Top transfer target off the board for Michigan basketball, others setting up visits

Michigan basketball has missed on one of its top transfer portal targets but is trending toward hosting two other players for visits.
Jan 27, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA;  Iowa Hawkeyes forward Owen Freeman (32) looks to score as Ohio State Buckeyes center Ivan Njegovan (17) defends during the first half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Jan 27, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Owen Freeman (32) looks to score as Ohio State Buckeyes center Ivan Njegovan (17) defends during the first half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images | Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Michigan basketball was one of the teams connected to Iowa center Owen Freeman when he entered the transfer portal, and with the impending departure of Vlad Goldin, it felt like a perfect fit.

However, Freeman was pursued heavily by Creighton, which hosted him and fellow Iowa transfer Josh Dix for visits this week. Dix hasn't committed yet and Michigan basketball hasn't shown any interest there anyway, but Freeman pulled the trigger on a commitment Wednesday night, taking him off the board for the Wolverines.

There were reports that the Bluejays paid over $2 million to secure Freeman. Michigan might not have been willing to go that high but that's where we are now.

However, there is some positive news on the transfer portal front.

Michigan basketball in the mix for a pair of transfer portal guards

According to Jamie Shaw of On3.com, Michigan basketball will host Delaware transfer Izaiah Pasha, who averaged 11.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. He's listed as a small forward according to On3, but played point guard last season for the Blue Hens.

Pasha will also visit Louisville. Another dynamic guard, Jalen Jackson, from Purdue Fort Wayne, is also working on a visit to Michigan basketball according to Shaw. Jackson held a Zoom meeting with Butler, and is also looking at trips to Clemson, Notre Dame, and Tennessee.

Jackson averaged over 19 points per game last season to go along with 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists. The 6-foot-2 guard scored 27 points at Michigan in a loss earlier this season.

Michigan basketball reaches out to new transfer portal big man

According to Joe Tipton, the Wolverines have reached out to another big man in the transfer portal and that's former Rutgers center Lathan Sommerville. The freshman averaged 8.2 points and 4.1 rebounds for the Scarlet Knights last season.

Sommerville only attempted nine 3-pointers last season, making one. So he's not a floor-spacing big man, but he shot 52.7 percent on 2-point attempts this season and was an 86 percent free-throw shooter (on 95 attempts). He's also a solid offensive rebounder and averaged 0.6 blocks per game in 20 minutes per night for Scarlet Knights.

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