Michigan Basketball Recruiting: What Moritz Wagner Would Bring to Wolverines

During this past fall, Moritz Wagner was likely beginning to plot the next steps of his basketball journey. He’s always wanted to attend college—and Michigan is among his top choices—but he also has the option of signing with a professional team in Europe once he turns 18 on April 26.

However, before setting a definite course for a new destination, the 6’10”, 200-pound German sensation will likely thoroughly explore options, according to Berliner-Zeitung (via UM Hoops’ Dylan Burkhardt).

This past Saturday, Wagner visited the Crisler Center and watched the Wolverines end their regular season with a 79-69 win over Rutgers. The lanky and versatile prospect could easily be the recipient of coach John Beilein’s lone scholarship for 2015.

With that said, Saturday was most likely Max Bielfeldt’s final game with Michigan. After the win, the senior forward said that he wouldn’t rule out staying at Michigan, but he also said that transferring to finish his eligibility was a distinct possibility.

The bottom line is that Biefeldt’s spot will probably be open next year—and Wagner could fill that spot, giving Beilein a much-needed boost in the paint and on the boards.

Statistically, the Wolverines were the worst rebounding team in the Big Ten this season, finishing No. 14 in total margin (minus-3.3). They had the No. 14-ranked rebounding offense and No. 10-ranked rebounding defense in the league, too.

Adding insult to injury, they finished dead last in blocked shots, averaging a paltry 1.7 per game.

Again, Wagner is 6’10”, incredibly agile, long-limbed and aggressive. He could essentially evolve into another T.J. Leaf, who was one of Beilein’s biggest targets before committing to Arizona’s 2016 class. Leaf and Wagner represent the type of player Beilein wants to add to the mix of Ricky Doyle, Mark Donnal and D.J. Wilson.

At 6’9” and 245 pounds, Doyle, who has bowling balls for shoulders, brings the physical angle. He just has to perfect his technique.

Donnal is roughly the same height and weight as Doyle, but he’s built a bit leaner. His game is slightly different too—he’s more of an inside-outside guy, whereas Doyle is leaning toward inside-inside.

Wilson redshirted this past season, but once healthy, the 6’9”, 220-pounder will provide athleticism comparable to that of Wagner and Leaf.

Pairing Wagner with Wilson, Donnal and Doyle would give Beilein the best of everything up front. The need for a Wagner-like addition is necessary if Beilein’s forwards and centers are to take the next step in competitive development.

Do-alls at the 3, 4 and 5 have changed college basketball. Teams either get with the times or get beaten by guys like Wagner, who, according to European Prospects, excels in each of the aforementioned disciplines:

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He can shoot from outside, either on catch-and-shoot situations or in the Pick and Pop when being the screener. Wagner can also put the ball on the floor which works particularly well when used against taller power forwards. He is also able to drive with direction changes and finish against stronger or taller players in the paint. Athletically, he is looking good and with his overall length, he is a good vertical presence on both sides of the court. Wagner really needs to be used on the wing positions in the future as he has the tools to become an interesting long small forward in the future. It will be interesting to see if ALBA can do this as they will lack some inside presence in the next generations of their NBBL roster so that Wagner risks to be used as a pure PF or even center next season.

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The scouting report provides a bit of reassurance. But watching a few minutes of his highlight footage says a lot more than “interesting” prospect ever could.

While in the post, Wagner appears to have one thing on his mind: Get to the basket. He has moves, but he doesn’t waste a lot of energy. Point A to Point B is the quickest route, and Wagner’s flying left-handed layup is quite the connector.

With Aubrey Dawkins, Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Spike Albrecht, Derrick Walton Jr. and (maybe?) Caris LeVert returning next season, the Wolverines will have plenty of offensive and defensive prowess at the guard positions. Beilein will have the complete package.

Wagner wouldn’t only complete the forward/center position, he’d complete Beilein’s roster.

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

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer.