April 14, 2010

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan head men's basketball coach John Beilein announced today (Wednesday, April 14) the signing of 6-9 forward Jon Horford (Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge HS) to a National Letter of Intent.

With Horford joining the Wolverines, Beilein now has a three-player incoming freshman class, adding to the signings of forward Tim Hardaway, Jr. (Miami, Fla./Palmetto Senior HS) and 6-9 forward Evan Smotrycz (Reading, Mass./New Hampton Prep [N.H.]) during November's early signing period.

"We are pleased to announce that Jon has become a part of the Michigan basketball family and believe he is a great fit for our program moving forward," said Beilein. "At 6-9, 215 he is explosive and highly skilled. I love his length, wing span and his ability to rebound the basketball and as his strength improves he will help us in several areas. He can block shots, he has a nice touch and he has a huge upside and tremendous hunger and desire to improve."

Horford played four years under coach Tony Sweet at Grand Ledge High School. As a senior, Horford averaged 21.0 points, 13.0 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game and helped the Comets reach the Class A District Finals. He was named a 2010 Class A All-State performer from the Associated Press, the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News.

Jon is the younger brother of Al Horford, who currently plays with the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA. Al was the third overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft after a stellar career at the University of Florida, where he helped the Gators to back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007. Horford's father, Tito, also played in the NBA for three seasons and is the first Dominican-born player to play in the NBA, drafted 39th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1988 NBA Draft.

The Wolverines will be replacing fifth-year senior forward Zack Gibson (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc), senior forward DeShawn Sims (Detroit, Mich./Pershing), senior/junior Anthony Wright (Sterling, Va./Oak Hill Academy), junior Manny Harris (Detroit, Mich./Redford HS), who opted to forgo his senior season for the NBA, and sophomore/freshman Ben Cronin (Syracuse, N.Y./Henninger HS), who will be leaving the program due to injury.

• Michigan Lands Two Recruits in the Early Signing Period (11/11/09)

Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423