Michigan is currently in the middle of its Summer Tour outside of the country, seeing its first bit of game action with a new squad under new head coach Mike Boynton. The Wolverines have been banged up a bit in a few games so far, but the biggest injury might have just come in Thursday's exhibition to one of Michigan's best freshmen.
Five-star freshman Brandon McCoy is one of Michigan's most promising young players heading into the 2026 season and is even projected to be a starter for the Wolverines. About 20 seconds into Michigan's exhibition against Serbian club Mega Superbet, McCoy was driving to the basket on what looked like a fast break and slipped under the basket as he was going in for the layup.
The fall did not look good, and it was reported that McCoy had to be carried off the court. McCoy was in noticeable pain, and he is most likely done for the day.
Michigan freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. was carried off the court just 20 seconds into Michigan’s exhibition game pic.twitter.com/xbaBEiTQgY
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) August 27, 2026
There is no word yet as to what the nature of the injury is for McCoy, but based on the way he went down, it can't be good. McCoy isn't the first Wolverine to go down with an injury during their European exhibitions, with the first one being Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam when his leg was rolled up on six minutes into Michigan's exhibition against the Lithuanian National Team.
Brandon McCoy's injury could be detrimental to Michigan's title defense
After winning the National Championship in April, Michigan lost its entire frontcourt and head coach to the NBA, leaving a lot of holes in the starting lineup. The good news was that Dusty May signed a stellar 2026 recruiting class before departing for the Dallas Mavericks, and every recruit chose to stick with Mike Boynton this season.
McCoy was the darling of this class as the only five-star recruit and is expected to play a huge role for a Michigan team that will be defending its title this upcoming season. The Wolverines saw the return of vets Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKinney, but McCoy was seen as the Yaxel Lendeborg replacement Michigan needed, even as a 6-foot-5, 190-pound point guard.
If McCoy's injury ends up being serious enough to take him out for part of or the entire season, Boynton will have to turn to other freshmen and transfer portal pickups to step up. LSU transfer Jalen Reed and latest transfer portal pickup Kenny Noland from Columbia would be the most likely options with college basketball experience.
When it comes to other freshmen, Florida natives Lincoln Cosby and Joseph Hartman are the likely candidates. While early competition like this can be helpful for a new team trying to gel, there is also the risk of an injury like this. So here'shoping McCoy's injury isn't anything serious, and he can be back on the hardwood soon.
Add us as a preferred source on Google