Checking in on five-star Trey McKenney, Michigan’s first McDonald’s All-American in four years

For the first time in four years, an incoming #Michigan Basketball recruit — five-star Trey McKenney — has been named a McDonald’s All American:

For the first time in four years, an incoming Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball recruit has been named a McDonald’s All-American.

Five-star Orchard Lake St. Mary’s guard Trey McKenney was named a McDonald’s All-American earlier this week. He’s one of just two McDonald’s All-Americans currently committed to Big Ten schools, with the other being Washington forward Niko Bundalo.

As Clayton Sayfie with The Wolverine pointed out on Monday, McKenney is the first incoming Michigan player to be named a McDonald’s All-American since Caleb Houstan, Moussa Diabate and Kobe Bufkin in 2021.

With less than a month to go in McKenney’s senior season, let’s check in on how he’s doing at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.

Highlights, how McKenney could look in Dusty May’s offense

Through 14 games , McKenney has led the Eaglets to an 8-6 record. That record includes a narrow 67-62 loss to prep factory IMG Academy. In that matchup, McKenney had 37 points, with 29 coming in the first half.

Unfortunately, McKenney suffered a hand injury in that same game and has not been able to play since then.

McKenney showed in that loss he can score at all three levels and finish through contact. He also showcased a fearlessness in taking defenders one-on-one off the dribble for buckets that made the crowd go crazy. McKenney wasn’t afraid to let it fly from deep, something Dusty May is going to love when the guard gets to Ann Arbor.

The more I watch McKenney, the more impressed I am with his versatile scoring ability. He’s not purely a driver or a three-point shooter, and that versatility makes him a tough cover for opposing guards. I also love how compact he is at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds — he absorbs contact driving to the lane like a running back, and it doesn’t throw him off his path like it does for other guards.

McKenney has the talents as a scorer to play right away in Ann Arbor. With Nimari Burnett and Rubin Jones out of eligibility, it’s easy to see McKenney sliding into the starting lineup and playing alongside Tre Donaldson.

At his absolute floor, McKenney could slide into Burnett’s shotmaker role beautifully with more playmaking upside. If Danny Wolf returns for his senior season, a pick-and-roll between him and McKenney could be lethal. I could also see McKenney playing well alongside Justin Pippen, with Pippen showing flashes as a facilitator in limited minutes this season. McKenney playing alongside L.J. Cason would give Michigan two impressive one-on-one scorers, a luxury during the slog of Big Ten play.

McKenney still has a month of basketball to play when you factor in the playoffs. We’ll check back in on the elite guard — May’s first five-star commit — when his high school career has come to a close.

If you’re interested in reading more about McKenney, I wrote about the recruitment process and how McKenney fits at Michigan back in November.