When the transfer portal and high school recruiting are combined, Michigan basketball has the top-ranked class of incoming ahead of the 2026-27 season.
That's according to 247 Sports and considering the Wolverines just won the national championship, and have their backcourt set, that's not a bad place to be.
Moustapha Thiam committed on Friday, adding another key piece to the starting lineup. The 7-foot-2 big man has top-10 potential. During his last nine games, he averaged 17.9 points per game, seven rebounds, and two blocks, in addition to shooting 39 percent from 3.
J.P. Estrella from Tennessee will be the other starting big, assuming Morez Johnson stays in the NBA draft, which it seems like he will. That leaves one starting spot, with Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney expected to start in the backcourt.
Michigan basketball has had its eye on Wake Forest wing Juke Harris, who entered the portal but also declared for the NBA draft. He's expected to return to college. The 6-foot-7 second-team All-ACC wing last season averaged 21.4 points per game. He was also seventh in the league in rebounds. He would be a great option to fill the spot held by Yaxel Lendeborg last season.
Juke Harris, who will likely declare for the draft today and maintain eligibility, is still a viable option.
— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) April 24, 2026
If not, U-M could go a number of ways. McCoy can play 1-2-3, or they could go with a bigger wing like Oscar Goodman. Costello will play some 3, as will Ricky Liburd. https://t.co/7ZckgPYqqI
Harris visited Michigan weeks ago. He's also considering Tennessee at this point. Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press wrote on X Friday that Harris was still "viable."
Juke Harris alternatives for Michigan basketball
Brandon McCoy, a five-star recruit, who just committed to Michigan in the 2026 class, can play the one, two, or three. That's via Garcia, so you can probably guess that's what a source from the Michigan staff told him.
You are what you can guard, though, and for all intents and purposes, McKenney and McCoy can both be the 2/3, because they can guard those positions. A 6-foot-9 dude like Yaxel would be an issue, but most threes will be in their wheelhouse.
Quinn Costello is a top-50 prospect, could also compete for the spot, along with Oscar Goodman and Ricky Liburd, who was a redshirt this past season.
Harris is option 1A. But Dusty May has others if that doesn't work out.
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