Michigan basketball coach John Beilein sees similarities between Tim Hardaway Jr. and his father

Before Michigan basketball coach John Beilein knew Tim Hardaway had a son or that he’d be an elite level basketball player, was impressed with the father’s game.

So much so, he called one of the moves he showed his players ‘The Hardaway.”

“The Hardaway” is a move Tim Hardaway pulled off often during his all-star NBA career. He’d cross the ball over and just when it looked like he’d be crossing back, he’d take the ball up and extend for a jump shot.

According to Beilein, like father, like son.

“There will be some times where he’ll shoot that little jump shot,” Beilein said.

Tim Hardaway Jr. was one of two players to sign letters of intent on Wednesday to play for the Michigan basketball team. The other is Evan Smotrycz of Reading, Mass.

When Beilein and his staff started recruiting Hardaway Jr. - he was initially scouted by Michigan assistant John Mahoney - he immediately saw some similarities in the games of father and son.

Tim Hardaway Jr., at 6-foot-5, is a bit taller but the shot looks the same and he’s got the passing skills. One thing he doesn’t yet have - at least not in games, according to a story about Hardaway Sr. in the Miami Herald, - is the “Killer Crossover.”

What Hardaway Jr. does have is a chance to play at a Division I program.

“We like guys that can have that jump shot nice and high and when it goes in, it’s even better,” Beilein said. “But he also sees, sees what’s going on, which is big.”

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.