Michigan Basketball: Analyzing fit of transfer guard Devin Carter

One transfer portal guard that Michigan basketball has shown interest in is Devin Carter from South Carolina and here’s a look at how he might fit. 

Michigan basketball’s roster is sure to be in flux over the next few months as players decide whether to return, head to the NBA draft, or enter the transfer portal.

One domino fell on Wednesday as Brandon Johns entered the transfer portal. It’s not all that surprising. Johns did play four seasons with one that didn’t count due to COVID-19, so he still has a year of eligibility.

But Michigan doesn’t have any scholarships available right now. Johns and Adrien Nunez are expected to graduate and not return. That will still leave U-M with zero room for scholarships.

Some departures are expected, either through the draft or the portal. The number could be as many as 4-5 openings or as few as one. We just don’t know.

There haven’t been any Michigan basketball players showing up in NBA mock drafts and with Hunter Dickinson showing up at the spring game decked out in Michigan gear, you have to wonder if he’s being floated some big-time NIL offers to stay one more year.

Even if he stays, I expect there to be at least one opening due to a transfer and if that’s the case, Michigan basketball should use that spot on a guard. It doesn’t have to be a point guard or even a combo guard but the Wolverines need more depth and one solid option is Devin Carter of South Carolina, a former four-star recruit.

How Carter would fit with Michigan basketball

Carter was ranked 94th overall in the 2021 recruiting class and he’s got ties to Juwan. His dad is Anthony Carter (not from Michigan) and played in the NBA. He also worked with the Miami Heat at the same time as Juwan and according to Chris Balas of The Wolverine (subscription required), there has been contact.

The 6-foot-3 guard from Miami, Florida started seven games last season and played 30 for South Carolina. He didn’t shoot the ball really well (42 percent overall) and made just 26 percent of his 3-pointers, in addition to shooting 68 percent at the free-throw line.

His usage was 27 percent but his PER was 17.7 and there’s a reason he was an All-SEC freshman. His defensive play was better than this offense but that wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Michigan basketball desperately needs someone who can guard the two. Kobe Bufkin can certainly grow more into that role but it was a real weakness for the defense last season and Carter could help with that. He could also be an option to compete with Bufkin to start.

Carter wouldn’t necessarily fill the shooting need that Michigan has, but if Caleb Houstan returns, that need won’t be as drastic. Jett Howard should help with shooting woes too and don’t forget about Will Tschetter.

The pursuit of Carter depends on the rest of the roster. If Houstan is gone, the Wolverines would need more shooting and that could impact their thoughts on taking Carter.

So there are some obstacles to making it happen but as the roster takes shape, he’s someone to keep in mind, although a bunch of schools are already in the mix.