Montverde Academy is a talent factory; a haven for college coaches to find prized recruits. Oklahoma State signee Cade Cunningham, Florida State commit Scottie Barnes, and now Caleb Houstan.
The 6-foot-7, 190-pound recruit is next to carry the torch for the Florida powerhouse. Hailing from Mississauga, Canada, Houstan is the latest in highly-touted hoopers from north of the border.
Caleb Houstan Highlights
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Houstan primarily operates as a spot-up shooter. He finds open windows and moves well without the ball. His shot is smooth and soft. His high arc makes the ball silk through the net. The only gripe with his shot is the release speed. It lags a tad, making it easy for defenders to recover. Houstan played with drivers that forced the defense to crash the paint, leaving plenty of time for a clean look. That being said, he plays under control.
The five-star doesn't need the ball to be effective. He runs the floor well in transition, which is his favorite spot to attack the rim. He finishes with dunks and is willing passer to open teammates. Against zone defenses, he maneuvers around the high post or finds creases under the hoop with great body control.
Houstan's length and athleticism supply the potential for a good defender and strong rebounder. He can be disruptive in passing lanes and against guards.
If he sharpens his ball and defensive skills, I see flashes of Paul George; a versatile scorer and defender capable of elite playmaking.
Caleb Houstan Basketball Recruiting
Houstan was the seventh-rated player in the class of 2022 according to the 247Sports Composite. He ranked fifth in the Rivals150 player rankings. The Montverde forward considered reclassifying to the Class of 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic and COVID-19 outbreak.
College basketball programs from all over the country haven taken interest in the high school star. Houstan holds offers from Alabama, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, Seton Hall, Tennessee, Texas, Texas Tech, and Virginia. UNC head coach Roy Williams is especially intrigued by Houstan. IMG Academy point guard Jaden Bradley is the other top 2022 player the Tar Heels are targeting. Duke, Gonzaga, and Michigan State haven't offered yet but are all keeping a watchful eye.
Houstan has good size a strong foundation to build on. If he keeps progressing at the current pace, he'll climb NBA Draft boards.
UPDATE (July 17, 2020): Houstan confirmed to ESPN what many expected could happen. He is reclassifying to the Class of 2021, making the upcoming campaign his final season of high school basketball.
This forward-thinking move makes him eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft.
Caleb Houstan, the No. 3 overall recruit in the Class of 2022, has reclassified to 2021, per @DraftExpress. @DukeMBB is one of several programs who have offered the 6-foot-8 small forward
— Duke Basketball (@dukebasketball) July 17, 2020
Caleb Houston Commits to Michigan
2021 five-star Caleb Houstan has committed to Michigan.
The Wolverines now have the #1 Ranked Recruiting Class for 2021. pic.twitter.com/umeSltnJ34
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) October 30, 2020
Caleb Houstan, the No. 9 overall recruit and No. 2 power forward in his class, has committed to play for head coach Juwan Howard and the Michigan Wolverines next season.
The five-star recruit's announcement was immediately trending, especially with Michigan basketball fans. The versatility Houstan brings to the hardwood is elite, and he opted to take his talents to the NCAA instead of going to the G-League.
Houstan is the fifth member of Michigan's 2021 recruiting class, joining point guard Frankie Collins, shooting guard Kobe Bufkin, small forward Isaiah Barnes, and power forward Will Tschetter.
This is his last season of high school basketball and he's going to make it count.
This article was originally published June 24, 2020. It's been updated to track Houstan's recruitment.
