David Dejulius 'overwhelmed' by Michigan offer

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - Junior point guard David Dejulius of Detroit East English Village Prep scored 46 points, including nine 3-pointers, in front of Michigan head coach John Beilein and his wife. Shortly after, Dejulius was offered by the head man himself.

Dejulius' EEVP team beat Macomb Dakota 79-63 at 'The Battle of the Best' holiday basketball tournament at Southfield A&T High School. He put on a show, with Beilein sitting courtside, going 13-17 from the field, and an even more impressive 9-11 from beyond the arch, helping him solidify his offer.

"Coach Beilein texted me after the game, and told me to give him about an hour when he got home," Dejulius said. "So, I called him about 10:30. He was just saying how I was a perfect fit for Michigan, how he wanted to be the one coaching me on the floor, and how he wanted me to be the one running his offense. Then he offered me a scholarship."

DePaul was Dejulius' lone reported offer prior to Michigan. He has other interest Michigan State, Oakland, Detroit, and Texas, but the offer from Michigan meant a lot to him. Beilien might have done himself a service by being the first high-major program to offer Dejulius.

"I was overwhelmed," said Dejulius. "I was speechless. Just to be offered by such a great coach, and such a great university is such a blessing. To have an offer from a university 45 minutes from my home is a great feeling."

The 6-1, 190-pound combo guard's play is reminiscent of current Michigan senior point guard Derrick Walton Jr., when he was in high school at Harper Woods (Mich.) Chandler Park Academy. A big guard, with excellent strength, feel for the game, and the ability to score at a high rate. Dejulius' career-high is now 46. Walton's was 47 at CPA. Dejulius' style of play fits Michigan well, and both parties are certainly interested. Dejulius said he and Beilein talk every other day.

"I feel like I fit very well in their (Michigan)," Dejulius said. "They are a point guard oriented system, and he (Beilein) is known for being a point guard coach. They let their point guards kind of control the game, so, I feel like it would be a good environment for me to be in."

"Derrick Walton was a monster in high school. He had multiple triple-doubles. I think we both were leaders. This year I'm sharing the ball better, and our ability to see the floor an find our teammates is similar."

EEVP head coach Juan Rickman compared Dejulius to current Michigan sophomore walk-on Fred Wright-Jones, who played for him in 2015. Not as far as talent goes, but how hard they both work at their craft.

"He (Dejulius) and Fred Wright-Jones are the same kid," Rickman said. "Dave is just more talented. He has a great work ethic, and he is a phenomenal kid. He work out so much. His work ethic is unmatched. He was never a selfish kid, but now he as started to incorporate others into his game, and as you cans see, his shot has gotten better."

Dejulius will not be shutting down his recruitment just yet, even though he thinks highly of the opportunity Michigan afforded him. Because his junior year of basketball has just begun, getting back down to Ann Arbor to visit will be a challenge, but he does plan to attend a basketball game as soon as his schedule permits. He is averaging 38.5 points per game this season.

"They're (Michigan) very high on my list now," said Dejulius. "Like I said, they are a point guard school, with a great coach, and not too far from my home. All the opportunities for me to be a great student-athlete and person are there, but I'm still going to weigh my options out."