Trey McKenney is the highest ranked recruit to commit to Michigan during Dusty May’s tenure so far, but what can we expect from him as a freshman? We evaluate:
While most high school seniors are busy this time of year planning graduation parties and studying for final exams, Trey McKenney has been busy getting buckets with some of the most talented young players in the country.
A last-minute addition for Team USA, the future Wolverines shined in a win over Team World at the 2025 Nike Hoops Summit, scoring 22 points and grabbing four rebounds in the 124-114 win in Oregon last month.
In that game, McKenney showcased the many skills that made him one of the few five-stars in the 2025 class — knocking down threes in transition (3:09 in video above), switching onto ball handlers and contesting mid-range jumpers (4:10), picking apart the defense in the pick-and-roll to create open looks for teammates (5:58), embracing physicality and lowering his shoulder like a linebacker on drives to the rim for and-ones (6:24), and nailing clutch late-game threes (9:10).
After Team World led most of the second quarter, McKenney played a big factor in Team USA coming back and winning in overtime.
The Flint native is an unbreakable player, and his sturdy frame and gritty game will undoubtedly make him a fan favorite in Ann Arbor.
“I just think when you come out of Flint, there’s a toughness that you have,” he said to Shira Black in the ‘Get To Know’ series for Michigan’s freshmen. “There’s just a toughness and a skill of working hard when you come from Flint because you have to work for what you get.”
McKenney has racked up a number of accomplishments before enrolling in Ann Arbor, leading Orchard Lake St. Marys to a state championship in 2024 and being named Mr. Basketball in 2025. His work ethic is a big reason for those accolades.
“Loving the game — that’s all I know,” he said. “Just loving the game and loving going to the gym every day and going to practice and seeing my teammates … just loving the grind I have to go through to hopefully reach my potential one day.”
We’ve already broken down how talented McKenney is, but will that talent translate into playing time as a freshman? Here’s where the roster stands as of today, May 15.
Players transferring in
- North Carolina G Elliot Cadeau
- Illinois F/C Morez Johnson
- UAB F Yaxel Lendeborg
- UCLA C Aday Mara
Returning players
- G L.J. Cason
- G Roddy Gayle Jr.
- G Nimari Burnett
- F/C Will Tschetter
Starting is certainly not a guarantee for McKenney. Cadeau brings two years of experience at point guard, and Michigan has a few returning options in Burnett, Gayle and Cason. I expect three of those four to start, and as talented as McKenney is, starting four guards would mean that Michigan would usually have one of the smallest starting lineups in the Big Ten.
Could McKenney be the first player off the bench? Absolutely. With his mid-range prowess and playmaking, he seems like a great fit to play alongside Cason’s speed and shooting range. That duo would give Michigan perhaps the best backup backcourt in the Big Ten.
Cason played a little more than 10 minutes per game last season, and 10-12 minutes feels like the bare minimum for McKenney. I don’t expect McKenney to have more than a few DNP-CDs like Cason, but the uptick in pace and size in college basketball often leads to a long learning curve for collegiate guards.
A lot can happen between now and November, but with six months to go before the season, I expect McKenney to start the season playing at least 12 minutes per game and earn more playing time as the year goes along. Once he gets used to Michigan’s offense, the talent will shine through and his playing time could nearly double. Additionally, when it comes to creating his own shot, McKenney is one of Michigan’s best, which will certainly lead to increased playing time when the offense is sputtering.
Once he’s settled into conference play, I wouldn’t be surprised if McKenney leads the Wolverines in scoring in at least a few games and earns a few starts. He’s the most talented player to commit to Michigan under May and has NBA upside. Hopefully he and Michigan go on a lengthy NCAA Tournament or two before he heads to the pros.