What's Done Is Done

Yante Maten is leaving the state.

Bloomfield Hills' two-time all-state boys basketball pick and maybe the No. 1 post player in the Mitten signed with Georgia this weekend.

It's really a shame for local college hoop fans. He should have landed in the Big 10 at Michigan or Michigan State.

But neither program recruited him that hard. That's also a shame, because this kid is BLUE CHIP all the way (finishing his prep career last month with one of the most decimating statistical stretches in the paint in the playoffs this area has seen in quite a while, navigating the Black Hawks into the Class A state championship game).

Michigan never offered. MSU put out what I consider a half-hearted offer at the very tail end of Maten's recruitment period last week (strictly PR in my opinion).

Although the numbers and the victories were prolific (3 district, 2 league, one regional crown, the state's Gatorade POY for 2014), the Big Boys in-state don't view him as a surefire standout at the next level. I think that's a mistake. I see very little bust potential...worst case scenario you'll get an excellent glue guy (think Jordan Morgan, Jon Horford), best case, you have a multi-year starter on the blocks who's getting you 10-to-15 a night in points and 6-to-8 boards.

Nonetheless, Maten is now a Bulldog and I think it's a solid fit. TEAM IZZO AND TEAM BEILEIN could be seriously regretting their collective lack of interest a short few years from now. I know no matter what, this cage gem will be going all SIR-GRIND-A-LOT down in Athens for the foreseeable future, that's a certified BURNEY GUARANTEE. However, I can't help but wonder what he'd look like in the Green and White or Maize and Blue come November though. Pretty darn snazzy, if you ask me!!