Michigan Basketball: Starting Five Predictions and Player Grades

As the offseason comes to a close, it's time to envision what Michigan's starting five will look like. To give you a clearer picture of the upcoming season, we've outlined our predictions for the starting lineup and provided player grades for the 2024–2025 Wolverines.

PG Tre Donaldson

PPG: 6.7
Reb: 2.4
Ast: 3.2

Who is Tre Donaldson?

Tre Donaldson is a strong, physical, and hard-working guard.  He's a natural leader and is renowned for having excellent ball-handling skills. He has incredible quickness and excels at getting into the paint. Donaldson excels at opening up the floor so his teammates can get involved. He's also a picky shooter, but that's why he's so dangerously accurate.

Donaldson's 2023-24 Stats

• Averaged 6.7 points per game (career-high).
• Posted 10 double-figure games.
• Averaged 2.4 rebounds per game (career-high) Posted. five games with five-plus rebounds.
• Averaged 3.2 assists per game.
• Had 29 steals.
• Played 19.2 minutes per game.
• Posted 16 games of 20-plus minutes.

Player Grade: B

SG Roddy Gayle

PPG: 13.8
Reb: 4.5
Ast: 3.1

Who is Roddy Gayle Jr.?

Gayle is a powerful & athletic guard. Being an elite finisher with a 40-plus inch vertical leap, he thrives in traffic. His long wingspan helps him pull off jumpers even with defenders in his face. He is a formidable and versatile defender who can cause turnovers and ignite the fast break.

Gayle's 2023-24 Stats:

• Played in 36 games, with 35 starts.
• Averaged 13.5 points per game.
• Posted 28 double-figure games.
• Averaged 4.6 rebounds per game.
• Averaged 3.1 assists per game.
• Had 27 steals and six blocks.

Player Grade: A-

SF Rubin Jones

PPG: 11.9
Reb: 3.3
Ast: 3.6

Who is Rubin Jones?

North Texas's all-time winningest player, Jones is battle-tested and confident. Jones excels on defense; his quickness and strength make him capable of defending multiple positions. He has great court vision and always looks to get his teammates involved.

Jones's 2023-24 Season Stats:

• Started in 23 games.
• Missed 11 games due to hamstring injury.
• Averaged 12.1 points per game.
• Posted 13 double-figure games.
• Averaged 3.6 rebounds per game.
• Averaged 3.7 assists per game.
• Averaged 29.5 minutes per game.

Player Grade: B+

PF Danny Wolf

PPG: 14.4
Reb: 9.7
Ast: 2.4

Who is Danny Wolf?

Wolf is an aggressive player, who's always looking to score and cause turnovers. He's a skilled spot-up shooter who's been working diligently to develop his long-range shooting, as well. He's phenomenal at crashing the boards; nearly averaging a double-double last year. His strong court vision and astute defensive instincts make him a dangerous asset to the Wolverine's roster .

Wolf's 2023-24 Season Stats

• Played in 32 games, with 31 starts.
• Averaged a team-best 14.1 points per game.
• Posted 24 double-figure games.
• Averaged an Ivy League-best 9.7 rebounds per game.
• Posted 17 double-digit rebound games.
• Posted 14 double-doubles.

Player Grade: A

C Vlad Goldin

PPG: 15.2
Reb: 6.8
Ast: 0.7

Who is Vlad Goldin?

Goldin is one of the most productive post players in the NCAA. He's a solid low-post anchor; excelling at catching, rolling, and cutting. He has an impressive back-to-basket game and is known for being an elite finisher around the rim. One of the oldest players on the team, he brings leadership and experience to the Wolverines.

Goldin's 2023-24 Season Stats

• Started, all 34 games last year.
• Averaged 15.7 points per game.
• Posted 27 double-figure games.
• Averaged team-best 6.9 rebounds per game Posted 26 games with five rebounds.
• Set the FAU record for field goal percentage in a single season.
• Averaged 24.9 minutes per game.
• Posted 32 games of 20-plus minutes.

Player Grade: A-