It took Dusty May just three days to acquire his first commitment this offseason, as former Tennessee center J.P. Estrella announced on Thursday afternoon that he was transferring to Michigan. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound big man will be a redshirt junior when he arrives to Ann Arbor and has two years of eligibility remaining.
Estrella’s commitment is merely the beginning for May and the Wolverines this offseason, as there is more work to be done. But in the midst of all the action going on with the portal, 247Sports handed out some fit grades for some of the top commitments that have happened through the first few days of the portal being open.
Here’s what 247Sports’ Isaac Trotter had to say about Estrella’s fit with Michigan, and why he’s giving the commitment an A grade:
Instant analysis: Estrella is one of the most skilled bigs in this transfer portal class. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound big man is a load on the offensive glass, possesses a feathery touch to finish over shot-blockers and can make quick reads as a playmaker. All of those traits are essential in Michigan’s scheme. Plus, there’s proof of concept here. The Wolverines’ hit rate with bigs in the portal under Dusty May has been elite. Danny Wolf, Vlad Goldin, Morez Johnson, Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara have all flourished in this scheme. Lendeborg is off to the NBA, and Michigan could very well lose both Johnson and Mara, too, so the opportunity is here for Estrella to hop on the jetpack joy ride next. Even if one of Johnson or Mara decides to cash in and return to Ann Arbor for a second year, Estrella’s mobility and skill should fit snugly next to either of the big fellas. Grade: A — Isaac Trotter
I’ve seen some fans #online complaining about this news. First of all, I don’t know how any fan can question May whatsoever after what he did this season. Secondly, there is a TON to like about Estrella’s game. He averaged 10.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting 59.6 percent from the field and 40.0 percent (4-of-10) from three. He only played 18.3 minutes per game for the Volunteers this season, so there’s only room to grow and unlock even more of his game.
Estrella is also a fantastic rebounder. Tennessee was the top rebounding team in the country, and he was one of the Vols’ better rebounders overall. He was also among the best offensive rebounders in the nation, as he racked up 92 offensive boards, tied for No. 76 in all of college hoops.
Additionally, according to Brice Marich of The Michigan Insider, 16 of Estrella’s 27 total assists this season were to other big men. Should Aday Mara and/or Morez Johnson Jr. stay at Michigan for another year, expect a lot of that on the offensive end.
Estrella definitely needs to get better on the defensive side of the court, but the good news is he will be learning under one of the best head coaches in the country. Assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. — who is also the program’s defensive coordinator — should be able to improve that part of Estrella’s game as well.
What grade would you give this portal pickup? Let us know down in the comments below!
