Defend the Block: Newcomer Houstan Ready to Display His Versatility
7/28/2021 9:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Features
On this week's edition of the "Defend the Block" podcast, we begin to introduce fans to the incoming freshman class for Michigan men's basketball. Caleb Houstan is first up, as he reflects on his experience with Team Canada in the U19 World Cup, breaks down his recruiting process and his decision to come to Michigan, dissects the key aspects of his game, and answers a handful of non-basketball questions.
By Brian Boesch
Michigan men's basketball must replace significant production from last season's Big Ten championship team, with the wing position experiencing the biggest changes. Thursday's NBA Draft will show just how much the Wolverines have lost, as Franz Wagner is expected by many to be a lottery pick, while Isaiah Livers and Chaundee Brown Jr. also are hoping to hear their names called.
Fortunately for the Wolverines, the top-ranked recruit in their top-ranked recruiting class happens to be a wing. Caleb Houstan, a consensus top-10 recruit nationally, arrived in Ann Arbor earlier this month after leading Team Canada to a bronze medal in the FIBA U19 World Cup. Houstan started all seven games and paced the team with 17 points per game as Canada earned just its second-ever World Cup medal.
Thanks to his time with Team Canada, along with his three seasons at powerhouse Montverde Academy in Florida, Houstan has played around some incredible talent and had to frequently adapt to different teammates. Those experiences are invaluable as he joins a loaded Michigan roster heading into his first collegiate experience.
"I think it makes me versatile. I'm ready for really any situation," Houstan said on this week's edition of the "Defend the Block" podcast. "I can take advice on how I can improve my game and what the team needs and stuff like that, so I think it definitely makes me versatile and ready to come into different situations that other people might not be able to."
Houstan did enjoy watching Michigan in recent years, both before and after he verbally committed. He was drawn to Wagner and Livers' games for several reasons.
"With Isaiah, I just think I like the way he scored and the way he shot the ball, attacked the rim," Houstan said. "Franz, obviously, a really good two-way player, can defend really well, and I really saw how he attacked the closeouts really hard to get by his man and get downhill."
Not only was there a logical on-court fit for Houstan in Ann Arbor, but he enjoyed the off-the-court vibe he received from head coach Juwan Howard and the entire staff.
"Outside of basketball, it's really the family part for me," Houstan said. "They really made it seem like it was a family, and that's a big thing to me."
When the Wolverines open their season in November, Houstan will be at a college basketball game for the first time in his life. The pandemic-related recruiting changes, coupled with his growing up in Canada, prevented Houstan from experiencing a college basketball atmosphere. That night will be special for everyone in the building, with the expectation that full crowds can return to Crisler Center, but especially for Houstan.
"It's going to be crazy -- the first time, with all the people in the stands and everyone going crazy -- so I'm definitely excited."
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