Michigan Basketball: What Colin Castleton transfer means for Wolverines

Just a few weeks ago, Michigan basketball was in a heap of trouble in terms of scholarships and has since cleared out. Could there be more additions to the team?

First, David DeJulius entered the transfer portal, expecting to find a better situation for himself outside of Michigan basketball. Then Juwan’s son, Jace Howard, refused a scholarship opportunity, instead, he will stay with the team next season as a walk-on.

Finally, the latest news comes from the Colin Castleton camp. Colin, like David, has entered the transfer portal.

This last one makes sense. Of course, it did as well for DDJ.

Incoming PG Zeb Jackson is expected to get some playing time, and Eli Brooks was unlikely to remain at the SG spot meaning DDJ would have been kept as a possible sixth man or worse if he was unable to beat out Brooks or Zeb.

There’s also the possibility of a completely revamped lineup that doesn’t involve a traditional point guard in certain situations, eliminating the need for someone like DDJ.

For Colin Castleton, the writing was on the wall.

Austin Davis had emerged as the front runner for the backup gig after several outstanding performances. And then Juwan Howard told the media David would be returning for another season for the Wolverines as a fifth year. That plus the combination of the talented freshman center Hunter Dickinson means Colin wouldn’t see the minutes he expects and may be reduced to mop-up time.

Jake Weingarten from Stockrisers was the first to report the breaking news at 12:17 AM last night, and Toledo sports reporter Ashley Babstock confirmed it.

Who’s inbound?

Potentially, on Monday, Joshua Christopher. The 10th overall player nationally is a UM lock according to several sources, and we may just need to play the waiting game on him.

Next, there’s PG Bryce Aiken, the Harvard scoring machine. He’s in the transfer portal and is a perfect fit for the Wolverines. Former head coach John Beilein struggled with keeping players around, but Juwan is embracing the model by targeting one-and-done athletes, or in this case, a grad transfer. Aiken can do everything that’s needed of him and more as a dynamic ball-handler, scorer, defender, and leader.

Potentially, PG Mike Smith from Columbia is an option. Juwan has a certain affinity for scoring guards, and both Aiken and Smith fit the bill.

Finally, there are several other extremely talented hoop stars in the transfer portal and undecided talent heading to college for the first time. Outside of Christopher, four other top ten incoming freshmen for the 2020 class have yet to commit.