Michigan basketball roster: Transfer Portal additions, returning players, and 2025-26 outlook

The Michigan Wolverines are into the offseason with another roster overhaul as Dusty May crafts his group heading into the 2025-26 season. Plenty of movement took place at the tail-end of the season and roster numbers are still coming into focus.

However, May and Michigan have put together another great class. On3 ranks the transfer portal haul as the fourth-best in the country, mixed in with a few key contributors returning to Ann Arbor and a recruiting class with some talented pieces.

Here’s a look at who is still with the program, who decided to leave and transfers as of May 16.

ON THE ROSTER (7)
Will Tschetter, R-Sr.
Tschetter told reporters after Michigan’s loss to Auburn that he plans on returning to the squad for his final season of eligibility.

Nimari Burnett, Gr. (6th year)
Burnett has a sixth season of eligibility remaining and he will use it in Ann Arbor. After spending much of the early part of his career injured, he has started in every game for Michigan over the last two seasons at the two-guard spot.

Roddy Gayle Jr., Sr.
Like Tschetter, Gayle stated after the loss to Auburn that he plans to return to Ann Arbor during the 2025-26 season.

Elliot Cadeau, Jr. (UNC transfer)
The former five-star recruit and North Carolina point guard was the first commitment of the transfer portal cycle for the Wolverines, giving them an on-ball playmaker to lead the backcourt next season.

Aday Mara, Jr., (UCLA transfer)
Michigan added a 7-3 center to its roster during the portal cycle in Mara, who’s role with the team could change depending on whether or not Yaxel Lendeborg decides to withdraw from the draft. Still, Mara is an elite rim protector with a game that has a lot of similarities to Vlad Goldin.

LJ Cason, So.
One of Michigan’s foundational young players raised his level of play in the postseason, which could position him for a much bigger role next year in Ann Arbor.

Morez Johnson Jr., So. (Illinois transfer)
Michigan landed the former Illinois big man in early April and is expected to give him time at both the five and four positions.

Oscar Goodman, R-Fr.
A member of the 2025 recruiting class, Goodman signed and enrolled early ahead of the winter semester, where Michigan redshirted him the rest of the way.

Winters Grady, Fr.
The top-60 talent comes to Ann Arbor this summer and projects long-term as a sniper with length on the wing for the Michigan program.

Trey McKenney, Fr.
The borderline five-star recruit and top-25 player will arrive this summer and should have a prominent role in the rotation no matter what shape the roster takes.

Patrick Liburd, Fr.
Michigan landed the former Coastal Carolina commit on May 16,. The 6-foot-6, 180-pounder is an unranked recruit but decommitted and requested a release from his national letter of intent on May 7. 

TBD (1)
Yaxel Lendeborg (committed)
The portal’s top overall prospect and former UAB forward committed to Michigan on April 5, but is still weighing entering the 2025 NBA Draft and is a projected late first/early second-round prospect.

NBA (1)
Danny Wolf, Sr.
The talented 7-footer will head to the 2025 NBA Draft.

TRANSFERS OUT (5)
Tre Donaldson, Sr. –> Miami (FL)
The writing may have been on the wall when Michigan took Cadeau’s commitment, but Donaldson still could have fit as an off-ball guard. Instead, he is off to his third school in four years after entering the portal on April 1.

Justin Pippen, So. (California)
Pippen raised eyebrows when he entered the portal the week of the Sweet Sixteen and will have three seasons of eligibility remaining. He did not make the final three weekend trips of the season while dealing with concussion protocol.

Sam Walters, Jr. (SMU)
A back injury held Walters out of the last 1.5 months of the year for the Wolverines after showing off his range as a tall shooter with a knack for hitting corner threes. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Jace Howard, Gr. (Fordham)
Howard did not play after Jan. 1 and is seeking a medical redshirt for a sixth season of eligibility elsewhere.

Phat Phat Brooks, So. (Central Michigan)
Brooks did not see much playing time this season for the Wolverines and entered the transfer portal on April 9. The coaching staff praised the in-state star for his defensive chops.