4-star forward Jalen Wilson requests release from Michigan, reopens recruitment

Kansas University basketball recruiting

A high school senior who had been off the recruiting market since November is firmly back on the Kansas basketball team’s radar.

A four-star small forward in the Class of 2019, Jalen Wilson announced on Thursday he is requesting a release from his National Letter of Intent with Michigan and reopening his recruitment.

Wilson’s change of heart was a direct result of Monday’s news that John Beilein had left Michigan to become the head coach of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers.

“I was just in shock,” Wilson told the Detroit Free Press earlier this week.

A few days after contemplating his college basketball future, Wilson announced via Twitter his immediate plans.

“I would also like to thank the coaching staff and the city (of) Ann Arbor for showing an unbelievable amount of love and support,” Wilson wrote in a note he posted to social media. “Due to the sudden head coaching change, I have requested my release from the University of Michigan and will reopen my recruitment.”

A top-50 prospect in his class, Wilson is a 6-foot-8 forward from Denton, Texas. He was offered scholarships from several programs, including KU, before signing with the Wolverines this past November.

Assistant coach Jerrance Howard recruited Wilson for KU initially.

According to a report from 247 Sports’ Brian Snow, Wilson plans to look into joining Kansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma State or Florida, while still considering Michigan as he moves ahead.

As the Jayhawks continue filling out their 2019 recruiting class, one of their top targets, five-star guard R.J. Hampton, appeared intrigued by the announcement from his friend, Wilson.

While retweeting Wilson’s big news, Hampton added, “come to the crib today.”

Hampton, a 6-5 guard from Little Elm, Texas, is reportedly considering committing to KU, Texas Tech or Kentucky.