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Michigan Hoops Coach Dusty May Makes Bold Proclamation on Freshman 5-Star Guard

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Sep 30, 2025 9:46 PM ET

The Michigan Wolverines basketball team's 2025 recruiting class' crown jewel is five-star shooting guard Trey McKenney, a product of the hoops haven of Flint, Michigan who played his high school ball at St. Mary's High School.

McKenney, who stands 6-feet-4 inches tall and weighs 205 pounds, is entering into an ideal situation with veterans Roddy Gayle, Jr. and Nimari Burnett expected to start training camp ahead of him on the depth chart.

The Wolverines freshman should have plenty of time to grow and soak in lessons from head coach Dusty May, Gayle, Jr., Burnett and others, but according to the latest practice intel from May, he may be too good to keep off the court for very long.

McKenney Surpasses Early Expectations

McKenney has already surpassed expectations according to May, as told to basketball writer Dylan Burkhardt of UMHoops.com.

"Dusty May says Trey McKenney is just a little bit better version of what they expected of him, and they expected a lot out of him," Burkhardt said.

McKenney led St. Mary's to the state of Michigan's Division 1 state championship with averages of 22.8 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.

He piled up 32 points and 10 rebounds in the state championship game and made the USA Basketball Junior National U18 Team in 2024.

McKenney Hones Body, Competes During Offseason

McKenney's body has toned up and become slimmer since high school, May said to Wolverine Wire.

"Well, the guy now, he obviously looks different than he did in high school," he said.

"Much more athletic, much slimmer. When you see guys every day, you don't notice the amount of weight they've dropped because we're with them at least five or six days a week. He's moving better. He's staying in front of the basketball. Just like any freshman, he has really good days, and then he has some other subpar days, just like everyone on our roster.

"But he's been awesome to coach. He wants to be better. He wants to win. He loves representing Michigan. Trey McKenney is a lot of what's right about college basketball."

McKenney Playing Time Outlook

McKenney has a golden opportunity to compete for playing time in Michigan's back court. The Wolverines feature point guard Elliot Cadeau, Burnett and LJ Cason at the shooting guard spots, and Gayle Jr. as a small forward who moonlights at the two-guard position at times.

The Wolverines' mix of distributors (Cadeau and others), rugged defenders (Burnett, Cason and Gayle Jr.) and scorers (Burnett and Gayle Jr. with Cason learning and growing) gives McKenney plenty of body types and styles to test and hone his game in practice.

The Wolverines freshman will likely play at least 15 minutes per game this season with the potential to play 20 plus minutes per game as the year goes on.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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