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New Michigan basketball portal addition shuts down rumors of him leaving the program

Rumors have been spreading that a new 5-star transfer addition for the Wolverines was not going to play in Ann Arbor; he shut those rumors down on Thursday night.

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Michigan basketball transfer portal addition, former 5-star Caleb Love
Dec 17, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Basketball sit on the court at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Even a casual college hoops fan could tell you that the 2023-24 season is going to be vital for Juwan Howard and his Michigan Wolverines. on top of that, for the first time in nearly four years, Howard and company will be without their three-year former All-American star, Hunter Dickinson, who committed to Kansas via the portal on Thursday morning. This week, rumors began flying that new Michigan basketball transfer portal addition, former 5-star Caleb Love, was not going to be suiting up for the Maize and Blue next winter.

On Thursday night, Caleb Love silenced these rumors and emphasized that he is thrilled to be committed to be playing basketball for the University of Michigan.

New Michigan basketball transfer portal addition, former 5-star Caleb Love, shuts down Twitter rumors of his departure

The Wolverines needed a boost of talent following their poor 2022-23 season, which ended with a frustrating NIT loss at Vanderbilt in March. Now, without Hunter Dickinson and others, Juwan Howard and his Michigan basketball team are going to need to reload, in many ways, from scratch. That being said, Michigan has a crucial tool at its disposal: the transfer portal. So far, Howard has gone to work and landed some of the nation’s top transfers, including former 5-star Caleb Love, who has played his career with the North Carolina Tar Heels thus far.

The new Michigan basketball transfer portal addition was recently faced with a rude welcome to being a Michigan Wolverine — rumors that players or coaches are leaving appear to come with the territory of playing under one of the largest athletic and academic brands in the world. Still, Caleb Love was quick to shut these rumors down on Thursday night, stating, “Yes, I will play for Michigan next year! Stay tuned! Go Blue.”

The addition of this former 5-star will be crucial for the Michigan basketball team this winter — Love is already thought of as one of the top guards in the Big Ten despite never playing a minute in the Maize and Blue thus far. For the struggling Wolverines, it is great news that these rumors were all smoke and mirrors, and that Love is reaffirming his commitment ahead of the long offseason.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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BREAKING: Michigan basketball lands major transfer portal target

JUST IN: Michigan basketball has locked down its top transfer portal target

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Michigan basketball, major transfer portal target
Mar 23, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Olivier Nkamhoua (13) controls the ball against Florida Atlantic Owls guard Alijah Martin (15) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The recruitment of Olivier Nkamhoua, a highly sought-after four-star prospect, has been a rollercoaster ride for the Wolverines. Initially considered a strong contender for Michigan, Nkamhoua’s interest seemed to shift elsewhere at one point. However, contrary to earlier reports, Michigan basketball has successfully secured the commitment of this major transfer portal target. Nkamhoua, a former standout player for the Tennessee Volunteers in the SEC, will don the Maize and Blue jersey in the upcoming season as a fifth-year senior.

Michigan basketball lands major transfer portal target

Last season, Nkamhoua truly showcased his talent and emerged as a prominent figure in college basketball. His contributions played a crucial role in Tennessee’s journey to the Sweet 16, averaging an impressive 10.8 points per game while boasting a remarkable shooting percentage of nearly 70%.

With his arrival at Michigan, Nkamhoua is poised to take on a more significant role and bring his strong defensive skills to the Wolverines’ lineup. As a four-star transfer portal recruit, he was undoubtedly one of the top priorities on head coach Juwan Howard’s offseason wishlist.

Nkamhoua’s exceptional performance against the Duke Blue Devils in the Round of 32 during the 2023 March Madness tournament further solidified his reputation. In that game, he erupted for 27 points and grabbed five rebounds in just 22 minutes, leading Tennessee to a victory. Such displays of talent have garnered attention and anticipation for his future with Michigan basketball.

While the Michigan basketball team continues to undergo offseason transformations, securing a major transfer portal target like Olivier Nkamhoua marks a significant stride in the right direction for the Maize and Blue. The upcoming 2023-24 season holds great importance, as it may shape the trajectory of Juwan Howard’s tenure as the Wolverines’ head coach.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Young Michigan basketball star inks major NIL deal

The young Michigan basketball star Tarris Reed just signed a big-time NIL deal!

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young Michigan basketball star, Tarris Reed, NIL, Randy Wise Automotive
Feb 8, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Tarris Reed Jr. (32) grabs the rebound in the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Regarding the University of Michigan and NIL, Michigan football has been king. However, it appears that basketball is now making a push in the industry. Today, young Michigan basketball star center Tarris Reed signed a NIL deal with Randy Wise Automotive.

Young Michigan basketball star Tarris Reed signs noteworthy NIL deal

When it comes to Randy Wise Automotive, they know a thing or two about Michigan athletics. While this is the first NIL deal they’ve signed with a Michigan basketball player, they have plenty of Michigan football players on board.

He joins a list of Michigan athletes, including stars like quarterback JJ McCarthy, linebacker Junior Colson and tight end Colston Loveland.

Historically, the automotive company has used these NIL deals in charitable ways. More specifically, the company, alongside the Michigan football program, has helped with various charities, including the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint and United Way of Genesee County as well as J.J.’s For The Kids Foundation.

Now, with Tarris Reed on board, the company has an even broader reach within the Michigan community. Not only does this expand their brand, but it also expands their options for charity events into the future.

Big things are expected of Reed in 2023

It’s been a less-than-ideal offseason for Michigan basketball so far in 2023. They’ve lost out on several big-time transfer targets, and they also happened to lose several players to the transfer portal and NBA draft.

Still, not all hope is lost, as some young studs are returning to the program. One of which is none other than center Tarris Reed who is likely to start for the Wolverines at center this upcoming season.

The 6-foot-10, 260-pound center had a solid freshman campaign in 2023, especially breaking out toward the end of the season. Recording 3.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game, he was fantastic as a backup to superstar Hunter Dickinson.

With Dickinson heading to Kansas, Tarris Reed will need to step up in a significant way for Michigan basketball. He has the size and skill to be a star in college basketball. All he needs is a chance to prove it, and that opportunity is coming up this season.



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Former Michigan basketball transfer commit chooses final destination

Former Michigan basketball transfer commit Caleb Love has made his decision!

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Michigan basketball transfer commit, Caleb Love, transfer portal, Arizona Wildcats
Dec 21, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Caleb Love (2) drives against Michigan Wolverines forward Terrance Williams II (5) during the first half at the Jumpman Classic at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a whirlwind couple of months for Michigan basketball fans. Even more so, it’s been a whirlwind couple of months for former Michigan basketball transfer commit Caleb Love. In March, he made his decision to enter the transfer portal, leaving North Carolina before committing to play for the Wolverines in April. Then, in a turn of events, he shockingly decommitted from Michigan and has committed to play for the Arizona Wildcats.

Former Michigan basketball transfer commit Caleb Love is an Arizona Wildcat

When shooting guard Caleb Love committed to Michigan basketball, Wolverine fans once again had something to be excited about. Following a disappointing season ending in a trip to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), things needed to change.

Naturally, coach Juwan Howard took to the transfer portal to find a potential new star for the program. It seemed like Caleb Love was going to be that guy before he surprised the world and decommitted. Now, it appears the former five-star commit is headed to Tucson, AZ.

The Arizona Wildcats are getting a good one in Caleb Love. Through three seasons at North Carolina, Love recorded 14.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Not to mention, he’s an elite shot creator who is more than capable of making something out of nothing.

With Caleb Love officially headed elsewhere, Michigan basketball still has plenty of questions to attend to. Since the 2022-23 season ended, the Wolverines have lost out on stud players like Jett Howard, Kobe Bufkin, Hunter Dickinson and now Caleb Love. The team still has plenty of talent, but not much of it is proven.

If coach Juwan Howard hopes to pick up any extra pieces before next season, he needs to get on it soon. While the transfer portal is still technically open, many of the top options have already committed elsewhere. The future of Michigan basketball could still be bright, but coach Howard has plenty of work ahead of him.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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