Recruiting Report: Michael Hughes (2016)
LIBERTY — In the words of his high school coach, the Akron Zips are getting a steal in Liberty North big man Michael Hughes. One of the state’s premier big men, Hughes has a huge frame, a skill set to…
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Continue ReadingLIBERTY — In the words of his high school coach, the Akron Zips are getting a steal in Liberty North big man Michael Hughes.
One of the state’s premier big men, Hughes has a huge frame, a skill set to match and is only beginning to scratch the surface of his potential.
“He is a phenomenal player and he is only getting better,” Liberty North head coach Chris McCabe said. “There’s not much on the court he can’t do. He is improving his conditioning. He isn’t in great shape, but he has had some injuries that he is battling through. As he continues to get healthier that will get better.”
Also a standout on the football field for Liberty North, Hughes is averaging 18 points and 15 rebounds per game, but those numbers are deceiving early in the season as Hughes played just one minute in a contest before leaving with an injury. Take that game out, and those numbers climb even higher.
“He has a great skill set and understanding of the game,” McCabe said. “Akron got a steal and they knew what they were doing when they saw him early. They were phenomenal recruiting him, and there were some others that were good recruiting him, but they see the potential in him.”
Hughes said he feels as though he has a well-rounded game for a post player and tried to play through his teammates. It was that play that helped him lead Liberty North to a championship this past week at the William Jewell tournament in Liberty where Hughes earned MVP honors.
“I really like to say my game has a nice pace and can play anywhere on the court,” Hughes said. “I don’t want to sound cocky, but I try to play with confidence and I really play through my teammates.”
The big man spent the offseason competing for the KC Pumas and coach Darren Mason, and Hughes said that experience was a big part of his growth as a player.
“The development side was outstanding,” Hughes said. “Dan really pushed me every practice where if you’re not close to throwing up, then we have to stay after. The high school season you’re just into running plays and during the summer you have to excel and get better.”
Huges said he is excited about joining an Akron program that is in the Cleveland, Ohio area and is supported by LeBron James.
“I’m really excited, ever since my official visit I felt like I knew where the right place was,” Hughes said. “They treated me and my family well and it was a family atmosphere out there just like at home.”
“Everyone asks me (about LeBron) and I’m really out there to play not to search for LeBron or anything. But everyone knows that he is one of the best players in the world and that is just a perk of getting to sign and play with (Akron).”