'Versatile' Tray Jackson 'accepting a big role' on the wing for Michigan basketball
Michigan Wolverines basketball graduate forward Tray Jackson, formerly of Seton Hall, is one of three incoming transfers for the Maize and Blue in 2023-24, joining guard Nimari Burnett (Alabama) and forward Olivier Nkamhoua (Tennessee). A Detroit native, Jackson hasn’t averaged over 18.1 minutes per game in his college career, and he comes to Ann Arbor plenty motivated.
“Going into the transfer process, coming back home was something that I wanted to do, being able to play in front of family and friends, but I feel like me and [Michigan head] Coach [Juwan] Howard, we both got a chip on our shoulder this season, we both got something to prove,” Jackson said on WTKA’s The M Zone. “That was a big part of my decision.”
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The 6-10, 215-pounder will play on the wing for the Maize and Blue, after being slotted mainly in the frontcourt at Seton Hall. In fact, he played center last season, a position that didn’t suit him. He averaged 6.5 points and 2.2 rebounds per game, shooting 50.5 percent on twos and 37.5 percent on threes.
“I feel like throughout this recruitment process when he was recruiting me, he actually saw my game for what I was, and he doesn’t see me much as a post player,” Jackson said of Michigan’s head man. “He sees me as a wing, and that’s what we’ve been preparing for.”
The Wolverines have just one player — freshman guard George Washington III — who won’t be 20-plus years old at the beginning of the season, a stark contrast to last year, when Michigan ranked 310th nationally in Kenpom.com’s D-I experience metric.
“I feel like we’re figuring things out one step at a time,” Jackson said. “We’ve got an older group this time, so I feel like I definitely bring leadership to this team. I bring it on both sides of the ball — defensively and offensively.”
Jackson is a career 34.7 percent three-point shooter on 150 attempts, and he has the athleticism to get to the rim, shooting 60.5 percent on 76 attempts there last season. He can run ball screens on the ball and also as a roller.
“I’m a versatile player, I can shoot the ball, finish at the rim,” Jackson explained. “I see myself being in the pick-and-roll — setting the screen or coming off it, too.”
“I feel like I bring a lot to this team, and I’m accepting a big role this season.
“When it comes to showing what I can do, I feel like that’ll come naturally. I played Michigan [in 2021-22 and scored 13 points at Crisler Center], so I’m pretty sure the coaches know I can come in and shoot the ball at a high clip.
Defensively, Jackson was tasked with guarding post players in the Big East last season. He’ll be checking opponents on the wing more this year, which fits his game more naturally, and he can switch onto anybody ‘1’ through ‘5.’
“That’s what they’ve been emphasizing with me, and that’s been a main focus for me since I’ve been here is defense, making sure I’m leading with that effort and having that energy on both sides of the ball,” Jackson said.
His new Michigan teammates and coaches have done a “great job” of making him feel at home, making for a smooth transition. Jackson loves the way the Wolverines value hard work and is excited to begin the season.
“I like the culture here and the way everyone works,” Jackson said. “Everyone has a great work ethic — in the weight room, on the court, even off the court with making sure you know things and are watching film. They approach things a little differently here.”
And that’s part of the reason why he came home.
