Austin Hatch granted extra year

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Michigan basketball commitment Austin Hatch, who recently survived a plane crash that killed his father and stepmother, is reclassifying to the Class of 2014.

Hatch, who committed to the Wolverines in 2011 for the Class of 2013, was in a plane crash in the summer of 2011 that killed his father, Stephen, and his stepmother. It was the second plane crash Hatch has survived.

Hatch was critically injured in the crash. Because of his medical issues and rehab, he missed the 2011-12 season for the Canterbury School in Fort Wayne.

Indiana High School Athletic Association spokesman Jason Wille said Wednesday that the decision means Hatch can play two more seasons.

Hatch initially was supposed to be part of Michigan's current recruiting class that includes Derrick Walton (Harper Woods, Mich./Chandler Park Academy), Zak Irvin (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) and Mark Donnal (Whitehouse, Ohio/Anthony Wayne), all ESPN Top 100 prospects. The class is ranked second nationally, behind only Florida.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Michael Rothstein | email

Reporter, WolverineNation

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• Reporter for WolverineNation
• Covers Michigan Wolverines sports
• Joined ESPN in 2011