March 28, 2026, 6:02 p.m. ET
CHICAGO − Michigan basketball has its first constructing block for subsequent season.
Trey McKenney, a Flint native who has loved a standout freshman season for the Wolverines, plans to return to Ann Arbor for his sophomore season, he instructed the Detroit Free Press.
His name has been floated in NBA draft circles and the switch portal is at all times a menace to each staff, each offseason, however McKenney says he is completely dedicated to Michigan.
“Definitely planning on coming back next year,” he stated. “We’re going to have a really talented team next year, I came in with a role this year and I think my role would definitely expand next year, so I’m definitely looking forward to coming back.”
McKenney has performed in all 37 video games for Michigan this yr, averaging 9.7 factors and a couple of.7 rebounds per recreation. He shoots 46.2% from the ground and 38.5% from 3 on greater than 4 makes an attempt per recreation. The former McDonald’s All-American and 2025 Michigan Mr. Basketball at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s has had plenty of sturdy performances in his first collegiate marketing campaign, maybe the largest of which got here in U-M’s final recreation.
McKenney scored 17 points on 5-for-7 shooting in a 90-77 Sweet 16 victory over Alabama, which included three 3-pointers. He’s made probably the most 3s (62) of any U-M participant this season, regardless of coming off the bench and taking part in beneath 22 minutes per recreation.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound guard got here into school already constructed for the Big Ten, however after a yr of seasoning, there is a perception he may go from his All-Freshman Big Ten standing to one thing a lot bigger in 2026-27.
“I don’t want to put any, I guess, expectations … but I think he’s going to be one of the best guards in the Big Ten and if you’re one of the best guards in the Big Ten then you’re going to be one of the best guards in the country next year,” Michigan coach Dusty May stated. “We’re excited, in the beginning due to how onerous he is going to work and the way a lot time he places into it.
“To see him do that late within the season, when a variety of freshmen have hit a wall … he is simply continued to enhance.”
An NBA draft analyst told the Free Press that if McKenney decided to declare for the draft, he likely would’ve been a second round pick, but given there’s not a big body of work (he didn’t run the point, came off the bench is slightly undersized for a true shooting guard in the NBA), a return to college makes sense to improve his draft stock.
Roddy Gayle Jr., who McKenney called “certainly one of his greatest pals” thinks the sky is the limit for McKenney. Gayle called McKenney “a sponge” and thinks that with a summer of the right work, he can become “a extremely good playmaker.”
“That’s the subsequent step,” Gayle said. “He is aware of he has room to develop, nevertheless it’s the maturity stage from him – you do not actually have a look at him like a youngster, however that is what he’s.
“Over the course of the season, he’s been able to grow in my eyes and I kind of look at him as a veteran, but he’s still a little kid.”
Michigan is exceedingly assured he will take the subsequent step this summer season and there is not any motive to doubt U-M will have the NIL compensation to match what a participant of his caliber garners within the present market.
“He’s all about the film, the shooting, the wights, taking care of his body,” May stated. “He’s a professional with how he works every day.”
Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat author for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and comply with him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
