2020 5-star C Walker Kessler includes Michigan in top 6

One of Michigan basketball’s biggest recruiting targets in the 2020 class is 5-star center Walker Kessler. He was being recruited heavily by John Beilein, and is now getting the same treatment from Juwan Howard.

Kessler’s top six schools were announced Friday morning, and the Wolverines made the cut.

Duke, North Carolina, Auburn, Gonzaga and Cal made the list alongside Michigan.

The 6-foot-10, 225-pounder from Fairburn, Georgia is the No. 16 overall player in his class and the No. 4 center, according to 247Sports’ composite.

As of today, 70 percent of the crystal ball is in for Duke, with another 20 percent being old picks for Georgia. The other 10 percent is undecided.

This is a huge development in Michigan’s recruitment of Kessler. With the staff changes made over the last couple months, it is big for the Wolverines to still be on the top list for a prospect of Kessler’s caliber. He would be a massive recruiting win for Howard and company, especially given the 2019-20 season will be the last with Jon Teske.

Kessler visited Ann Arbor back in November, but that was obviously with Beilein still around. Howard needs to get him back on campus once more if they want any chance to land him.