Michigan basketball transfer J.P. Estrella reportedly staying

Christian Romo, Detroit Free PressThu, Jul 2, 2026·1 min read

Michigan basketball is reportedly retaining a big transfer.

According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Tennessee transfer J.P. Estrella plans on staying with Michigan next season despite the departure of former U-M coach Dusty May. Per Thamel, Estrella "quickly bonded" with U-M interim coach Mike Boynton, whom the University officially appointed as the interim on June 23.

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Estrella's re-commitment follows that of 7-foot-2 Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam, who according to On3's Joe Tipton said he would stay in Michigan on June 30.

Estrella averaged 10 points and 5.4 rebounds per game over 33 games as a junior with Tennessee in 2025-26, spending his first three seasons in Knoxville before transferring to Michigan. He and Thiam were part of a three-person transfer class brought in by May following the Wolverines' national championship in April.

But with May leaving for the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, it opened an opportunity for Michigan players to transfer elsewhere. So far, however, Michigan has gotten further commitments from many of its most important players, including senior point guard Elliot Cadeau and sophomore shooting guard Trey McKenney.

It will still be a challenge to find replacements for Michigan's outgoing players, however, with big men Morez Johnson Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara all selected within the first 12 picks of the 2026 NBA Draft. Michigan basketball will also be missing May, who in two years led the Wolverines to a Big Ten tournament title, a Big Ten regular season title and the program's second-ever national championship in April.

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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball transfer J.P. Estrella reportedly staying