The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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DECEMBER 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 41 ❱ MICHIGAN BASKETBALL out of schools, you move towns. They have to find new friends. They have to find a new community everywhere. And our guys in our locker room have em- braced them. I don't think they've ever felt like they're talking to the coach's son, I think they've always felt like they're talking to one of their team- mates, and we keep that line where I want, especially during the season. "I want him to be that player on that team, versus being my son. It's cool to see him have that much fun playing with these guys. [Our managers and walk- ons] show up every day and practice and just serve in any way possible. So, to be rewarded with a Division I bucket, it's pretty cool. "Just happy for him. But more than anything else, just excited to see the family group chat tonight buzzing." Charlie May, who is described as a "tireless worker and valuable team- mate" on his official team profile, started his career at Central Florida in 2022-23 and played 6 games in 2023-24 off the bench before moving to Michigan with his father prior to last season. Sopho- more Eli May is also part of the program as a manager. Charlie May has another season of eligibility remaining, but told The Wol- verine's Clayton Sayfie over the summer that his status is "up in the air" after this season. "Honestly, I'm just personally trying to enjoy every day, whether it's hang- ing out with the guys, whether it's doing conditioning, going all out on weights," the Michigan guard said. "I'm really trying to be present every day, and I'm thinking about it like, 'Oh, this could be my last year.' I'm really just trying to en- joy every second of it, because I don't want to look back at it with any regrets at what could be my last year of college basketball." — Anthony Broome Three Best Players 1. Junior center Aday Mara: The 7-foot-3, 255-pounder had a rough game in the 67-63 win over Texas Christian Nov. 14, but he was arguably the most impactful Wolverine in the first two games, a 121-78 victory over Oakland Nov. 3 (12 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 blocks) and the 85-84 overtime triumph against Wake Forest Nov. 11 (18 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 blocks, 1 steal). In the Wake Forest win, Mara played 37 of a possible 45 minutes, impressive at his size, and was impactful every single possession on defense, in addition to the production he brought on the offensive end. His rim protection is elite, and the Wolverines are much bet- ter on that end of the floor when he's in the game, allowing 94.2 points per 100 possessions with him and 106.5 without, per CBB Analytics. 2. Junior guard Elliot Cadeau: The 6-foot-1, 180-pound West Or- ange, N.J., native hasn't shot the ball well — 30 percent on twos, 33.3 percent on threes — but his passing has been a difference- maker, with a 37.3 percent assist rate that checks in top 50 in the nation. He posted 14 assists in the win over Oakland, tied for the third-most a Michigan player has ever had in a game, and added 7 in the Wake Forest victory, when he also scored 17 points. He also endured a tough night versus TCU but was one of the steadiest play- ers in the first two games. 3. Graduate forward Yaxel Lendeborg: The 6-foot-9, 240-pounder performed like an "all-league player," according to head coach Dusty May, while battling through a right hand injury in the opener against Oakland, registering 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block in only 22 minutes. The Pennsauken, N.J., native had an off night against Wake Forest but earned KenPom MVP honors in the victory over TCU, posting 14 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks. He came alive in the middle of the second half to spark the comeback victory, and made all 5 of his free throw attempts to help the Wol- verines hang on. Key Moment Michigan trailed by seven points, 77-70, with just under five min- utes remaining in the Nov. 11 game against Wake Forest — in the danger zone. The odds were not in the Wolverines' favor, but they tied it 77-77 minutes later, forced overtime and won by one point in the extra session. Senior guard Roddy Gayle Jr. tied the game at 77- 77 with a steal and three-pointer on the other end, one of the most important sequences of the early season. Best Highlight Aday Mara's size stands out early this season. The tallest player in Michigan program history, the 7-foot-3 big man has excelled down low, blocking 11 shots in three games, including 5 in each of the first two. With Mara on the floor, Michigan has blocked 17.6 percent of opponents' two-point field goal attempts, and he's even deflected a three-pointer. Mara has a team-high 9 dunks this season. His height has made for several highlight-worthy plays early on. Bold Prediction At the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas during Thanksgiving week, Michigan will win its round-robin group, beating San Diego State and Auburn, and advance to the championship rounds. The Wolverines haven't played their best ball so far, but San Diego State hasn't been tested, with no games against top-200 teams on KenPom, and Auburn is finding its way under new head coach Steven Pearl, even though it gave Houston (No. 3, KenPom) a scare, losing by one point Nov. 16. — Clayton Sayfie Superlatives For U-M's Three Games From Nov. 3 To Nov. 14 Grad transfer forward Yaxel Lendeborg averaged 11.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game through the Wolverines' first three contests. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL