Michigan basketball makes contact with Auburn transfer guard
Michigan basketball has been upping its effort in the transfer portal of late with the season in the rearview mirror. Its most recent target has been revealed in former Auburn guard Chance Westry, who announced his intentions to enter the portal earlier this week.
Westry (6-6, 190 pounds) averaged 2.5 points per game in 11 contests but opted to medically redshirt in January after October knee surgery. The combo guard was 12-of-38 from the field (31.6%) and 0-for-14 from the three-point range.
Westry is a former four-star recruit and was the No. 38 overall player in the nation from the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Michigan was involved in his high school recruitment.
Chance Westry provided a statement to On3’s Joe Tipton:
“I am beyond thankful that my college basketball career began as a member of the Auburn family. Thank you to Coach Pearl and the Auburn basketball staff. From the words of wisdom, to the time spent helping me improve my game, you all showed me that you cared about my development as both a basketball player and a young man. Thank you to my teammates. I’ll forever cherish the times that we shared on and off of the court. Thank you to the Auburn fans and broader Auburn, Alabama community. You all embraced and supported me from day one.
“Through the ups and downs, this has been one of the most fun and impactful years of my life. I will never forget my time on The Plains, and I will always be a Tiger. With that being said, I will be entering the transfer portal with four years of eligibility. I look forward to exploring new opportunities for the next chapter of my basketball career.”
The Wolverines have been putting feelers out in the transfer portal since the season ended, reaching out also to Wofford forward/center B.J. Mack, Harvard forward Chris Ledlum, Pittsburgh center John Hugley IV and Colorado State guard John Tonje. Mack recently had an in-home visit with the Michigan staff while Tonje committed to Missouri on Monday.
The Wolverines currently have a pair of scholarship spots open for next season after the departures of freshman wing Jett Howard (NBA Draft) and sophomore guard Isaiah Barnes (transfer portal), but could look to bring back veteran guard Jaelin Llewellyn and wing Joey Baker for sixth collegiate seasons. There still figures to be some roster churn, whether it be from sophomore guard Kobe Bufkin and/or junior center Hunter Dickinson deciding to move on or other transfers.
