A Global Warm‑Up
The Michigan men's basketball program, under head coach Dusty May, is set to embark on an international preseason tour that will take the Wolverines to Lithuania and Croatia in August. The swing includes three exhibition matchups against the Lithuania Men's National Team and additional contests that will also serve as a platform for extra preseason practices and team‑building activities.
The trip comes as the team looks to replace graduating seniors Yaxel Lendeborg, Roddy Gayle Jr., Nimari Burnett and Will Tschetter, while integrating a core that features returning stars Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney. New transfers Moustapha Thiam, JP Estrella and Jaden Reed are expected to anchor the front court, giving the Wolverines a fresh mix of size and skill.
Among the newcomers, Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. are projected as first‑round draft picks and have until May 26 to decide whether to remain in the NBA Draft. The roster also reserves a spot for Morez Johnson Jr., who may still opt for the professional route, while Brandon McCoy, the No. 10 overall recruit in the high school class, is expected to join the squad and help boost the recruiting class, which sits at No. 4 nationally according to 247Sports.
Coach Dusty May emphasized that the European games will provide a valuable test for chemistry, allowing the team to fine‑tune rotations before the 2026‑27 season begins. The tour also aligns with the program’s tradition of traveling abroad every four years, marking its fourth such excursion since the initiative started in 2010.
Draft Watch
The deadline for early‑entry candidates is fast approaching, and players such as Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr., and others will need to submit withdrawal paperwork by May 26 to preserve eligibility. The coaching staff, including Dusty May, is monitoring these decisions closely as they shape the final roster composition.