Wolverines’ Best Player of 2024-25 Season

At the center of this resurgence stands 7'1" senior Vladislav Goldin, whose consistent dominance in the paint earned him first-team All-Big Ten honors from conference coaches. The Russian-born center, who previously played for Texas Tech and Florida Atlantic, averaged 16.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting at a remarkably efficient clip throughout the season.

As the season unfolded, Goldin emerged as the undisputed backbone of the team. When the offense stagnated or outside shots weren't falling, Goldin provided the reliable interior presence that kept the Wolverines competitive in every contest.

It was his consistency during periods of struggle that made Goldin such an invaluable asset. As the team faced a frustrating late-season regression, including losses in four of their final six games, Goldin remained a steadfast offensive force. His efficient scoring, defensive anchoring, and leadership proved remarkable as Michigan navigated injuries to key players like Sam Walters and Rubin Jones.

In those critical moments when Michigan needed someone to deliver, Goldin consistently answered the call. His dominant physical presence in the paint, combined with an improving face-up game and commendable mid-range touch, made him one of the conference's most difficult matchups.

Fellow seven-footer Danny Wolf also earned second-team All-Big Ten recognition, averaging 12.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, complementing Goldin's interior dominance. The frontcourt duo gave Michigan one of the conference's most formidable offenses.

Once relegated to basketball irrelevance, the Wolverines are now positioned to make noise in the NCAA Tournament and continue their resurgence under May's leadership. Vlad Goldin’s presence was felt throughout the Big Ten Tournament as the Wolverines knocked off the Wisconsin Badgers 59-53 in the final game before the 2025 NCAA tournament.

Michigan closed the game on an 11-2 run to overcome a slight Wisconsin lead in the final minutes. With stellar defensive performances from Goldin, Michigan won three games in three days, a stark turnaround from from their late season stumble. 

At the heart of this revival stands Goldin, whose consistent excellence throughout a season of transition firmly establishes him as Michigan's most valuable player and a cornerstone of what appears to be a new golden era for Wolverines basketball.