For Dusty May, the National Championship is about more than a banner

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For Dusty May, the National Championship is about more than a banner

INDIANAPOLIS — It’s been a straight ascent for Dusty May.

The program could only go up after an 8-24 season, but May’s revitalization of Michigan basketball occurred with grand pace and prosperity. And May’s indelible story reached its apex Monday night.

“That’s probably the best part. As a father, you want these guys to have the best experience of their life. This isn’t just about winning this,” May said. “To be honest, I feel better about their experience and how much joy they got from playing this game. I’ve said it repeatedly. They’re playing a child’s game. I’m coaching a child’s game, and for the love to be taken away for whatever reason, it doesn’t seem real or right. And so for those guys to share that joy of playing a game and being on a team is pretty rewarding.”

The players’ experience, as May alluded, was unaffected by the result of the National Championship. Throughout the Wolverines’ postseason run, his players have spoken of their joy at sharing their time, on and off the court, with the teammates and coaches May brought in. What May has built is clearly an ecosystem that transcends a singular game or accomplishment.

May’s guiding principle in constructing the program has been selflessness — since the start, a mere 24 months ago.

“(There were) those signs two years ago, especially when Dusty was coming in. He was all about people making plays for each other,” graduate guard Nimari Burnett said. “And he told me, when I had my first meeting with him, he was like, it won’t be a certain guy averaging 18 points. He was like, we’ll all eat and share together. And I mean, these last two years were exactly that. And we’ve been about it all season, sharing the success of one individual person and the other, and we celebrate all of the wins that we had. And I mean, it led us to this moment.”

Burnett and others have preached about May’s honesty in those conversations. It made May a maestro of roster construction — one whose team was affectionately called the ‘Monstars’ and, less affectionately, ‘mercenaries.’”

“He’s perfectly built for 2026,” Michigan assistant coach Justin Joyner said. “He’s so adaptable. He’s such a partner with these players, these young men. He works super hard, and I think people love him. But he’s really good, he’s great at his craft. I’m so lucky to be around him.”

Where May is less credited, but equally adept, is in player development and game preparation.

“I’ve had really, really good coaches, but I think he’s one step above everyone else,” junior center Aday Mara said. “How hard he works. … I can see his office from the window. So he’s always there watching film. If I go earlier, (or) when I leave later, his office is always with a light turned on. His car is always there.”