A history on Michigan's college basketball programs of all levels

The D Zone will provide a detailed look at each college/university men’s basketball program the state of Michigan has to offer, starting with all seven Division 1 teams.

Every Monday, this story will be updated to feature a new division, running up to the start of the 2024-25 high school season.

Michigan has historic programs from Division 1 to junior college and all levels in between. Check out our updates each week to find out more about your school and how the current roster shakes out.

Division 1

Michigan State University

Location: East Lansing

Enrollment (as of October 2024): 50,344

Head Coach: Tom Izzo

Big Ten Titles: 16

NCAA Appearances: 37

Sweet Sixteens: 21

Elite Eights: 14

Final Fours: 10

National Championships: 2

Notable Players: Magic Johnson (Lansing Everett), Cassius Winston (U of D Jesuit), Xavier Tillman (GR Christian), Johnny Green, Scott Skiles (Plymouth), Steve Smith (Detroit Pershing), Shawn Respert (Bishop Borgess), Greg Kelser (Henry Ford), Mateen Cleaves (Flint Northern), Morris Peterson (Flint Northwestern), Zach Randolph, Charlie Bell (Flint Southwestern), Jason Richardson (Arthur Hill), Miles Bridges, Gary Harris, Denzel Valentine (Lansing Sexton), Adreian Payne, Draymond Green (Saginaw), Kalin Lucas (OLSM), Jay Vincent (Lansing Eastern), Shannon Brown, Eric Snow, Jaren Jackson Jr., Sam Vincent (Lansing Eastern), Paul Davis (Rochester), Drew Neitzel (Comstock Park), Ralph Simpson (Pershing), Bryn Forbes (Lansing Sexton), Alan Anderson

Magic Moment

The 2009-10 squad seemed like one of the least likely to reach the Final Four. After earning only a 5-seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans were faced with a tough matchup against then-ACC foe Maryland in the second round. Maryland scored with just over five seconds left to take a one-point lead, but guard Korie Lucious drained a 3-pointer as time expired to reach the Sweet 16. I almost got hit by a car, as I ran out of my house to celebrate. MSU lost star guard Kalin Lucas during the game, but still beat Northern Iowa and Tennessee to reach the Final Four.

Current Team (2024-25)

The Spartans are reloading again and have only reached two Sweet 16s since 2015. Senior Jaden Akins (6-4 - Farmington High School) will be asked to provide scoring from the wing. Jeremy Fears Jr. (6-2), a redshirt freshman after getting shot last year, seems poised for a breakout at point guard. Senior transfer Frankie Fidler (6-7) joins the Big Ten as a tall, lanky wing with a great outside shot. Sophomore, and former top-10 national recruit, Xavier Booker (6-11) could be an all Big Ten candidate this season. Transfer Szymon Zapala (7-0), Carson Cooper (6-11) and rising junior Jaxon Kohler (6-9) will share center duties. Freshman Jase Richardson (6-3), a top-30 recruit and junior Tre Holloman (6-2) provide scoring depth off the bench. Coen Carr (6-5) is one of the most athletic players in the nation, but can he hoop at this level?

MSU only has one scholarship player (Akins) currently on the roster who attended a Michigan high school. Over the last decade-plus a plethora of famous high school programs have folded in the Detroit, Saginaw and Flint areas, which has led to a declining number of Power-5 players coming from Michigan.

University of Michigan

Location: Ann Arbor

Enrollment: 52,855

Head Coach: Dusty May

Big Ten Titles: 15

NCAA Appearances: 31

Sweet Sixteens: 18

Elite Eights: 15

Final Fours: 8

National Championships: 1

Notable Players: Chris Webber (Country Day), Glen Rice (Flint Northwestern), Jalen Rose (Detroit Southwestern), Juwan Howard, Rudy Tomjanovich (Hamtramck), Cazzie Russell, Ricky Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., Loy Vaught (East Kentwood), Nik Stauskus, John Tidwell, Jamal Crawford, Terry Mills (Romulus), Duncan Robinson, Caris LeVert, Jordan Poole, Isaiah Livers (Kalamazoo Central), D.J. Wilson, Caleb Houstan, Jett Howard, Zak Irvin, Howard Eisley, Kobe Bufkin (GR Christian), Manny Harris (Detroit Redford), Deshawn Sims (Pershing), Trey Burke

Magic Moment

Acquiring the “Fab Five” will go down as one of the most special feats in college basketball history, and it will pass the test of time. The five were ultimately saddled in disappointment on the court and scandal off it, but the buzz and fame of those five players elevated Michigan into the stratosphere. Yes, they won a National Championship right before the “Fab Five” took the court, and Glen Rice is likely the best player in team history, but Michigan will forever be linked with the most impactful recruiting class of all time.

Current Team (2024-25)

A new era will begin on the court, too, in Ann Arbor. The Juwan Howard experiment was a bust, so in comes Dusty May. The Wolverines completely revamped their roster through the transfer market. Michigan will start two 7-footers in seniors Vladislav Goldin (7-1) and Danny Wolf (7-0), which will be a matchup nightmare for opposing teams. Guards Trey Donaldson (6-3), Nimari Burnett (6-4) and Roddy Gayle Jr. (6-4) are explosive athletes with upside. Watch out for Alabama transfer Sam Walters (6-10). He’s a potentially elite talent who could break out as a sophomore. This team could surprise a lot of analysts.

Like MSU, the Wolverines only have one scholarship player from Michigan high schools on the roster - freshman guard Durral “Phat Phat” Brooks - our reigning Mr. Basketball after an illustrious career at Grand Rapids Catholic Central.

Oakland University

Location: Rochester

Enrollment: 15,768

Head Coach: Greg Kampe

Conference Titles: 4

NCAA Appearances: 8 (4 at D1 level)

Round of Thirty-two: 3 (including 2024)

Sweet Sixteens: 1 (1997)

Notable Players: Kay Felder (Pershing), Keith Benson (Country Day), Kendrick Nunn (Carman-Ainsworth), Trey Townsend (Oxford), Travis Bader (Okemos), Blake Lampman (Haslett), Reggie Hamilton, Jalen Moore, Duke Mondy (GR Catholic Central), Jalen Hayes (Lansing Sexton), Rocket Watts (Old Redford), Mike Helms (Detroit King), Johnathan Jones (Okemos), Erik Kangas (DeWitt), Drew Valentine (Lansing Sexton), Brad Bretching (Cedar Springs), Derrick Nelson (Lansing Everett), Dan Waterstradt (Redford Catholic Central), Blake Cushingberry (Romeo), Micah Parrish (River Rouge), Brailen Neely (Detroit Western), Chris Palombizio

Magic Moment

We don’t have to look far for this, as Oakland won the Horizon League Tournament for the first time just last season, securing an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. In the Round of 64, the 14th-seeded Golden Grizzlies upset 3-seeded Kentucky, 80-76, which proved to be the final nail in the John Calipari-Kentucky experiment. Senior transfer Jack Gohlke caught the nation's eye with 10 three-pointers in the game, ending with 32 points. Veteran head coach Greg Kampe labeled it the biggest win of his career in post-game interviews.

Current Team (2024-25)

The Golden Grizzlies got torched by Michigan in an exhibition game, but Oakland has potential. This team suffered major losses from last year’s historic squad, but returning starters DQ Cole (6-3) and Isaiah Jones (6-7) should be consistent scorers this season. Jaylen Jones (6-1), Jason Woodrich (6-7) and Deng Majok (6-11) should improve, giving this team a versatile lineup on both ends of the court.

Western Michigan University

Location: Kalamazoo

Enrollment: 17,605

Head Coach: Dwayne Stephens

Conference Titles: 6

NCAA Appearances: 4

Round of Thirty-two: 2

Sweet Sixteens: 1976

Notable Players: Shayne Wittington (Lawrence), Paul Griffin (Shelby), Thomas Wilder, Ben Handlogten (South Christian), Don Boven (Kalamazoo Central), Reggie Lacefield, David Kool (South Christian), Manny Newsome, Ben Reed (Battle Creek Central), Matt Stainbrook, Drake LaMont, B. Artis White (Canton), Seth Dugan (Otsego), Shawntes Gary, Flenard Whitfield (Detroit King), Titus Wright, Rickey Willis (Detroit Mackenzie), Owen Lobsinger (Flint Powers), Darius Paul, Jarrin Randall, Dillard Crocker (Niles)

Current Team (2024-25)

Fans of high school basketball in Michigan will enjoy watching the Broncos this season. Former Detroit King star and Mr. Basketball Chauncey Willis (6-2) will add a spark to an already intriguing roster. Former Flint Powers sharpshooter Owen Lobsinger (6-7) will look to build on averaging nine points per game last season. Former OLSM guard Javaughn Hannah (6-4) will add another athletic element to the wing. Kalamazoo Central’s Hutch Ward (6-7), former Williamston star Max Burton (6-10), former De La Salle forward Michael Sulaka (6-8) and former GR Northview point guard E.J. Ryans (6-3) will all take the court in Kalamazoo this season.

Western Michigan is going to be a mini Michigan high school market next year when their 2025 class introduces four more players who will graduate in-state.

Central Michigan University

Location: Mount Pleasant

Enrollment: 26,968

Head Coach: Tony Barbee

Conference Titles: 7

NCAA Appearances: 7 (4 at D1 level)

Round of Thirty-two: 1

Sweet Sixteens: 4 (1 at D1 level)

Notable Players: Dan Roundfield, Mel McLaughlin, Marcus Keene, Willie Iverson, Jeff Tropf, Braylon Rayson, Finis Cradock, Mike Manciel, Trey Zeigler (Detroit King), Aundre Polk, Tony Barbee, David DiLeo, Travon Broadway, Devontae Lane, Dirk Dunbar, Nate Minnoy, Josh Kozinski (Edwardsburg), Caleb Hodgson, Deschon Winston, Innocent Nwoko, Max Majerle

Current Team (2024-25)

Led by first-team all-conference favorite Anthony Pritchard (6-2), coming off averaging 13 points per game last season, the Chippewas should be able to rise out of cellar contention this season. Cayden Vasko (6-6) also returns to the starting lineup as a versatile wing. Armani Mighty (6-10) and Jacoby Heady (6-6) should also make an instant impact and potentially contend for all-conference honors.

Like many of the D1 programs in Michigan, Central Michigan is also low on Michigan-graduated players. Former Grand Rapids Northview standout Kyler VanderJagt transferred to Mt. Pleasant this offseason, and former Dearborn post Mohammad Habhab should get solid minutes. Yet, overall, Central will rely on outside talent to lead the team.

Eastern Michigan University

Location: Ypsilanti

Enrollment: 21,105

Head Coach: Stan Heath

Conference Titles: 7

NCAA Appearances: 5 (4 at D1 level)

Round of Thirty-two: 3 (2 at D1 level)

Sweet Sixteens: 2 (1 at D1 level)

Notable Players: Kennedy McIntosh (South Haven), Grant Long, Emomi Bates (Ypsilanti Lincoln), Carl Thomas, Yusuf Jihad (North Farmington), Earl Boykins, Derrick Dial, Tyson Acuff (Cass Tech), Marcus Kennedy, Tim Bond, Karrington Ward, DaShonte Riley (Country Day), Brandon Bowdry, Kory Hallas, Carlos Medlock (Murray Wright), Noah Farrakhan, Bryce McBride, Darion Spottsville, Derek Ballard Jr.

Current Team (2024-25)

Former Flint Beecher star Jalen Terry (6-1) looks to end his college career on a positive note after battling a litany of injuries at Oregon and DePaul. Sophomore Arne Osojnik (6-6) should be a starter after averaging 9 points per game as a freshman. Jalen Billingsly (6-8) will be a threat to score in the paint. De’Sean Nelson (6-8) and Yusuf Jihad (6-9) will also bring stability and upside to the post.

Eastern lost three key Michigan-based players in former River Rouge star Legend Geeter, Cass Tech standout Tyson Acuff, and Summit Academy’s Orlando Lovejoy. In their place, Terry and Jihad should see significant minutes and make a major contribution to a program looking for a spark.

Detroit Mercy

Location: Detroit

Enrollment: 5,528

Head Coach: Mark Montgomery

Conference Titles: 2

NCAA Appearances: 6

Round of Thirty-two: 2

Sweet Sixteens: 1 (1977)

Notable Players: Spencer Haywood (Detroit Pershing), Dave DeBusschere, Terry Tyler, Willie Green, Paris Bass (Birmingham Seaholm), Frank Russell, Nick Minnerath, Antoine Davis, Evan Bruinsma (Muskegon WMC), Jason Calliste, P.J. Boutte, Perry Watson, James Thues, Bob Calihan, Kevin McAdoo, Wilbert McCormick, Dennis Boyd, Ray McCallum Jr. (Country Day)

Current Team (2024-25)

A new era heads to Calihan Hall this season with former Michigan State assistant coach Mark Montgomery grabbing the keys to the program. Montgomery was known as a master recruiter for the Spartans. Montgomery will have a plethora of familiar faces for fans of Michigan high school basketball to see.

Former Detroit Country Day and Sterling Heights Stevenson star Mak Manciel (6-3) is just one of two returning starters on Detroit Mercy’s roster. Ryan Hurst (6-3) was a big-time scorer at North Farmington, and he looked poised to continue that trend last season before receiving a medical redshirt. He averaged 12.4 points per game in five games played before his injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. Eastern Michigan transfers Orlando Lovejoy (Romulus Summit) and Legend Geeter (River Rouge) will likely be asked to start right away. Grant Gondrezick (Benton Harbor) and Miles Mitchell (Warren Lincoln) are two more additions with upside. Overall, this should be an entertaining team with plenty of home-grown Michigan talent.