Report: Michel Signs with Hoosiers

According to a published report, IU Coach Tom Crean has added a big man for the 2010 recruiting class.

The Bloomington Herald Times reported this morning that 7’1” North Idaho College center Guy-Marc Michel signed his IU letter of intent Friday and was sending it to the university later in the day. Indiana University has yet to publicly announce Michel’s signing pending the receipt of the LOI.

A native of the Caribbean island of Martinique, Michel spent the past two seasons at North Idaho College and will have two years of eligibility remaining. He averaged 7.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.1 blocks this past season, leading the Scenic West Athletic Conference in rebounding and blocked shots.

“As far as blocking shots and rebounding, he’s probably as good as anyone out there,” North Idaho College Coach Jared Phay told the Herald Times.

Assuming Michel is capable of stepping in and contributing immediately, his arrival fills a need at center. Crean was forced to use a pair of natural forwards - Tom Pritchard and Bobby Capobianco - at center a season ago. The two centers on IU’s 2009-10 roster – Tijan Jobe and Bawa Muniru – played sparingly.

Michel is the third member of the Hoosiers’ 2010 recruiting class, joining wings Victor Oladipo and Will Sheehey. Indiana also has forward Kevin Noreen on campus this weekend for an official visit.