ESPN.com released updated national rankings for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 classes this afternoon. The 2013 list was expanded to 100 prospects, 2014 expanded to 60 players and a preliminary top 25 list was released for the class of 2015.

Several Michigan commitments and targets ranked favorably in ESPN’s refresh and we’ve compiled many of the notable rankings below.

2013 Top 100

39. Derrick Walton, 6-0, G, Chandler Park Academy (MI)
61. Zak Irvin, 6-5, G, Hamilton Southeastern (IN)
65. Mark Donnal, 6-8, F,  Anthony Wayne (OH)
67. Reggie Cameron, 6-7, F, Hudson Catholic (NJ)
75. Jaren Sina, 6-2, G, Gll St. Bernard’s (NJ)

2014 Top 60

9. Justin Jackson, 6-6, F, Homeschool Christian (TX)
10. Cliff Alexander, 6-9, C, Chicago Curie (IL)
17. Kevon Looney, 6-7, F, Milwaukee Hamilton (WI)
24. Devin Booker, 6-4, G, Moss Point (MS)
45. Keita Bates-Diop, 6-7, PF, University (IL)
50. Bryant McIntosh, 6-4, G, Greensburg (IN)
54. Jae’Sean Tate, 6-3, F, Pickerington Central (OH)

2015 Top 25

1. Karl Towns, 6-11, C, St. Joseph (NJ)
12. Hyron Edwards, 5-11, G, East Chicago Central (IN)
14. Jalen Coleman, 6-2, G, Indianapolis Cathedral (IN)
24. Trevor Manuel, 6-9, F, Lansing Sexton (MI)

Darius Morris raised some eyebrows a year ago when he made the decision to enter the NBA Draft, forgoing his final two years of eligibility at Michigan. The California native was drafted in the second round by the Lakers, made the team and appeared in 19 games while averaging 2.4 points and 1.1 assists in 8.9 minutes of action per contest. Morris sat down with Lakers media on Wednesday to discuss his rookie year and what the future holds.

Additional video clips and some assorted quotes after the jump.

Quotes from Lakers.com

- On his meeting with Mitch Kupchak and Mike Brown: “We talked about how much they thought I improved over the season in terms of my game, physically and mentally. It was very encouraging. My mindset, maturity definitely changed over the course of the year. In terms of on the court, just an adjustment to the NBA game.”

- Morris described how crazy and at times difficult it was to go through the lockout as a rookie, being unable to communicate with the team after getting drafted, then having such a short training camp, trade rumors at his position and so on. Then he went from being inactive to suddenly active once Steve Blake got injured in January, and back to the bench with Blake’s return after 13 games. Morris felt like he grew a lot mentally from going through the wild season.

- On Summer League in Vegas: “I think Summer League will be big for me. I think certain teams like me in the draft, but I’ve gotten way better since then. It’ll be a good experience for me, a good opportunity.” He’s right. He’ll get a chance to show how much he improved over the season and what he added to his game. Morris came out early from the University of Michigan, leaving after his sophomore season, and thus is one of the NBA’s youngest players at 21. As such, “potential” is still a word associated with him, but he will be able to showcase his skills against the other young players around the league for two weeks in Vegas.

- While discussing his future, Morris mentioned the importance of being with a team where you think you can play. Of course he loves it in L.A., where he grew up, but seems open to pursuing the best situation for him.

- Morris said that Mike Brown informed him that it’s “not impossible” for him to get playing time next season. “It’s basically up to me to come in ready,” he said. One thing he’s focused on is being able to play both guard positions, as Steve Blake often did in the playoffs. The first step, however, is Summer League.

- On what he wants to work on: “Being on the bench and watching a lot of top point guards, you learn a lot of little tricks. I want to work on those things … watch a lot of film and study a lot of people’s games. A lot of people are gifted and talent so watching film of everybody will help me, especially the point guards.”

- Morris on Kobe Bryant: “I picked up a lot, more because of the friendship we developed. I didn’t expect us to be as close as we got, but it happened, and just seeing him at practice I really observed him a lot. You can’t take it for granted you’re going to always play with one of the best people to ever play the game. His preparation, his focus, the way he goes about his business. Off the court we became good friends and he continues to teach me a lot of stuff.” Kobe was the biggest role model for Morris throughout the season, though he also mentioned Metta World Peace, and how great a teammate he is, how willing he is to help everybody regardless of status on the team. World Peace constantly encouraged his teammates, and tried to keep the team together whenever arguments would rise, something Lamar Odom used to do.

-On the Lakers culture: “It was a great place for me to get introduced to the league, because of the winning basketball. (You learn) just (how to) value a possession. Elsewhere, they probably are not worried about playing playoff basketball, which is different. A shot you might take in the regular season, you might not take in the playoffs. I heard a lot of (our) veterans talking about that. With tempo, defense, you have to start stepping (it all) up. There were definitely a lot of things I learned just being on a championship caliber team.”

On having his fellow second round pick rookie Andrew Goudelock with him:“It made it a lot easier, you didn’t feel like you were alone. It was good to have someone there to be encouraging, and likewise for him. Just for us to go through that whole phase together was awesome.” The two rookies played a ton of 1-on-1 and shooting games, with Goudelock taking the shooting contests (though Morris said it got closer later in the season) and Morris winning more 1-on-1 action.

College coaches weren’t on the road and there wasn’t a Nike EYBL event but the spring and summer basketball circuit never sleeps. There were still plenty of regional tournaments and shoe camps to

Derrick Walton Shines at Ohio Super 16

2013 point guard commitment Derrick Walton continued his strong spring. ESPN’s John Stovall watched Walton at the All-Oho Super 16 in Columbus and named him as a standout player at the event.

Walton is a smooth scoring point guard who is an effective shooter to 20 feet. He is a solid shooter who is good at freeing himself for drives into the paint. Walton is also a very good passer and could be the heir apparent to Trey Burke at Michigan.

ESPN also updated Walton’s player profile with the following bottom line:

Walton Jr. Is a true point guard the can control the game with his ability to push the ball and deliver it to open teammates and run the show. He is good scorer and when in ryrthum can drop big numbers. As he adds strength and makes his jumper a consistent weapon he will be even more productive. Walton is tough, competes and has great upside.

After the general panic when Trey Burke flirted with the NBA Draft this spring, John Beilein and his staff have to be thankful that Walton continues to improve and should be ready to play meaningful minutes when he sets foot in Ann Arbor.

Mitch McGary in Brewster Alumni Game

Mitch McGary participated in the Brewster Academy Alumni game (which also featured Kyrie Irving) and played about how you would expect anyone to play in an alumni all-star game. But it’s Mitch McGary so there’s video:

Jae’Sean Tate Searching for Position

We’ve profiled Tate in recent weeks and the talented 2014 Ohio native put together a big weekend at the All-Ohio Super 16. Both Triple Double Prospects and ESPN were impressed with the do-it-all forward’s game.

Triple Double Prospects:

Jae’sean Tate – SF/PF All Ohio: Game-changing athlete with toughness that is continuing to improve his skill set and offensive IQ. Versatile player that right now is near impossible to match up with as he plays with effort, athleticism, length, and can dominate you with power. Tate has emerged this spring as a player that is being recruited heavily at the mid-high major level.

ESPN:

It’s tough to put Tate at a specific position because he plays SG/SF/PF. Regardless, he is a good scorer, rebounder and defender who gives tremendous effort. He simply makes plays and wins games.

Keita Bates-Diop Visits Illinois

Keita Bates-Diop has emerged as one of Michigan’s primary 2014 targets and is a likely candidate for an early Wolverine offer on June 15th. The 6-foot-7 outside-inside forward recently too a visit to Illinois and recapped his trip to Chicago Hoops.com

“When we first got there we talked in his office and they showed me a video on the team. Then we took a golf cart around campus and talked about things like the buildings and stuff. After that Coach Groce showed me their style of play in a video and on the court.”

“The energy that they brought, especially Coach Groce. They’re all fun guys to be around

Bates-Diop is expected to attend Michigan’s College Practice Camp in June and is also eyeing visits to Purdue and Louisville ($).

More Notes

• Devin Booker 29th, Keita Bates-Diop 40, Vince Edwards 57, Drake Harris 65, Trevon Bluiett 68 in updated Scout 2014 rankings
• Zak Irvin wasn’t with the Eric Gordon All-Stars last weekend because he picked up a prestigious invite to the Adidas Nations training camp in Las Vegas over the weekend.
• Trevon Bluiett was offered by Illinois on Tuesday, he also recently picked up an offer from Notre Dame. A Michigan offer is extremely likely on June 15th for the talented Indiana wing.
• Ohio State offered 2015 guard Luke Kennard. Kennard is one of Michigan’s top 2015 prospects on the board – although John Beilein won’t offer 2015 prospects until June 15th, 2013 – and had kind things to say about the Wolverines in a recent Scout interview. ($)
• Drake Harris took an unofficial visit to Ohio State after participating in the All-Ohio Super 16 in Columbus over the weekend.

Michigan has been in hot pursuit of 2013 combo forward Reggie Cameron this spring. The 6-foot-8 New Jersey native has emerged as one of the top perimeter shooters on the summer circuit and is eyeing a potential Michigan visit this summer. We’ve spoken with Cameron quite a bit but the video footage available on the internet has been limited. The Basketball Diary posted video footage from several of Cameron’s games at the Nike IS8 Spring Tournament in Queens, NY from April and we’ve compiled two games worth of footage into the following scouting video:

More on Reggie Cameron

• Reggie Cameron talks new interest, summer plans
• This Weekend at the Nike EYBL: Dallas
• This Weekend at the Nike EYBL: Hampton, VA
• This Weekend at the Nike EYBL: Minnesota
• Q&A: 2013 forward Reggie Cameron talks Michigan, recruiting

Jalen Rose talks Fab Five, banners and more at last week’s Mott Hospital fundraiser.

“I think it was unnecessary. Flagrant. Defiant,” Rose told The News during the Griese-Hutchinson-Woodson golf fundraiser for Mott Hospital last weekend. “But it was honest, and I respect that. If they choose not to embrace the Fab Five era, if they choose not to embrace us individually or as a team or the things we brought to the table, I really have no bitterness. I’m not mad at it.

“What’s going to happen, though? … When you turn your back directly or indirectly on something that was so good to you, you’re never going to get the true foundation of a program to build upon.”

Karl Towns is a 6-foot-11 phenom from New Jersey in the class of 2015 who is being recruited by a who’s who of college basketball powerhouses. Towns is extremely versatile and can distribute the ball as well as score and rebound. Michigan is in the running for the talented forward and has some unique connections to the youngster, and we caught up with Towns last night to discuss his recruitment.

Can you describe your game?

“I think I would describe my game to them more as an outside, versatile player who can play any position the coach wants me to. I just think that altogether I’m just a workhouse who trys to show everyone I can do whatever they want and at the same time I can play any position at a high level.”

Who’s recruiting you?

“Michigan is always up there, Rutgers, Kentucky, Ohio State, Texas, Duke, Florida, Seton Hall, North Carolina.”

Any offers yet?

“It’s so wild right now, I’m not really looking at the offers, just seeing what schools are interested in me.”

Do you have a list?

“It’s so early in the recruiting process that I’m open to everybody and all the schools are on my map. But I always liked Michigan when I was a child, so I always root behind big Blue.”

What kind of things are you looking for in a school?

“I’m looking for a great academic program, a great basketball program, obviously, and at the same time a great tradition and a community where I can really see myself fitting in and helping other people.”

It’s been reported that you’re a pretty big Michigan fan. Can you tell me how that came about?

“It’s funny because when I was younger I was always a big video game fan and my dad brought me up on video games and that’s how my sports fetish started, with all the video games. Living in a sports-filled house, with my sister playing basketball and my dad being a coach and my mom being supportive of all of us, I always used to play a lot of college football games. But I never used to have the money to buy all the new ones every year, so I actually had one for a good few years and I just rolled with it. In the game I would always play as Michigan because I could beat my dad with the team, and ever since then every Michigan team has just followed me everywhere I went. Ever since then I’ve kept up with Michigan football all the time and I kept up with basketball, too. When I was younger my dad always told me about the Fab Five and would watch movies about all of them: Chris Webber, Jalen Rose and all the freshmen. It was just a dream of mine to show my dad that I could be a part of that kind of team of freshmen and the tradition there at Michigan.”

How much of an impact does being a Michigan fan have on your recruitment?

“Being a Michigan fan has definitely impacted my recruitment, but at the same time I have to look at the big picture and do what’s best for my family and me and at the end of the day I know a lot about Michigan history but I’ve never really been there. I’ll have to take a visit and see how God works and how that goes for me.”

So you watch a lot of Michigan basketball, then?

“Well, I watch Tim Hardaway Jr. Actually, I always play NBA 2k12 with my friends and they always talk about how I play with the old school players and I always play with his dad Timmy Hardaway. They’re always talking about how great his son is, how he’s one of the best guards in the country. You know, it’d be cool to play with him.”

Which coaches from Michigan have been talking to you?

“Lavall Jordan, Coach Beilein and everyone is just doing a great job. It makes me really want to visit the school it’s just so hard because there’s just a lot I have to do right now. I’m trying out for the Dominican National U19 Team so it’s just a hard thing.”

Have the coaches been to any of your games this summer?

“I think they saw me play AAU in Pittsburgh.”

Can you tell me some strengths of your game?

“My dad taught me how to be a guard, so I’ve worked really hard to be a good passer and to have a good jumpshot so I could have the ability to stretch the floor out a lot. A lot of people see me and think I’m more of a post-up player than a 3-point player, so I use that always to my advantage.”

How has the AAU season gone so far?

“It’s gone really well. You finish with the high school season, and you just can’t wait to get on the court. Mostly I’m just using this time to make myself better, to be an even better player. I’ve always been really skinny so I’ve been trying to get bigger and take conditioning seriously and doing everything to get bigger and become a better player.”

Are you planning on visiting Michigan any time soon?

“Soon, I am, but I don’t know when I’m going to. Maybe next year I’ll be able to come down for a nice visit.”

There was no hesitation in Reggie Cameron‘s voice.

“Yes sir,” the class of 2013 New Jersey native responded when asked if he was the best shooter in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League. Only 10 players have scored more points than the 6-foot-8 combo forward through the first 14 games in Nike’s prestigious summer league. Cameron has filled up the scoring column, knocking down 44 triples in 14 games, and has led his NJ Playaz squad to a tie at the top of its division.

“I think I’ve played really well [so far this spring]. I’ve shot the ball great from three so far and our team is 9-5 and first in our pool,” he said. “I’ve started to rebound a lot better as the EYBL has gone on and I think I’m getting better [overall] as the season goes.”

Improvement has started on the defensive end of the floor for Cameron.

“I think I’m in a lot better shape,” he said. “Moving my feet and stuff like that. I think I’ve gotten better defensively and showing people that I can rebound better than they think I can.”

Despite individual improvement and developing into a leader on one of the top AAU teams in the country, Cameron wasn’t ready to take credit for stepping up in a primary role for the NJ Playaz.

“I don’t think about it at all. When you’re in the heat of battle during a game you really don’t worry about stuff like that,” he said. “You’re just trying to win and do whatever your team needs you to do to win.

His strong performance didn’t go unnoticed as their first two sessions of the EYBL were open for college coaches to evaluate. Cameron listed Oklahoma, Harvard, North Carolina and Minnesota as some of the new schools to express interest as they joined Michigan, Seton Hall, Florida, West Virginia, Miami, DePaul, Cincinnati, Xavier, Rutgers, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Clemson, Providence and Villanova on his already lengthy list.

When North Carolina comes calling, it’s safe to say that you’ve played well in front of college coaches. Cameron reported that the Tar Heel staff will keep a close eye on him during the July evaluation period.

“[North Carolina coaches] just said that I’ve played well when they saw me play. They said they’re going to keep an eye on me and how I progress. They are going to come watch me at the Peach Jam then give me a call and we’ll go from there.”

Florida and West Virginia are two more recent offers for Cameron. Cameron’s high school coach at Hudson Catholic, Nick Mariniello, has connections to West Virginia from previous experience coaching former Mountaineer Da’Sean Butler.

“[West Virginia] is a great school. Coach Huggins is obviously one of the best coaches in the country and my high school coach coached Da’Sean Butler who went to West Virginia and he said he had a really great experience there.”

Butler started his career under John Beilein, and Cameron reported that Mariniello had nothing but positives to share about Beilein and his coaching ability.

“[Mariniello] said Beilein is a great guy. He gets the best out of his players and he’s a great guy. He runs a great system and you definitely win when you go play for him”

Despite the lengthy list, Cameron was clear to state that “all schools are pretty much even” and didn’t want to give away any favorites or mention that any particular schools were recruiting him harder than others.

John Beilein watched Cameron work out in April before the live period and watched him again in Minnesota for the first session of the Nike EYBL. Bacari Alexander has also been a mainstay at Cameron’s games on the EYBL circuit. The Wolverine coaches haven’t been shy in letting Cameron know how much they like his game.

“They love the way I play,” he said. “I talked to coach Beilein after the first EYBL session in Minnesota and he said that he loved the way I played and he thought I played great. He said I’m what they are looking for at Michigan and I was invited to their [College Practice Camp] camp up in June.”

Michigan’s College Practice Camp takes place on June 9th, the same weekend Cameron’s NJ Playaz AAU team is schedule to play a New York City AAU event, the Rumble in the Bronx.

“I’m trying to get out there [for camp] but I’m not sure if I can yet,” he said. “I’m going to try to but we have Rumble in the Bronx that weekend here in New York City so I’m not sure if I can make it.”

John Beilein doesn’t offer scholarships before prospects visit campus but Cameron was confident that a visit to Ann Arbor is likely to coincide with a scholarship offer from the Michigan staff.

The AAU season slows down after the last EYBL session in Oakland, CA next weekend but Cameron will stay busy. Invitations for the Nike Skills Academies and other national camps are expected to be announced during the next several weeks while Cameron also reported that he will attempt to take unofficial visits during the June months.

Cameron hopes to trim his list in August after the end of the live July evaluation period.

“I’d like to narrow things down right before schools starts – when AAU ends probably toward the middle or end of August,” he said. “I’d like to cut my list down and then hopefully make a decision by November.”

In part two of our in depth question & answer session with Mitch McGary he discusses when he knew he was ready to commit to Michigan, his relationship with Glenn Robinson III, his future number in Ann Arbor and the best advice he’s ever received. Make sure to read part one here. 

When you decided to go to Michigan, do you remember what exactly spurred your decision to commit?

“It’s difficult. Last summer, I think in August, I narrowed my list down to Michigan, North Carolina, Duke, Kentucky, Maryland and Florida. I told that to the press, but actually my main three were Florida, Michigan and Duke. At that point, when I took my visit to Michigan, I decided I wanted to go there. Unless Duke or North Carolina have something better than this, I might as well go there. But I didn’t think anything was better than Michigan. Just being on campus, meeting the coaching staff, the whole team, everything was great. I would say as soon as I took my visit, I knew I was going. I just wanted to wait it out a little bit. I’m happy I’m going there now.”

Obviously you and Glenn Robinson III are really good friends. Have you gotten to know other members of the 2012 class?

“Spike, or Mike, whatever you guys call him — his name’s Mike, but everyone’s calling him Spike, and I guess that’s what we’re going to call him now — he and Glenn and I all grew up playing against each other. Spike plays out in Massachusetts close to me and we played them during this year. When we had public school together, we played in the same conference along with Glenn. I remember in fourth and fifth grade, Spike was on Crown Point and I was on Chesterton for AAU our teams would always go at it and be the best two teams in the area. I just remember growing up, I never would have thought we’d both be on the same team going to Michigan. I know him pretty well. I’ve met Nik a couple times and he seems like a really good kid and an even better athlete. I’ve watched him play a few times and he’s something special. I’m happy we’re going to be on the same team together. He can really play. The newest commit, Caris, I’ve never met him. I watched a couple videos on him. He looks a little skinny to me, but that’s what college is for. He looks like a player.”

Previous ‘Getting to Know’ Features: Nik Stauskas / Glenn Robinson III

How much of an influence did Glenn play in your decision to come to Michigan?

“Glenn, to me, he wasn’t recruiting me. He would mention stuff about Michigan and he would say things like how excited he was to go and how happy he was to be committed. He didn’t recruit me, though, he was just being a great friend and that’s what I’ve always loved about Glenn. Nothing got between us during my recruitment. All throughout my recruitment we played on the same AAU team for three years and we were really great friends. I don’t know if there’s a better one-two duo, besides he and I, that I would rather play with. He’s probably one of my favorite players to play with and always will be. I think just knowing have someone there who’ll be by my side so we can always push each other, that was one of the key things.”

When did you move out East?

“That was the fall of 2010, so the start of my senior year.”

What went into that decision?

“If I had stayed in public school, I would have had to have gone to a prep school next year if I wanted to go D-I, or else I would have had to play Junior College for two years. At first my parents thought I should go after my senior year and stay at home for that year, but I wanted to get adapted and just be out here. I liked it at the start, but now it’s just kind of boring. Our team won the national championship this year and last year, we lost only three games all year. I’ve only lost four games here, so I’m glad I came out here. I’ve got my grades up, and now I’m qualified.”

How was the ball at Brewster different than the ball in Indiana?

“I don’t want to diss on my hometown, but just the intensity in practice was different. Basically, Brewster is like your freshman year of college. It’s like a redshirt season. Most of the players who come here are high-major prospects. so basically the intensity in practice is much higher than it was in my hometown public school. In games, I’m facing people like Andre Drummond and Nerlens Noel, all these high-profile players. It’s good to get exposure that way but it’s also good to play against tougher opponents and work on your game. I think it was better overall basketball-wise.”

Is there any NBA player who you try to emulate?

“A lot of people say I play like David Lee or Kevin Love, and I try to watch film on them and model my game after them. But my favorite player is Lamar Odom. I always try to be like him. I just have to get quicker and be a little more athletic and work on my handles, I guess. He was always my favorite player. I was kind of mad when he got traded to the Mavs, but what are you gonna do.”

Can you shoot 3′s like him?

“Well, nobody knew Kevin Love could shoot in college, and now in the NBA he’s shooting, like, 40 percent from beyond the arc. People don’t think I can, but that’s a good thing about my game. If you leave me open, I’m not going to say I’ll 100 percent knock it down, but I’ll take the shot. If I’m hitting, they have to step out on me and I’ll go right past them and do other things. I’ve been working on a few things and hopefully I can further my skills at Michigan.”

What went into your decision to wear number 4?

“My favorite numbers were 33 and 5. 33 has always been my favorite number, I always wore it in AAU and at Brewster. I always liked it because of Larry Bird, but Kareem wore it, Scottie Pippen wore it, a bunch of people wore it. That was taken because it was retired because it was Cazzie Russell’s number. They talked to him about doing a ceremony where he would give me the number, but we never really eased into it. My second choice was number 5, but a senior walk-on, Eso [Akunne] has it. I asked the coaches if he would let me wear it, but his mother wanted him to wear it and she had passed away and I respected that. I had talked to Glenn and Spike and they were going to wear 1 and 2, and with Trey Burke wearing number 3, I thought, well, Chris Webber wore it, why can’t I? I’m pretty excited about it. I’ve got some big shoes to fill.”

What’s your favorite movie?

“I’m a comedy guy, so I have to say Tommy Boy and Step Brothers. Chris Farley is hilarious.”

What was your favorite TV show growing up?

“ESPN, but everyone likes ESPN. Growing up, I used to like Spingebob a lot, Rugrats. I used to love Scooby-Doo as a kid.”

What kind of music do you listen to?

“I listen to everything pretty much, from alternative to rap. Not a lot of country. Usually before a game, something to get me hype. When I’m chillin’, something mellow, maybe some cool R&B or something, maybe a little country. Some T-Swift. Everyone loves Taylor Swift.”

Are you bringing any pre-game rituals to Michigan?

“Not really. Usually, I’m the hype man to my team and I get everyone pumped up, and I assume I’ll be that next year. If someone wants to be more hype than me, then so be it and that’s going to be awesome. But I’m pretty sure I’m going to be the most hype person on the team, getting everybody pumped. I’ve got a pretty crazy mentality when it comes to preparing for a game. I don’t do any special rituals. Maybe listen to some DMX, he’s my boy. ‘Where My Dogs At?,’ ‘X Gon Give It To Ya,’ to get pumped up. I translate that into getting my teammates pumped up. I just tell them to get ready for this game and we’re not going to lose because I hate to lose.”

Any idea of what you’ll study at Michigan?

“I’ve always liked finance. My mom has an accounting degree, and I’ve always liked math, so accounting could be something I like to do. I’ve always liked finance and I would love to be a financial adviser. As of right now, I’m not sure.”

When you’re not playing basketball, what are you most likely to be doing?

“I play a lot of Xbox.”

What do you play?

“Pretty much all of the Call of Duty’s, I play a lot of Need for Speed, racing games. Pretty much everything. It varies. I’ll play some 2K, here and there. I’m on my 2K right now. It’s boring out here, so I’ve got nothing else to do. Other than that, I usually just hang out with my friends or hang out with my girlfriend.”

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

“One of my coaches from when I was younger, he was one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. He would always try to knock me down. Not really, in the sense of telling me that I was bad, but he would tell me I couldn’t do stuff just to motivate me. Glenn feels the same way. I always say hater are my motivators. I know that sounds stupid, but I catch stuff on Twitter from people sometimes and I just tweet back and tell them thank you because that kind of thing really motivates me. I don’t mean to be a dick to them, but any time someone tells me I can’t do something, I just turn that negative energy into positive energy to drive me even more. The best thing someone could do is knock me down or criticize my game because that just means I’m gonna push even harder to prove them wrong.”

Read part one of our interview with Mitch McGary here.

Michigan’s 2012 and 2013 classes have been well regarded around Ann Arbor for quite some time. As the summer wears on the buzz about both Michigan’s incoming class of 2012 and next class of 2013 continues to grow. Several national media outlets have noted the promise of John Beilein’s recruiting efforts in recent days.

ESPN updated its class of 2012 team rankings and Michigan ranks 14th, third best in the Big Ten. Scout.com ranks Michigan’s class 9th nationally while Rivals.com last update had the Wolverines ranked 7th. Michigan landed three top 100 recruits by ESPN, Glenn Robinson III at No. 18 (5-star), Mitch McGary at No. 28 (4-star) and Nik Stauskas at No. 76 (4-star).

Yahoo Sports named Mitch McGary the Big Ten’s second best newcomer:

2. F/C Mitch McGary, Michigan
Particulars: 6-10/250, Fr.; 4-star recruit from Brewster (N.H.) Brewster Academy
Buzz: Michigan hasn’t really had a big bruiser in the low post of late, but McGary is that guy. He is a physical player who should provide Michigan with a much-needed inside presence. McGary’s passing skills make him a great fit for what Beilein likes to do on offense, and McGary is a good shooter from 15 feet in. Michigan has a proven group of perimeter players; McGary should complement them nicely.

McGary also earned a slot on Yahoo!’s preseason all-freshman team.

Midwestern ESPN scout Reggie Rankin graded the Wolverine class an ‘A’ overall and had plenty of positives to share when discussing the 2012 group:

Five-star small forward Glenn Robinson (St. John, Ind./Lake Central) is a high-wire act on the break with range to the arc and has continued to improve at a staggering rate. Power forward Mitch McGary (Chesterton, Ind./Brewster Academy) is a high-energy, physical post player who can rebound on both ends and score out to about 19 feet. Small forward Nik Stauskas (Mississauga, Canada/St. Mark’s School) is a perfect fit in coach John Beilein’s offense, thanks to his size, feel and deep range. Point guard Spike Albrecht (Crown Point, Ind./Northfield-Mt. Hermon School) is a smart lead guard who can run the team and get his teammates involved and makes good decisions. Albrecht, who came on board at the beginning of April, was insurance in case freshman All-American Trey Burke decided to leave for the NBA. With Burke staying, Albrecht will now provide depth in a backup role.

Scout.com updated its 2013 player rankings and a pair of Wolverine commitments moved up in the rankings. Derrick Walton sits at No. 48 while Mark Donnal sits at No. 80. Zak Irvin is not ranked but that’s to the chagrin of many knowledgeable Indiana experts including the Indianapolis Star’s Kyle Neddenriep.

Surprised Zak Irvin not listed in new Scout.com rankings for 2013.

— Kyle Neddenriep (@KyleNeddenriep) May 17, 2012

Despite Irvin not earning a spot in the Scout Top 100, he’ll be participating in the Adidas Nations Training Camp this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Five in, five out. The 2012-13 Michigan basketball roster isn’t short on talent but the fresh faces also bring new challenges. Namely, chemistry, a new playbook and a group of players that barely know each other, not to mention have chemistry on the basketball court.

Add in the fact that Michigan lost two extraordinary senior leaders, Zack Novak and Stu Douglass, to graduation and there’s plenty to accomplish before November. Not only does someone have to take over the leadership reins, they need to successfully blend Michigan’s seven returning and five incoming freshmen. John Beilein is well aware of the problems that lie ahead.

“Probably the biggest thing (we’ll work on this summer) is just the role of the leader,” Beilein said. “Team building will be done when they’re all here for the summer session."

While leadership will be at the forefront of the to-do list for upperclassmen like Tim Hardaway Jr., Jordan Morgan  and Matt Vogrich as well as for Trey Burke. Vogrich is the most tenured Wolverine, one of two seniors on the roster, while Hardaway and Morgan have both started over 60 games. Burke showed flashes of leadership as a freshman while leading Michigan in points and assists a season ago. He also picked up an endorsement from three year captain Zack Novak, who noted last season he was already attempting to groom Burke for the role.

“[Being a sophomore captain] is tough and it looks like next year we’re going to have that sophomore captain, I think at least,” Novak said. “So the biggest thing I’ve been doing this year is grooming [Burke] and making sure he’s ready.”

Unlike past seasons, Beilein and his staff will have the opportunity to cultivate the growth of his young team throughout the summer. New NCAA regulations allow two hours of skill work (and six hours of conditioning) for eight weeks while students are enrolled in summer classes.

With so much turnover from last year, this rule couldn’t have come at a better time for Michigan. Coaches will be allowed to work with the incoming freshmen and teach them things in July that in the past they may not have been able to teach until the fall.

“Will this summer be more important (than others)? No, but it will be important because we’ll find out about our team at an earlier stage,” Beilein said. “I mean, (in the past) we’ll go into October and we’re still figuring out if somebody can go to his right or left, or what their strengths are. This year, we should know that by the end of the summer.”

John Beilein’s system isn’t exactly one that you just learn overnight and he’ll ease his freshmen along.

“I think it will be different for different groups,” Beilein said. “The freshmen will have probably the pretty basic things — footwork, teaching our drills to them, accountability drills. And then we’ll probably splash in some offense or defense, whether it’s basic or team oriented. We’ve got to figure that out.”

Beilein’s to-do list is growing on a day-by-day basis, but this season, he and the coaching staff will have more time to work on that list than in years past. While Beilein has legitimate concerns about next year, he’s not necessarily worried about his true freshmen blending in.

“I’ve watched some of these (freshmen) for three years and some of them for three months,” Beilein said, “Just by early sense, I’ve seen they’re really good teammates and they will enhance team chemistry the minute they walk out here. They really have a great spirit about them.”

Summer workouts will benefit the Wolverines, along with every other Division I team, in what could have a similar but less exaggerated effect as Michigan’s trip to Europe two summers ago. The difference between organized skill workouts with the Michigan staff is night and day compared to the typical open gym workouts that have defined college basketball summer workouts for years.