The 6-3 guard was a 4-star prospect in the 2024 class and played his high school basketball at Sierra Canyon HS. He committed and played for Michigan this past season.
Welcome to Berkeley, Justin!

Another project with questionable upside potential, when what we need is a player

barsad said:

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I smell another bad Blacksher-esque promise made by Madsen for a guaranteed starting slot. No way Pippen would have left Michigan with his father's blessing unless Madsen made that promise to both father and son personally. Will Cal fans have to suffer through another PG hole in the starting lineup for 80% of the season like we did last year? These big bets haven't paid off yet for Madsen, I hope this one works.

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I don't think you can assume that. He was buried on the UM depth chart. He got few opportunities and didn't do anything with them. He was leaving UM. I don't see that a 27% shooter who scores a point and a half a game is able to make demands.

I know that I'm sounding harsher than I mean to. He was a good prospect out of high school. UM might just have been a bad fit for him and he will flourish here. I don't think this is a bad pickup. But I do think he has to prove himself.

He's coming back to California and joining a roster where the competition for playing time is going to be much easier. I think Cal is fairly attractive given his situation.

But if you are right that a promise was made, I would most definitely share your concerns.

Harky4 said:

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Another project with questionable upside potential, when what we need is a player

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There is absolutely no reason "a player" will come to Cal at this point. I have to think that much of the griping here is because of the kid's last name. A year ago, or especially two years ago, if Cal had signed up a 4*, #73 ranked player, this board would have been ecstatic. So the kid didn't break into the starting rotation for a top 10 team - that doesn't mean he's terminally flawed. Has he been promised playing time? Will he stay more than a year? Who knows? For now, the best Cal will do is to get "potential players" or maybe "mid-major players" or hopefully, some Euro players. So, I'm intrigued with the guy and it gets Cal basketball a little publicity, if only for a minute.