Updated April 23, 2026, 9:28 a.m. ET
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.
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.
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. Estrella is a notable addition, but he’s seen more as a four (or a five in a small lineup).
Michigan is looking to pair him with a true rim protector, which is why the Wolverines brought in Cincinnati’s Moustapha Thiam for a visit earlier this week. By all accounts, Michigan felt good when he left campus.
A person with knowledge of the coaching staff’s plans but not authorized to speak publicly said of the visit went “really well” and it appeared that the goals from both sides aligned.
They were not 100% sure on the timeline, but said the belief is Thiam’s camp is close to making a decision so those around Michigan have their “fingers crossed” some good news will come in somewhat soon.
The former All-Big 12 honorable mention has several high-major options. Thiam also visited St. John’s, and Arkansas and Kansas are also making a notable push.
The Wolverines have established development bona fides with their centers the past two years under coach Dusty May, with Vladislav Goldin and Mara each showing noticeable improvement. Thiam, who averaged 12.8 points and 7.1 rebounds a night for the Bearcats, would likely also benefit.
He blocked 88 shots as a freshman at UCF and 50 at Cincinnati as a sophomore, which is a skill set U-M desires, in addition to having a plethora of front line size that can overwhelm opponents.
Michigan has operated under the premise of more bigs, more problems (for others) and that finding a way to get them to work together (like Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin or Mara and Johnson) is all part of the process.
There’s a belief Estrella and Thiam would pair quite well together.
In addition to Mara and Johnson, U-M lost star wing Yaxel Lendeborg, as well as Will Tschetter (eligibility) and Malick Kordel (transfer to Minnesota). If Mara and Johnson do leave, 2026-27 will feature almost a complete overhaul of the frontcourt.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if U-M did bring in another big man off the radar to help supplement the depth, but right now, Thiam remains the top target for the Wolverines in the frontcourt as Michigan looks to build a roster that is capable of going back-to-back.
Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
