Spike Albrecht
Multiple media outlets including USA Today and CBS Sports are reporting that Michigan point guard Trey Burke will forego his final three seasons of eligibility and declare for the NBA Draft. In the wake of that hard-hitting news, Michigan fans are left wondering who will run the point for the Wolverines in the upcoming season?
The coaching staff has identified two players who they feel can help fill the void left by Burke’s early departure. They are Michael “Spike” Albrecht and Amedeo Della Valle.
Albrecht hails from Crown Point, Indiana and was an AAU teammate of Mitch McGary and Glenn “Tre” Robinson III. He played this past season in prep school for Mount Herman (Massachusetts), which is the only team to have defeated the powerhouse Brewster Academy that Mitch McGary played for. Albrecht is described as a cerebral point guard. He can penetrate into the lane and make plays and is a very good ball handler. He is reportedly 6-foot-1, 180 pounds. See the highlight video below.
Albrecht is scheduled to visit Michigan on Thursday, April 5th.
The other late addition to the class that the coaches are looking at is Amedeo Della Valle. He is a 6-foot-5, 180 pound, combo guard out of Henderson, Nevada. An Italian import, Della Valle is a versatile player who can handle the rock, but isn’t a true point guard. He’s a scrapper on the court, a guy who makes winning plays.
April 10th is the deadline for players who have declared for the draft, but not hired an agent, to withdraw and return to school.
April 29th is the deadline to declare for the draft.
If Burke decides to go the NBA route, Michigan fans should wish him well and thank him for a remarkable freshman campaign. He sure left us wanting more though and it’s hard not to wonder how good they would have been with him back for another season.
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About Rob White
Della Valle is NOT a point guard. But he can shoot 3 pointers at 55% rate. Not bad !
That’s why I referred to him as a combo guard.
Man, I never envisioned Burke leaving after 1 year. Until it’s official, I’ll hold out hope that he stays and become part of the new tradition at Michigan. Might be more fun than riding the pine in the NBA or playing in the D-League. Not as lucrative of course, in the short term at least.