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The Michigan men’s basketball team received more positive news on the roster retention front.
Moustapha Thiam, who was viewed as one of the top centers in the transfer portal, is set to stay and play for the Wolverines next season despite Dusty May’s departure, according to multiple reports.
A Michigan assistant coach shared the news on social media shortly after it was reported Tuesday night.
More: Dusty May shares reasons for leaving Michigan, taking Mavericks job
Retaining Thiam is a huge coup for Michigan and interim head coach Mike Boynton Jr. The 7-foot-2, 250-pounder averaged 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots in 27.2 minutes per game last season as a sophomore at Cincinnati and is expected to play a major role in Ann Arbor.
While Thiam can stretch the floor and has room to grow offensively, his greatest impact comes around the rim, particularly on defense. He registered a team-high 50 blocked shots and anchored a Cincinnati defense that ranked No. 10 in KenPom’s defensive efficiency.
“You don’t find many players of his size and ability to move the way he does,” May said in a statement when Thiam signed with the program in April. “He protects the rim, rebounds, runs the floor, and changes the game defensively. He’s still improving, too.”
Thiam headlines a three-man transfer class that ranks No. 12 in the nation, per 247Sports, and includes forwards J.P. Estrella (Tennessee) and Jalen Reed (LSU). The trio will help replace last season’s massive frontcourt — one that featured lottery picks Morez Johnson Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara — that propelled Michigan to its first national title since 1989.
Thiam is the third key piece on the roster who intends to remain at Michigan under Boynton for the 2026-27 campaign after May left for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, along with starting guards Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney.
Since Boynton has the interim tag, the 15-day window for Michigan’s players to enter the transfer portal won’t open until July 24, 31 days after he was appointed. If Boynton does get the interim tag removed, the portal would open five days after that announcement.
[email protected]
@jamesbhawkins
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Transfer center Moustapha Thiam set to stay, play at Michigan
Continue reading...
Moustapha Thiam, who was viewed as one of the top centers in the transfer portal, is set to stay and play for the Wolverines next season despite Dusty May’s departure, according to multiple reports.
A Michigan assistant coach shared the news on social media shortly after it was reported Tuesday night.
More: Dusty May shares reasons for leaving Michigan, taking Mavericks job
Retaining Thiam is a huge coup for Michigan and interim head coach Mike Boynton Jr. The 7-foot-2, 250-pounder averaged 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots in 27.2 minutes per game last season as a sophomore at Cincinnati and is expected to play a major role in Ann Arbor.
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While Thiam can stretch the floor and has room to grow offensively, his greatest impact comes around the rim, particularly on defense. He registered a team-high 50 blocked shots and anchored a Cincinnati defense that ranked No. 10 in KenPom’s defensive efficiency.
“You don’t find many players of his size and ability to move the way he does,” May said in a statement when Thiam signed with the program in April. “He protects the rim, rebounds, runs the floor, and changes the game defensively. He’s still improving, too.”
Thiam headlines a three-man transfer class that ranks No. 12 in the nation, per 247Sports, and includes forwards J.P. Estrella (Tennessee) and Jalen Reed (LSU). The trio will help replace last season’s massive frontcourt — one that featured lottery picks Morez Johnson Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara — that propelled Michigan to its first national title since 1989.
Thiam is the third key piece on the roster who intends to remain at Michigan under Boynton for the 2026-27 campaign after May left for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, along with starting guards Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney.
Since Boynton has the interim tag, the 15-day window for Michigan’s players to enter the transfer portal won’t open until July 24, 31 days after he was appointed. If Boynton does get the interim tag removed, the portal would open five days after that announcement.
[email protected]
@jamesbhawkins
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Transfer center Moustapha Thiam set to stay, play at Michigan
Continue reading...
