Michigan basketball ranked No. 1 in transfer portal, awaiting NBA decisions

Michigan men’s basketball is ranked as the best team in the transfer portal this offseason, according to 247Sports. Coming off of a resurgent season, the Wolverines have added center Aday Mara (UCLA), forwards Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB) and Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois) and guard Elliot Cadeau (UNC). Lendeborg was widely regarded as the top player in the portal, and he could still head to the NBA.

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The NBA Draft takes place on Wednesday, June 25, and it could be consequential for the Wolverines. Lendeborg is a guaranteed contract away from heading to the next level, and Michigan forward Danny Wolf could move on to the pros as well.

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May said all he can do is support his guys.

“Well with the fluidity now it’s a better time than ever, where if you’re gonna recruit the best players and have the best players in your program, they’re going to have these options,” May said on the Michigan Insider Wednesday. “And they don’t have to make a decision until ‘X’ date, and so you support them.

“And I’ll just speak on Danny, I mean all feedback has been that he’s gonna be able to achieve his dreams, so our expectations are that he would go chase them. For him to be in this position, we’re very grateful.”

In the age of the portal, it’s rare to see a college team in any sport retain its top players. May said it comes with the territory of being a top program.

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“Anyone else, hopefully every year we’re going to Chicago to watch our guys perform in the pre-draft camp and in position for the NBA,” May said. “After that, you make a decision; you recruit the best players or you don’t. If you don’t, then you don’t have to worry about it. If you’re gonna recruit the best players, then this is part of it, and you have to build in some contingency plans.”

The spring portal window closes on April 22, so the Wolverines have time to continue to build next season’s roster.

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