Ranking Michigan Basketball’s 5 biggest remaining retention priorities

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Michigan assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. reacts to a play against Oakland during the second half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, November 3, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Interim Michigan men’s basketball head coach Mike Boynton is doing everything in his power to keep the band together. Concurrently, he is also proving he is the right man for the job long term. And thus far, job well done!

Boynton has already secured the returns of Trey McKenney, Elliott Cadeau, Moustapha Thiam and J.P Estrella, a core that is strong enough to keep the Wolverines in the mix in the Big Ten. Now, Boynton must focus on retaining a handful of others if Michigan wants any shot at one of the unlikeliest championship repeats in the sport’s history.

Here is how Boynton should prioritize his retention efforts with the current Wolverines.

1. SG Brandon McCoy​

Perhaps a little controversial, but I’ll explain. Brandon McCoy is the second-rated shooting guard and the No. 10 overall player in the 2026 class. At 6-foot-5, he combines college-ready size with physicality and competitiveness that should immediately translate into an impact two-way player. His ability to play off the ball could also give Michigan a dynamic three-guard lineup to help space the floor with Thiam and Estrella dominating in the paint. McCoy’s talent has scouts projecting him as the top Wolverine in the 2027 NBA Draft, and most importantly, he is not coming off a knee injury.

2. PG L.J. Cason​

L.J. Cason was the best backup point guard in the country last season before his February knee injury against Illinois. Off the bench, Cason was averaging 8.4 points, 2.4 assists and 1.9 rebounds while shooting 50.3 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from beyond the arc. And the numbers don’t even do his career ascent justice.

Originally expected to redshirt next year, he is now on track for a late return with the expected passage of the 5-in-5 NCAA eligibility rule. Cason could return in February for the meat of the conference slate, but he should be fully healthy for the postseason. Cason will bring leadership and continuity to this team and will help ease the pressure on McCoy’s freshman shoulders.

3. PF Jalen Reed​

The 6-foot-10 LSU transfer provides valuable experience and depth to Michigan’s front court. A four-year player, however, Jalen Reed has only played in 14 games the last two seasons and is coming off consecutive season-ending injuries. But in those games, he averaged 10.3 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 46.5 percent from three.

With his ability to rebound and space the floor, Reed is the perfect complementary forward to play next to a dominant center. If Reed can replicate Nimari Burnett’s ironman turn once in Ann Arbor — Burnett only played 12 games his first two years due to injury — he could be the biggest swing role player for this team.

4. PF Quinn Costello​

Quinn Costello falls under the definition of “stretch 4” in the dictionary. A lean, silky smooth offensive player at 6-foot-10, Costello has great shooting touch and a well-rounded offensive game. Despite his frame, he is coordinated off the dribble, and his catch-and-shoot ability could be his ticket to early playing time off the bench. He needs to put on weight to hold up in the Big Ten — he is listed at sub-200 pounds — especially defensively, but his offensive game is remarkably polished for a young player.

Side note: With Costello coming from Boston, Boynton must prioritize his retainment for the sole purpose of the fanbase’s enjoyment and ability to make an endless amount of The Departed references.

5. SF Lincoln Cosby​

A true freshman, Lincoln Cosby is the highest-rated natural wing player on the roster, even though he will not be available until next season due to an extensive injury rehab. A reclassified, long 6-foot-8 prospect from Florida, Cosby is a fluid offensive player with a lockdown defensive game that will be his inevitable calling card. The dearly Dallas-departed Dusty May described him glowingly.

“Lincoln has great size, athleticism and versatility, and he impacts the game in a lot of ways. He can defend multiple positions, rebound, run the floor, and make plays with the ball in his hands. We’re excited to support him through his rehab process and help him come back even stronger.”

Cosby’s retention is important because it gives Boynton a future building block. A player with whom he can work with inside the program and point to as an example of his development. The reclassification cost him a star in the rankings, but it allows him to recover and train at Michigan’s state-of-the-art facilities, learn Boynton’s system and refine the deficiencies in his game.

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