Michigan basketball signee updates: Trey McKenney, Winters Grady shining
Michigan basketball finished second in the Big Ten this year, a great turnaround from last year’s 8-win season. The Wolverines have help coming next year, too, in the form of three signees who are all highly regarded and who could help immediately.
One, New Zealand native Oscar Goodman, is already shining in practice as an early enrollee (also redshirting). Head coach Dusty May has been impressed with what he’s seen, noting he finishes as well as just about anyone in drills.
“Oh man … I think he’s got a real winning DNA. I think he’s someone who really, really cares about his teammates,” May said. “He’s played with physicality in practice … it’s an adjustment, and that’s why we wanted to bring him over, so this adjustment would happen now.
“I just think he’s going to be a guy that impacts winning. He’s done it his entire career. He addresses some of our deficiencies, which is the physicality, the ability to get to basketballs. He’s quick off the floor with two feet. He likes contact. So, we think he’ll be someone the Michigan fans will enjoy watching.”
McDonald’s All-American Trey McKenney, meanwhile, continues to impress. He returned Feb. 11 after four games off with a hand injury to lead his Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary’s team to a Catholic League semifinal win over Birmingham Brother Rice, scoring 29 points in a 72-41 win.
McKenney scored 16 in the first half, including a pair of 3-pointers, and fueled an 11-0, third quarter run with eight points. He added nine rebounds and three assists in the win.
“I’ve been taking film very seriously this year, trying to see how defenses play me, how I can attack and get easier shots,” McKenney told the Detroit Free Press. “So, I think just me honing in on the film, believing what the film says and just executing on the court helps me have an easier game.”
OLSM followed up with a 58-57 win over Detroit Jesuit Feb. 17, McKenney leading the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds, adding 4 assists. The two teams went back and forth in a game with 15 ties and 13 lead changes, and McKenney hit some key free throws down the stretch.
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Operation Friendship, featuring the Catholic League and Public School League champions, didn’t disappoint with its OLSM vs. Detroit Renaissance matchup Feb. 23. McKenney scored 26 points, including clutch hoops down the stretch and in overtime, in a 76-73 St. Mary’s win.
“I think I am built for those kinds of moments when it’s crunch time,” McKenney said, noting he was excited to try to lead OLSM to back-to-back titles in the state’s top division since Clarkston did it in 2017-18. “We’re definitely put in a position to where we’re able to do something that hasn’t been done in a while.”
More recently, McKenney scored 25 points in a regional semifinal win over Grand Blanc. The two teams were tied at the half, but McKenney put on a show after the break and spurred a 72-41 win. The Mr. Basketball finalist and his team beat Waterford Mott in the finals in front of Michigan coach Dusty May March 6, McKenney scoring 19 in victory.
OLSM will face L’Anse Creuse North Tuesday night at Detroit Mercy in a state quarterfinal contest.
Finally, future Michigan wing Winters Grady has has a fantastic year for Prolific Prep in California. An outstanding shooter, Grady can also get to the rim and scores at all three levels. His biggest game game March 7 in a win over the Academy of Central Florida in which he notched 31 points and 7 rebounds, adding two assists and three steals.
Other Results from the last few months:
