What Vlad Goldin declaring for NBA draft means for Michigan basketball

Michigan basketball fans got excited when Florida Atlantic center Vlad Goldin entered the transfer portal on Monday and for good reason.

The Wolverines are the favorite to land Goldin. It’s not just Michigan reporters saying that either as Jamie Shaw on On3.com wrote that Michigan baskeball is the expected destination for Goldin. That’s if he remains in the college game though.

On Tuesday, Goldin announced that in addition to entering the transfer portal, he declared for the NBA draft. The 7-footer also didn’t rule out a return to FAU. Here’s what it all means from a Michigan basketball perspective.

Should Michigan fans worry about landing Goldin?

I’m not overly concerned about the NBA draft. Any player with pro aspirations should declare for the draft in order to get feedback. Goldin entered the portal as a grad transfer so he has one season left.

It makes sense to see what NBA scouts think about his game. Whether he heads to Michigan, back to FAU, or somewhere else, it’s smart to take advantage of the pre-draft process.

The Wolverines went through this with Olivier Nkamhoua. He was considering the NBA last season as well as Michigan basketball. Goldin can do the same but Dusty May has a relationship with him. He recruited Goldin and developed him.

You’d think there’s a good chance Goldin will follow his former head coach, especially now that he’s in the transfer portal. Michigan will need to be competitive with NIL. But outside of that, it feels like a slam dunk.

It might take longer for an announcement and it adds to the uncertainty. But in the long run, if Goldin plays college basketball next season, which is likely, there’s a good chance he does it for Michigan.