After a few disappointing years, the Michigan Wolverines gained new life in their debut season under head coach Dusty May. The Wolverines won the Big Ten Conference championship in his first season and made it to the NCAA championship Sweet 16 before falling to the Auburn Tigers.
In the midst of a busy transfer portal period that has dominated college basketball, they are now hoping to build on that momentum with one of the most successful offseasons to date.
With the arrival of UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg, one of the best big players in the country, Michigan strengthened its frontcourt even further on Friday.
Aday Mara, a 7-foot-3 center, was acquired by May and the Wolverines from UCLA, another Big Ten school. In just 13 minutes per game last season, Mara averaged 6.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks.
The Spanish center is anticipated to be selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, according to ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony. With Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf controlling the majority of the touches last season, Michigan’s frontcourt placed a premium on length and interior presence; his size brings a special aspect to the team.
Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr., and Elliot Cadeau have now been removed from the gateway by Michigan. In addition, Roddy Gayle Jr. and Will Tschetter are returning, and it is hoped that Nimari Burnett will return to Ann Arbor for a third season.
However, May is laying a solid foundation, and as they continue to reload, the Wolverines are positioning themselves as one of the Big Ten’s greatest threats going into the upcoming season.
