Why Michigan Basketball Could Lose Players to Transfer Portal With Dusty May Leaving for Mavericks

May is leaving Michigan for the Mavericks. Some members of the Wolverines’ roster could also be leaving the program soon. Here’s why.

After winning a national championship with Michigan, Dusty May on Monday was reportedly hired by the Dallas Mavericks to be the team's next coach. | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

In a men’s college basketball stunner, national championship-winning coach Dusty May reportedly is leaving the program to become the next coach of the Dallas Mavericks. And May’s departure may not be the only change coming for the Wolverines.

Not only is Michigan tasked with finding a new coach to run the program, but the Wolverines may also be facing some roster turnover via the transfer portal. How could that be possible, you ask, when the transfer portal’s lone window closed in April?

How Michigan basketball can lose players in transfer portal with Dusty May leaving

With May departing, Michigan may lose some players in the portal due to a new transfer window the NCAA adopted in January. The Division I Cabinet approved new transfer window in several sports, including men's and women's basketball, with one of the new windows covering a coaching departure. Here’s the rule, per the NCAA.

“When a head coaching change occurs, a 15-day period will open five days after the new head coach is hired or publicly announced. If a new head coach is not announced within 30 days of the previous head coach's departure — and the 31st day after the head coach's departure is after the championship game — a 15-day window will open. The additional head coach departure window is available only after the basketball transfer window opens through Jan. 2.”

Reports have already emerged that Michigan is working towards naming Wolverines assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. as the team's interim coach. If—or when—that move comes to fruition and is officially announced, a 15-day transfer portal window will open five days after the official announcement, during which Michigan players will be allowed to depart the program. Should Michigan fail to hire a new coach within 30 days of Mays departure, a 15-day transfer portal window will open.

With many rosters around college basketball already seemingly set for the 2026–27 season—and many programs having already burned through their financial coffers—it remains to be seen as to what sort of maneuverability Michigan players may have should they choose to enter the portal. But thanks to this new NCAA rule, the option is there for them to test the waters.

What does Michigan basketball roster look like for 2026-27?

Mike Boynton Jr. served on Dusty May’s Michigan staff and will reportedly be named interim coach. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan, looking to repeat as national champions in 2026–27, has a talented roster with which to do so, even though its chief architect is no longer with the program. Thanks to key returnees, such as guards Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney, impactful transfers, such as Moustapha Thiam and J.P. Estrella, and blue-chip recruits, like Brandon McCoy Jr., the Wolverines are teeming with talent.

Here’s a look at Michigan basketball’s full roster.

Player Name	Position	Year
Elliot Cadeau	G	Senior
Trey McKenney	G	Sophomore
Brandon McCoy Jr.	G	Junior
Ricky Liburd	G	Redshirt Freshman
Joseph Hartman	G	Freshman
Malachi Brown	G	Freshman
Howard Eisley Jr.	G	Freshman
L.J. Cason	G	Junior
J.P. Estrella	F	Redshirt Junior
Jalen Reed	F	Graduate Transfer
Oscar Goodman	F	Redshirt Sophomore
Quinn Costello	F	Freshman
Harrison Hochberg	F	Redshirt Junior
Lincoln Cosby	F	Freshman
Moustapha Thiam	C	Junior
Marcus Møller	C	Freshman

Note: L.J. Cason and Lincoln Cosby are expected to redshirt for the 2026–27 season.

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