Michigan basketball officially announces Olivier Nkamhoua's addition
Michigan basketball coaches had to sweat out Olivier Nkamhoua‘s decision, but they didn’t have to wait long for his signature. The Tennessee transfer signed the paperwork and was officially announced as part of the team today (June 7).
RELATED: Michigan basketball lands Olivier Nkamhoua from the transfer portal
Nkamhoua becomes U-M basketball’s sixth official graduate transfer, though the Wolverines have commitments from Alabama’s Nimari Burnett and Seton Hall’s Tray Jackson. Both will join the team when they’re done with their coursework.
“It’s a thrill to be able to bring in an efficient and skilled player like Olivier,” head coach Juwan Howard said. “He brings so many intangibles and experiences we know he will have an immediate impact for us. His strength, rebounding, hustle, back-to-the-basket game as well as outside shooting are just a few of his skillsets that fans notice right away. However, what people don’t realize is what a tremendous passer he is.
He then took it a step further.
“He sees the floor and plays develop as good as anyone I have seen,” the Michigan coach added. “We are very excited for him to get to Ann Arbor.”
Nkamhoua spent the last four seasons playing for Rick Barnes at Tennessee (2020-23) where he played in 112 games (58 starts), compiling a 70-28 record. With the Volunteers, Nkamhoua made three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament (2021, ’22, ’23) reaching the Sweet 16 in 2023. He helped the Vols win the SEC Tournament title in 2022 — the first in 43 years and fifth in program history — before a second-round NCAA exit against Michigan.
The forward notched 733 career points (6.5 ppg) and scored a career-best 27 points, twice (Texas (Jan. 28, 2023) and vs. Duke (March 18, 2023, NCAA). He added 330 rebounds (3.8 rpg), notching 37 games of five-plus and six games with 10-plus, and had four double-doubles.
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Nkamhoua was the only Volunteer to start all 36 games last year (25-11), averaging 10.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. He shot 51.3 percent from the field and added a career-best 73 assists (2.0 apg), which was nearly three times more than any prior season.
“Choosing Michigan is another step in my development, both now and for the future,” Nkamhoua said. “I know the staff, my new teammates and everyone in Ann Arbor are going to challenge me to keep getting better. I can’t wait for that.
“I also want to be a part of the U-M culture Coach Howard has created — family, and that never- back- down attitude. I look forward to being a part of a team full of guys that are hungry to prove themselves and everyone wrong.”
Nkamhoua notched 31 three-pointers over the last two seasons after making just one in his first two seasons, including a career best 18 triples last year (36.4 percent). He also continues to compete with the Finland National Team. In 2022, he played in four FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers and was a member of the 2016 FIBA U16 European Championship team.
Watch for more on his addition and other Michigan recruiting news in the days to come …
