Major Michigan Basketball Transfer Target To Take Official Visit

Things are beginning to sound better and better between Michigan and its big target.

Michigan basketball entered July with two open scholarships for the 2023-24 season and options were dwindling. 

But after West Virginia and Bob Huggins divorced, some Mountaineers started to hit the transfer portal -- including 6-foot-5 guard Jose Perez. As soon as Perez entered the portal there were multiple schools after him like Michigan, Gonzaga, Oregon, and California. But there has been reported mutual interest between the Wolverines and Perez for some time and it sounded like there may be a swift resolution.

But it's not going to be super swift. On Tuesday, it became official Perez would be taking an official visit to Michigan, but it won't come until July 28 weekend. 

West Virginia transfer Jose Perez will take an official visit to Michigan from July 28-30.

— Trilly Donovan (@trillydonovan) July 11, 2023

Why so late you ask? We are in the dead period of recruiting, but that period ends on July 28 when visits to campus are allowed again. Which sounds extremely promising for Michigan if that's going to be the first -- maybe only -- official Perez takes. 

Perez started his career in 2018-19 at Gardner-Webb where he played two seasons and averaged 15.1 and 15.2 points per game. He then transferred to Marquette where he saw limited playing time and transferred once again, this time to Manhattan College. He averaged 18.9 points per game in 2021-22 and was First-Team All-MAAC. He hoped to play for Bob Huggins and West Virginia last season, but his waiver was denied for immediate eligibility. But since he is a graduate transfer, he will have immediate eligibility heading into 2023. 

Perez is an interesting player. He's 6-foot-5 but isn't much of a 3-point shooter -- he averaged under 29% from deep the past three seasons he played. During his three years he was the 'man' at Gardner-Webb and Manhatten he averaged putting up 12-to-15 shots per game, so he likes to get to the rim and score. He has the ability to rebound (nearly five rebounds per game) and can dish the rock when needed (averages over four assists per game).

If Juwan Howard can lock him in at Michigan, the Wolverines could play him in a variety of ways. Of course, he can play either guard position, but with his size, Michigan could slide him into the '3' or '4' if needed.