Michigan basketball officially adds Seton Hall transfer

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — David and Meredith Kaplan U-M Basketball Head Coach Juwan Howard announced today (Thursday, June 8) the addition of Detroit native and 6-10 forward Tray Jackson as a graduate transfer for the 2023-24 season. Jackson is the second grad transfer to join the Maize and Blue following U-M’s addition of Olivier Nkamhoua (Tennessee) on Wednesday (June 7).

“Tray’s experiences, leadership and versatility makes him a very important addition for us,” said Howard. “We want him to continue to develop and grow his game, but we also need him to help his brothers with their games and skillsets. We just love his adaptability, which creates positive outcomes on both ends of the floor. He brings so much energy and has a great mind for the game.”

“When the opportunity to continue my career came up, I knew it was something I wanted to explore,” said Jackson. “When Juwan called, the chance to play under him, and do that in my home state and near my family, made it an easy decision. I want to make an impact, but I also want to serve and do whatever I can to help this program be successful.”

A Detroit native, Jackson spent a post-graduate prep year at Sunrise Christian Academy (Kansas) before heading to Missouri. Coming off the bench in 26 of 31 games, he averaged 2.9 points and 1.8 rebounds before the postseason was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the season, Jackson elected to transfer to Seton Hall. After the NCAA allowed immediate transfer eligibility due to the pandemic, Jackson played in three games for the Pirates.

Primarily coming off the bench to start his junior campaign, Jackson started the final 13 games, giving him 18 total on the season. With 11 games in double figures, including a career-best 21 points, twice — against Nyack (Dec. 4, 2021) and at Georgetown (Feb. 1, 2022), he averaged 6.8 points per game. Adding 3.5 rebounds, he shot 39.5 percent from long range, knocking down 34 three-pointers.

Jackson was part of the Seton Hall squad who came to Ann Arbor (Nov. 16, 2021) and rallied to defeat U-M, 67-65, in the 2021 Gavitt Tipoff Games matchup at Crisler Center. He finished with 13 points (5-for-6 FGs), six rebounds and was 3-for-3 from the free throw line.

After Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard left to take over Maryland in 2022-23, Jackson stayed with the Pirates for his senior season. Coming off the bench in 29 games for new head coach Shaheen Holloway, Jackson averaged 6.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and drained 15 three-pointers.

A two-time Big East All-Academic team member, Jackson earned an Arts and Science degree from Seton Hall while playing in 90 games during his four-year career. He compiled 488 points (5.4 ppg), 227 rebounds (2.5 rpg) and made 55 three-pointers.

With the addition of Jackson and Nkamhoua, Michigan has brought in a graduate transfer in each of the last four seasons — guard Mike Smith (Columbia; 2020-21), guard DeVante’ Jones (Coastal Carolina; 2021-22), guard Joey Baker (Duke; 2022-23) and guard Jaelin Llewellyn (Princeton; 2022-23).

Former Wolverine guard Jaaron Simmons (Ohio) was U-M’s first ever grad-transfer in 2017-18. Simmons, who currently serves as the Wolverines’ video analyst, helped the Maize and Blue to a second-straight Big Ten Tournament title as well as the Final Four (San Antonio) and national title game vs. Villanova.