Michigan basketball loses starting point guard after signing replacement in transfer portal

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan Wolverines have landed former North Carolina Tar Heels two-year starter Elliot Cadeau through the transfer portal, but they’re losing star guard Tre Donaldson in the process.

After spending one season with the Wolverines, Donaldson announced his decision Tuesday (April 1) afternoon.

Donaldson cemented himself as a Michigan basketball legend as his clutch play lifted the Wolverines to a second-place finish in the Big Ten Conference.

During the season, he led Michigan on a 9-0 run while making seven of which came at the hands of the junior guard, and helped escape Penn State inside Crisler Arena back in January.

--> ‘Ice Tre’ slides Michigan basketball past Penn State, extends home win streak to 11

That was just the precursor for what was to come as Donaldson put the team on his shoulders during their Big Ten Tournament semi-final against the Maryland Terrapins when he went coast-to-coast for the win.

Prior to the layup, Donaldson knocked down a three-pointer with 27.9 remaining to help Michigan take a 79-76 lead, showing his clutch genes.

--> Tre Donaldson’s game-winning layup sends Michigan basketball to Big Ten Tournament championship

After advancing to the Big Ten Tournament championship game, Donaldson made tough basket after tough basket to seal the victory over the Wisconsin Badgers.

He made a tough layup to cut into the 51-50 deficit with 3:31 to play. Donaldson followed that up with another clutch three-pointer to take a 53-51 lead before knocking down two free throws to seal the deal for the Wolverines.

--> Late-game heroics lift Michigan basketball to Big Ten Tournament championship over Badgers

“I know who I am. My teammates know who I am. It was just a matter of having the desire to win badly and I felt like in the first half it didn’t go our way and coming out in the second half it was just putting pressure on them. Somebody is going to have to do it and it was just me bringing that energy I feel like was just the biggest thing I brought. Bringing that energy in the second half and ball just fell my way and it fell in the basket. That was pretty much it. Just trying to give my teammates energy and the ball ends up finding you.”

Tre Donaldson

Let’s not forget how clutch he was in the first round of the NCAA Tournament when his clutch three-pointer retook the lead vs. UC San Diego with two remaining on the clock.

--> Michigan basketball marches on as they narrowly escape UC San Diego to advance to round of 32

Also, remember the difficult left-handed scoop shot against Texas A&M in the round of 32 as the clock expired to help propel Michigan to the Sweet 16.

--> How sweet it is: Michigan basketball pulls off second-half surge, upsets Texas A&M to reach Sweet 16

His clutchness had him shooting 43.3% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc during his lone season with the men in maize.

But the writing was on the wall after Cadeau announced his commitment on March 31, as the primary ball-handler and former five-star athlete chose to play with Michigan next season.

Donaldson played two seasons with the Auburn Tigers before he transferred to Michigan last season.

Life comes at you full circle as Donaldson’s last game with the Wolverines came at the hands of the Tigers, who eliminated them in the Sweet 16.

After being eliminated, Donaldson said he wasn’t thinking about next season as he just wanted to be where his feet were.

“I don’t think I’m really in the right headspace to reflect on next season. I’m just trying to take it all in. I’m just trying to be where my feet are,” Donaldson said.