Michigan basketball waits for 'good news' from target Moustapha Thiam

There are a lot of moving parts for Michigan basketball as it looks to put together its 2026-27 roster, many of which are in the frontcourt. The Wolverines are still waiting on official decisions from the starting bigs on last season's national title team, as both Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. mull their NBA futures versus the prospect of returning to college one more year.

Frankly, both seem to be trending toward the NBA. Aday Mara told the Free Press earlier this month if he found out he was a top-20 pick, he would opt for the draft. Then, on Wednesday, April 22, the Free Press learned that the Wolverines' staff believes there's a "75%" chance Johnson also goes to the NBA.

Of the two, he's the more likely returning option and while U-M is keeping a spot open, it's not overly confident about a return. WHAT A YEAR IT WAS: Yaxel Lendeborg refused to bail. Now he's a Michigan basketball legend.

With U-M operating under the premise it will have to replace Mara, that leaves a glaring need for a true center. Incoming transfer J. P.