Michigan Basketball's Isaiah Barnes To Enter Transfer Portal
Following a turbulent 2022-23 season for the Michigan Basketball program, Isaiah Barnes is reportedly entering the transfer portal.
The 6-7 redshirt freshman appeared in 15 games during his final season at Michigan, averaging just 6.1 minutes and 1.1 points per game in limited action. In fact, Barnes didn't play in Michigan's final 13 games, with his last appearance occurring in January against Penn State.
Barnes, a former four-star recruit, was part of Juwan Howard's 2021 recruiting class - a class that included guys like Caleb Houstan, Moussa Diabate, Frankie Collins, and Kobe Bufkin.
Although he's the first, it's likely that Barnes won't be the last Wolverine to announce his departure following the 2022-23 season. At this point, the general consensus is that both Jett Howard (freshman guard) and Kobe Bufkin (sophomore guard) will enter the NBA draft, with both projected as first-round picks in a number mock drafts.
Another big piece (and question mark) to the puzzle in 2023-24 is center Hunter Dickinson. At 7-1, 260-pounds, Dickinson was by far Michigan's most productive weapon on both ends of the floor. The former Big Ten Freshman of the Year averaged 18.5 points and just under nine rebounds per game as a junior this season, a team-best in both categories.
While Michigan will return starting point guard Dug McDaniel and forward Tarris Reed Jr., next year's roster could start to look pretty thin in the coming weeks. Based on the potential departures, along with a 2023 recruiting class that is currently ranked No. 9 in the Big Ten (No. 42 overall), it's likely that head coach Juwan Howard will once again seek out talent and experience in the transfer portal.
