L.J. Cason, a point guard who was part of Michigan’s 2026 NCAA Tournament championship squad, is moving to the University of Miami via the transfer portal, according to reports earlier this week. The decision came shortly after Dusty May departed Michigan to become coach of the Dallas Mavericks, prompting eligible players to explore other options.
Cason suffered an ACL injury in February and has opted to sit out the upcoming season rather than pursue an immediate return to competition. Under the NCAA’s new 5-for-5 legislation set to take effect, Cason would lose eligibility during this period regardless of playing status. Before his departure, May had indicated plans to bring Cason back to practice in November and gradually work him back into action.
While Michigan’s coaching transition created an opportunity window for transfers, Cason was the only player from the national championship roster to enter the portal. Other key contributors, including guards Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney along with transfers J.P. Estrella and Moustapha Thiam, chose to remain with the program under newly appointed coach Mike Boynton Jr.
Cason averaged 8.4 points, 2.4 assists and 1.9 rebounds across 28 games during his time with the Wolverines. In his freshman season, he appeared in 30 games as a reserve under May’s initial tenure. At Miami, Cason joins a program fresh off a 26-win season that included an NCAA Tournament victory before losing to Purdue in the second round. The Hurricanes have added multiple transfer players this offseason and retain former five-star wing Shelton Henderson as they position themselves as ACC contenders.