2021 five-star U-M CG target Jalen Warley sets commitment date

Arguably Michigan basketball’s top guard target in the 2021 class, five-star Jalen Warley, announced on Twitter he will be making his commitment on Sunday, Aug. 9.

The programs listed as “warm” on his 247Sports profile include Michigan, Oregon, Virginia, Florida State, Memphis and Miami (FL). According to reports, the three teams pushing in this recruitment the hardest are Michigan, Virginia and Florida State.

Phil Martelli is leading the charge for Michigan for the 6-foot-4, 175-pounder from Norristown, Pennsylvania. Martelli and Warley’s family go back to Martelli’s days at St. Joes, when Martelli was coaching both Warley’s dad and uncle. These relationships have helped the Wolverines get toward the top of Warley’s list.

The lone crystal ball prediction, which was put in yesterday by Memphis writer Brooks Hansen, is in for FSU. The Seminoles, who have the No. 1 ranked class, already have two highly-ranked guards committed, including former Michigan target, four-star Matthew Cleveland. Warley would be a monster addition to an already stacked class for FSU.

Meanwhile, Virginia came into the picture a bit later than Michigan and FSU. The Cavaliers offered him on June 3, but have done a good job forming that bond with him quickly to be included in his top 10 list, which was released a little over a week after Virginia offered.

Here is 247Sports’ quick scouting report on him:

“Jalen Warley is a big guard with size, skill and solid athleticism. At right around 6-foot-4, Warley has the size to play off the ball and also the ability to be a primary ball handler who makes others better. He doesn’t possess elite athleticism, but his size, basketball intelligence and feel for the game show on both ends of the court. On defensive he is capable of switching and guarding multiple positions, while on offense he can run a team or be a primary scorer if that is asked of him. Warley needs to continue to be more assertive so that his natural ability shines through, but all of the tools are there for him to make an impact and college, and potentially even in the NBA.”

At the end of the day, one of these programs, more than likely, is going to add a very talented player. Warley is a guy you build your program around, and would be the crown jewel of Michigan’s 2021 class if he were to commit to the Maize and Blue. We will see where he winds up, but I would anticipate it being Michigan, Virginia or Florida State.

Warley is the No. 3 combo guard, No. 1 player in the state of Pennsylvania and No. 23 overall player on the composite.