Michigan coach John Beilein speaks highly of center Austin Davis

Early in the season, Michigan coach John Beilein made the choice to redshirt U-M’s freshman center Austin Davis. However, Beilein now wishes he would not have made that decision.

“He’s really good, that’s all I’m going to tell you,” Beilein said to the media on Tuesday. “I wish I knew what I know now.”

The 6-foot-10, 240-pound center committed to Michigan as a three-star prospect from Onsted Community High School (MI). He was ranked No. 176 in the 2016 class, according to 247Sports Composite. He was the 23rd-best at his position and the No. 4 ranked player from the state of Michigan.

Since the Wolverines already had big-men Moritz Wagner, Mark Donnal, John Teske, Beilein decided to redshirt Davis for the 2016-17 season. Beilein originally thought Davis was not ready for college basketball.

"In the middle of January, it all started slowing down," Beilein said. "Guys just throw him the ball and he puts it in. There's no drama, there's no Kardashians. The ball is in. The ball goes in."

Beilein stated that Davis will be a key factor for the Wolverines next season. Michigan will lose Donnal, but will still have Wagner, Teske, and even 6-foot-11 forward D.J. Wilson. The minutes will be there, but Davis will have to work for them.

"We've all seen it since day one, since open gym, he came in and he has a great feel for the game," Wilson said. "He's long, athletic for his size. He has great hands, can finish well around the basket. I think, right now, he's playing freely on the scout team and he has a lot of confidence. That's just elevating his game to a whole other level. You can see great glimpses from him."

Davis averaged 25.3 points and 14.3 rebounds per game at Onsted Community High School.