Michigan basketball might not have a Yaxel Lendeborg headlining its transfer portal class, but it filled its needs, even with the futures of Morez Johnson Jr. and (technically) Aday Mara being unclear. Both could stay in the NBA draft, and that may be likely, but one or the other could potentially return. But Dusty May has somewhat future-proofed the team through its transfer portal additions, as the trio that were brought in could help replace that duo, at the very least.
At this juncture, the Wolverines have three additions via the transfer portal — center Moustapha Thiam, and forwards Jalen Reed and JP Estrella — and On3 sees what Michigan has added and ranks it No. 7 in its transfer portal winners. (subscription required)
7. Michigan
Michigan knew it was going to be without Yaxel Lendeborg after just one season, and their two other frontcourt players, Aday Mara, a potential lottery pick, and Morez Johnson, a potential top-20 pick, have both seen their NBA Draft stock rise. Ann Arbor has become Destination A for big men, with Dusty May turning what feels like every frontcourt player that passes through the program into an NBA Draft pick. So the reigning national champs went out and landed three more bigs to bolster their frontcourt.
The Wolverines also return key guards Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney, along with LJ Cason, who is working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in late February.
Additions:Moustapha Thiam, 7-2, C, Soph. (12.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.6 BPG at Cincinnati)Jalen Reed, 6-10, F, Jr. (9.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG in six games at LSU)JP Estrella, 6-11, F, Soph. (10.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG at Tennessee)
The Wolverines are still looking to potentially add a wing, but with five-star combo guard Brandon McCoy Jr. coming in, they could have their Lendeborg replacement in the starting lineup.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan basketball’s transfer portal additions ranked high