Dusty May is leaving Michigan basketball, but how many transfers will go out the door with him?
As first reported by ESPN, May is expected to leave to coach the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks in the upcoming season. May was the coach in Ann Arbor for the past two seasons, most recently winning a regular-season Big Ten title and the program’s second national championship.
Michigan has also lost its three key big men to the 2026 NBA Draft, with Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. all declaring to go pro. The Wolverines still have many impact players on the roster currently, including point guard Elliot Cadeau and shooting guard Trey McKenney, but the news of May’s departure might cause some further roster shuffling.
And while those players will have an opportunity to transfer, they aren’t able to move just yet.
Here’s the breakdown of the transfer rules with May reportedly heading to the pros.
NCAA transfer rules for Michigan basketball players
The transfer window has already passed for college players, but Michigan players who wish to leave the program will eventually get a new transfer window to work with.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, NCAA rules allow Michigan players a 15-day transfer window once U-M announces the hiring of its new coach. That window will begin five days after the announcement, giving players some time to decide whether they want to stay in Ann Arbor or leave for another school.
Additionally, if U-M does not announce a hire within 30 days of the announcement of May’s departure (deadline of July 22), then a 15-day transfer window will start at the deadline.
Michigan basketball transfers
The Wolverines had previously signed three transfers for the upcoming season, with the previous school noted in parenthesis.
All three players will be allowed to transfer once again without losing eligibility now that May has left, with every player on the Michigan roster afforded the same opportunity.
McKenney, the 2025 Mr. Michigan Basketball, already agreed to a deal to return to the Wolverines after his freshman season, as has Cadeau, the 2026 Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
Now that May will be heading to the NBA, however, many schools will be sniffing around for Michigan’s top players.
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball transfer rules with Dusty May leaving for NBA
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
