When Dusty May left FAU to come to Ann Arbor and become Michigan’s new head basketball coach, he knew he would have to rebuild a roster. There were only three Wolverines from Juwan Howard’s regime who returned to play under May: Nimari Burnett, Will Tschetter and Jace Howard. May said during his introductory press conference that he wanted to build a competitive roster and that’s exactly what he did.
One of the players who stayed with the team was Auburn guard Tre Donaldson. Donaldson played two years with the Tigers before entering the transfer portal. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 6.7 points, 3.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game for the Tigers.
Donaldson recently appeared on the Defend The Block podcast and was asked to describe his game for Michigan fans. Donaldson didn’t mince words when describing what he’ll bring to Ann Arbor.
“Exciting,” Donaldson said. “Fast, exciting, lots of good shots. I’m bringing the South to Michigan. A swaggering style. It’s just a different style that I have. I can be myself again. And you all see that I’m very entertaining, very funny. But I’m here to take over Ann Arbor.”
March 22, 2024; Spokane, WA, USA; Auburn Tigers guard Tre Donaldson (3) attempts a basket against Yale Bulldogs forward Danny Wolf (1) during the second half of a first-round game in the 2024 NCAA Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-KeynoteUSA Sports / James Snook-KeynoteUSA Sports
Like most Division I college basketball players, he aspires to make it to the NBA. While the NBA has become a shooting and scoring league, defense is still a part of the game. Donaldson firmly believes that being able to play defense and pay attention to the small details is what will potentially get him to the next level. Plus, the Florida native says his speed will really stand out.
“I play with a lot of energy,” Donaldson said. “Defense is a big thing to look at at the next level. Being able to focus on defense. On offense, everyone who plays basketball in the top five leagues can do something with the basketball on offense. But guys who pay attention to defense, little things like that, tend to excel. And like I told you, I’m bringing the South to Ann Arbor. Bringing that toughness, the speed of the South and things like that here is a big difference.”
Donaldson hasn’t just talked about what he wants to do on the defensive end of the floor. In fact, the junior has a big vision for what this year will look like. You won’t see many point guards win a major award like Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, but those are Donaldson’s expectations for himself in 2024-25 as a Michigan Wolverine. He plans to lead and be a winner while in Ann Arbor.
“Tre Donaldson is going to be the best defender on the court,” Donaldson said of himself. “I mean, we’ve got the great Vlad (Goldin) and stuff like that, but I’m going to be the defender, and I feel like that’s a big leap that I’ve made. And I feel like I’m trying to win Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year as a defender, which is tough. I feel like I’ve grown a lot defensively. Just being able to continue to make shots and make the right reads on time and on target. And then continue to lead and be the winner that I am.”
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