Basketball Transfer Portal: Has Michigan Found A New Target?

According to reports, there is significant interest between both sides.

Michigan basketball has had quite the offseason. It seemed like for every get, the Wolverines would then lose a big piece of the puzze. But things finally went Michigan's way when it got a commitment from Tennesee transfer Olivier Nkamhoua. 

Even with the addition of Nkamhoua, Michigan still has two open scholarships to potentially fill for the 2023-24 basktetball season. It seemed like former Rutgers guard Paul Mulcahy may be the answer to one of those spots, but he ultimately went to Washington. The maize and blue were also after Kentucky's Antiono Reeves, but he never did pull the trigger to enter the poral and stayed a Wildcat.

So what's next for Juwan Howard and Michgian?

Well, according to multiple reports, the Wolverines are after West Virginia guard Jose Perez who entered the transfer portal hours ago on Wednesday. 

West Virginia transfer Jose Perez tells me he’s officially in the portal.

He says Gonzaga and Michigan are the first two schools to reach out. https://t.co/9TtFhNXDnm

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) July 5, 2023

Perez is quite the journeyman. He started his career in 2018-19 at Gardner-Webb where he played two season and averaged 15.1 and 15.2 points per game. He then transferred to Marquette where he saw limited playing time and transferred once again, this time to Manhattan college. He averaged 18.9 points per game in 2021-22 and was First-Team All-MAAC. He hoped to play for Bob Huggins and West Virginia last season, but his waiver was denied for immediate eligibility and now that Huggins is gone, Perez is on the move again. But this time, he will be a graduate transfer and be granted immediate eligibility. 

Perez is an interesting player. He's 6-foot-5 but isn't much of a 3-point shooter -- he averaged under 29% from deep the past three seasons he played. During his three years he was the 'man' at Gardner-Webb and Manhatten he averaged putting up 12-to-15 shots per game, so he likes to get to the rim and score. He has the ability to rebound (nearly five rebounds per game) and can dish the rock when needed (averages over four assists per game)

If Juwan Howard can land Perez, he could create a whole new dynamic for Michigan. The Wolverines are really forward heavy, but Perez can play the '1', '2', '3', or even '4' if Howard wants to play small ball. 

According to former Rivals and 247Sports writer, Davis Moseley, both sides are extremley interested and the deal could be done soon.

Michigan brought in Nimari Burnett (Alabama), Tray Jackson (Seton Hall), and Olivier Nkamhoua (Tennessee) from the portal this offeseason.