The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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DECEMBER 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 57 ❱ BASKETBALL COMMIT PROFILE BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan head men's basketball coach Dusty May continued his incredible start with the addition of his third class of 2025 pledge in shooting guard Trey McKenney from Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary's. McKenney is rated as the No. 21 overall player in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking (a weighted average of the four major re- cruiting services). He chose the Wol- verines over other finalists USC and Georgetown after several visits to U-M this fall. The Hoyas had been considered the leaders for some time before May ar- rived in Ann Arbor, but the Wolverines' first-year coach quickly made the in- state guard a top priority. McKenney and his family visited Ann Arbor several times, took in practices and even sat behind the bench when Michigan played Oakland in an exhibition at Little Cae- sar's Arena in Detroit on Oct. 20. McKenney's September official visit to Ann Arbor "answered a lot of ques- tions," On3's Jamie Shaw reported in the weeks leading to the announcement. "Those sources told me that after the visit, things started trending heavily to- ward Michigan." McKenney announced his decision on a 247Sports livestream via YouTube Nov. 9. "I chose Michigan because of the family aspect and the coaching staff," McKenney said. "Outside of that, I grew up watching Michigan since I was a kid. They were always my dream school. It all fell together with their playing style and academics. So, it was the best deci- sion for me. "It means a lot for someone like me to have the opportunity to stay home and play for Michigan. Every level I've been at, I've stayed in-state. I really want to put on for my state and make an impact at Michigan." May made him a priority immediately after taking the Michigan job, McKen- ney told On3 earlier this fall, noting that he saw players immediately buying in. He has high goals for his first collegiate season — NCAA Tournament, advance deep in the Big Ten Tournament, and to win Big Ten Freshman of the Year and National Freshman of the Year — and he has the ability to accomplish all that if he continues to put the work in, Shaw told us. "He's somebody that just knows how to make a play," Shaw said. "He's not the tallest, not the most athletic, but coming from the area he comes from — I know [MSU coach] Tom Izzo had a lot of success with guys from that general area going on with the toughness, physicality they play with. "McKenney brings that same kind of mentality. The sum of what he brings is greater than individual parts he has. He just knows how to go out there and [generate] production." The 6-foot-4, 205-pound guard led St. Mary's to a 27-1 record and the Di- vision 1 state championship this past season, earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors for the state of Michigan in averaging 22.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. "He's the best player in the state of Michigan," Shaw said. "The physicality he brings — I think Dusty has had success with guys like Trey in his system at Florida Atlantic, too. … He has a sturdily built base and a plus wingspan, a great feel for the game, and he's an adept, multi-level scorer. He has range that extends beyond the arc; he shoots with consistency and good balance. What he lacks in burst, he makes up for with pace." He's a "solid passer," too, Shaw added, and a great fit with fellow top- 100 commits Winters Grady, a small forward scorer, and Oscar Goodman, a solid international power forward. "If that ends up being the three- man class, there's going to be a lot to be happy about in Ann Arbor," Shaw said. ❑ U-M Lands Pledge From Elite In-State Guard Trey McKenney McKenney led Orchard Lake St. Mary's to a 27-1 record and the Division 1 state championship this past season, earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors for the state of Michigan after averag- ing 22.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. PHOTO COURTESY ON3