Recruiting Update: Michael Christmas (2019)
Photo credit: The Virginian-Pilot
Michael Christmas is a name that we’ve been hearing for a few years now throughout the Virginia high school basketball circuit, and now, heading into his senior campaign, his next basketball chapter is right around the corner.
Recently, Christmas took trips to see three schools in Siena College, Quinnipiac University and Longwood University. All programs have offered Christmas and remain on his list.
“I am getting close to narrowing down my list,” Christmas said. “But right now, I’m pretty much interested in all schools that are showing interest.”
The 6-foot-5 swingman has many tools in his repertoire and has no problem playing above the rim. Christmas absorbs contact when he rises toward the cylinder and finishes with absolute authority. I mean, in the highlight video below, it really doesn’t take long for him to make a defender pay for jumping with him.
Check out our previous report on Christmas here.
It is also quite apparent that Christmas can finagle his way to the rim creatively. A perfect example of this is at the 47-second mark of the highlight video when he completes a pretty euro-step on the break to roll it in for two.
Oh yeah, let’s not forget about his shooting ability. When defenders sag off the highflying Christmas, he can pull up from beyond the arc.
All in all, whatever college coach lands Christmas will have the luxury of developing a prospect that already has great tools.
Christmas ran with Team Loaded VA this spring/summer playing in tournaments such as the Adidas Gauntlet. Throughout July, he recognized that his play progressed, which was important with the number of college coaches that were out on the recruiting trail.
With his final high school season next on the agenda, Christmas mentioned that his scoring mentality is what he looks to improve.
“I think I need to make sure I’m more aggressive,” Christmas said.
Landstown is returning with a talented and experienced group that has been playing together since middle school. Christmas is confident in the pieces that they have for the 2018-2019 season.
“We used to play with each other in middle school and AAU,” Christmas said. “So we all know each other and have a good feel for everybody’s game.
“If I ever have an off-night, I know somebody else will pick it up, and vice versa.”