. John Calipari is a savvy recruiter, and it's often a done deal once he locks onto a player. 

But don't give up on Thornton, a 6'2", 165-pounder out of Findlay Prep in Nevada. He's not Cal's yet. He's already made an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor and could decide soon.

"

RT “@umhoops: New UM Hoops: Five-star point guard Derryck Thornton Jr. ‘loves’ Michigan, considering early decision http://t.co/mYedJaeG0F”

— Maize Rage (@UMMaizeRage) June 12, 2014"

Beilein's had great point men in the past. Thornton would only add to the position's legacy. He could be revered much in the same way as Trey Burke. He's that good.

Win the War for Tyus Battle

Tyus Battle, a 6'6", 190-pounder out of New Jersey, is the No. 4-ranked shooting guard in the country and No. 13-ranked player nationally. If Beilein whiffs on Josh Jackson, Battle would be a more than suitable option. 

Battle has hops. He has a jumper. He can defend. 

He has hops! Wait, that was already mentioned. 

According to 247Sports, Michigan is one of three schools for which Battle has "warmer" interest. Syracuse and Duke are the others. 

But it seems as if the Gill St. Bernard phenom is more than willing to entertain offers. He unofficially visited Michigan in June but has made unofficial stops at Louisville, UConn (the defending national champion), Kentucky and, among others, Villanova. 

This one could take some time. But the fact that Michigan is among the perceived top three isn't bad for Beilein, who just visited Battle:

"

#Michigan Basketball Recruiting: John Beilein visiting 5* shooting guard Tyus Battle today http://t.co/sUJpOXS4cU

— Maize n Brew (@MaizenBrew) September 15, 2014"

"

Tyus Battle met with Rutgers coach Eddie Jordan at the PSU football game http://t.co/82SpmCXemx

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) September 16, 2014"

Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports.

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