A New Chapter for Michigan’s Alumni
The 2026 NBA Draft opened with a surprise for the Michigan Wolverines, as several of their recent standouts heard their names called among the first selections.
Nimari Burnett, who helped the Wolverines capture a national championship under coach Dusty May, signed an Exhibit‑10 contract with the Toronto Raptors after going undrafted. In his final college season he posted 8.2 points per game and shot 38 percent from three‑point range, numbers that hinted at a promising perimeter skill set.
Roddy Gayle Jr., a former Ohio State transfer who contributed 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds off the bench for Michigan, reached a similar agreement with the Detroit Pistons. His journey to Ann Arbor was unconventional, but his defensive versatility and rebounding instincts earned him a spot on the Pistons’ summer roster.
Meanwhile, forward Will Tschetter has taken his game overseas, joining the Warwick Senators in Australia’s NBL League. There he is averaging 28.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, quickly becoming one of the league’s most prolific scorers.
The varied trajectories of Burnett, Gayle and Tschetter underscore a broader trend: Michigan’s basketball alumni are no longer confined to a single pathway. With guidance from coaches like Mike Boynton and support from the university’s robust development program, they are carving out professional opportunities across the NBA, summer leagues, and international courts.