Even a National Championship couldn't save Michigan from a major exodus this past season. While few players left for the transfer portal, Michigan lost its entire front court to the NBA Draft, with Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, and Morez Johnson Jr. all taking the next step to the professional level.
That meant head coach Dusty May had a lot of work to do in the transfer portal, even with a solid freshman class coming to Ann Arbor this season. May was able to land some solid transfers out of the portal, including Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella, who is already putting in the work to be exactly what Michigan needs him to be next season.
247Sports Michigan writer, Brice Marich, reported that Estrella has been hard at work in the gym so far this offseason, not just sharpening his skills under the basket, but also extending his range. Estrella has been working on his three-point shooting a lot this offseason, hoping to add to his skillset for the Wolverines next season.
#Michigan PF J.P. Estrella has been working on expanding his game this off-season especially his three-ball shooting 👀
— Brice Marich (@BriceMarich) June 16, 2026
The former #Tennessee big man was considered one of the top players in the transfer portal. pic.twitter.com/9YDHsTYQpx
Dusty May won big time bringing in former Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella
The transfer portal this offseason felt more like a bidding war, and while Michigan won a couple of auctions, the Wolverines lost out on some top talent, as well. Louisville ended up being one of the biggest spenders this offseason, and while Michigan may not have spent the most, May has always had a knack for finding talent in the portal that can compete.
Michigan won its National Championship with a starting five consisting exclusively of transfer portal additions. May has an eye for talent, and he saw something in Estrella in the portal. The Tennessee forward was one of the top-rated players in the portal, and choosing Michigan was a huge win for May.
Estrella's numbers may not necessarily jump off the stat sheet from last season, averaging just 10 points per game, 5.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists, but in a new system in Ann Arbor, that could change quickly. May was able to hone Lendeborg's game, especially with the star Wolverine coming from a Group of Six school, learning what power conference basketball felt like.
Michigan brought in size from the portal with Moustapha Thiam out of Cincinnati, and Estrellas adds to that, coming to Ann Arbor at 6-foot-11. If Estrella can really stretch his shooting range beyond the three-point arc, he could become a real problem to guard for opposing defenses.
Will opponents work to keep the ball out of the paint with the 7-foot-2 Thiam looming, or do they leave the massive center open to try and defend the three-ball against Estrella? It is a tough call and one that Estrella can force on opponents if he can continue to refine his three-point shot.
Michigan's starting five will look very different this season, but Estrella could become an asset many didn't expect to see for the Wolverines, and could be the key to another National Championship in Ann Arbor.
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