The Michigan Wolverines basketball program has been in the news over the last several days due to transfer portal commitments. They have landed some big-time names since last weekend began. New Wolverines head coach Dusty May is adding to his roster as former players decide to hit the portal.
There will be a new look in Ann Arbor, as the team has been in the process of recruiting guys from other collegiate programs before the 2024 season. Juwan Howard is no longer at the helm of the Michigan basketball program. With a new head coach, a different mindset and mentality will be the centerpiece of reloading the team to national prominence and recognition again.
On Monday morning, a former rival guard chose to transfer to the Michigan Wolverines hoops team. The Big Ten guard has left one conference team and will be heading to another. But this comes with unfamiliar territory as he will be heading to a big rival opponent.
Michigan Wolverines Land Roddy Gayle From Rival
BREAKING: Ohio State transfer guard Roddy Gayle Jr. has committed to Michigan, he tells @On3sports.
The 6-4 sophomore averaged 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game this season. https://t.co/jrLBfPCMqT pic.twitter.com/oWoImRco6D
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 22, 2024
Everyone knows the rivalry between the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State is the biggest in all of sports. A former Buckeyes guard, Roddy Gayle, has flipped to the rival opponent for the 2024–25 basketball season. Roddy Gayle averaged 13.5 points per game, 4.6 boards, and 3.1 assists as a sophomore in 2023. It comes as no surprise that Roddy Gayle appeared on the sidelines at the Michigan Wolverines football spring game last Saturday at the Big House.
While at Ohio State, Roddy Gayle played in every contest in his first two seasons. He can shoot threes. As a freshman, he shot 43% from the stripe. Last season, a wrist injury slowed down his shooting production at Ohio State. Gayle will add to the depth chart as Dusty May will be incorporating a new system that will be different for the Michigan Wolverines this season.
Wolverines Transfer Portal Additions
A bright spot for the Michigan Wolverines has been the recent news pieces that transferred to the program. It all started with Justin Pippen, the son of former NBA star Scottie Pippen. Fans will likely see the six-time NBA champion in Crisler Center supporting him in the fall. The Wolverines also brought in Danny Wolf from Yale. He will be a key player on the inside as a rebounder.
In 2023, Wolf averaged 14.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. His versatility as a scorer will help the Michigan Wolverines on offense in the new season under Dusty May. Danny Wolf will be entering his junior season in Ann Arbor. Michigan also received another guard transfer, Tre Donaldson, from Auburn.
His statistics were not a big highlight in 2023, but he will be a valuable asset to the Michigan frontcourt. Donaldson only averaged 6.7 points per game with 2.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists a year ago. The former Tigers guard had limited playing time, appearing in just 10 games last season.
2024 CBB Season
Dusty May brings a championship pedigree to the Michigan Wolverines in 2024. He took Florida Atlantic to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. His playstyle is based on guard play and the three-point shot. Surely, he will use the inside to balance out the offensive attack.
It will look different as Michigan had a forgettable season in 2023, only managing to obtain an 8-24 record. This was one of the worst seasons in many years for the Michigan Wolverines. It was time for new leadership as the athletic department hired Dusty May to take over the basketball program with the departure of Juwan Howard.
Fans of the Wolverines will have to see what the 2024 version of the hoops squad will do. Things will not turn around right away, as players and coaches have to get used to one another and learn how to play together. With all of the new transfer players coming in, it should give the program a boost in the new campaign at Crisler Center.
Offensive execution and defense will be crucial for winning success as a new headman enters the building in Ann Arbor!
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James has been a sportswriter for two years. He is a close follower of college sports, the NFL, and MLB—a fan of the Michigan Wolverines, Green Bay Packers, and the Atlanta Braves. He is a substitute teacher for grades 9–12 and has enjoyed his time helping students learn in the classroom over the last eight years. Follow me on Twitter/X (@michfan20).
