Michigan Basketball: Mark Donnal is transferring to Clemson
By Matt Snyder
Michigan basketball big man Mark Donnal will reportedly transfer to Clemson to play his final season of eligibility as a graduate student.
According to Brendan F. Quinn of MLive, Michigan basketball player Mark Donnal has chosen to transfer to Clemson for the 2017-18 season. As a graduate transfer, Donnal will be eligible to play right away and will not have to sit out a season.
Donnal — who spent his freshman year as a redshirt — was not offered a fifth scholarship season by head coach John Beilein following the 2017 season. It was never a matter of if he would transfer to play elsewhere in 2018 but where exactly it would be.
Donnal was a major contributor for the 2016 team but saw his role diminish in 2017 following the rise of sophomores Moritz Wagner and D.J. Wilson. Wagner and Wilson both put their names in for early entry into the NBA draft but neither hired agents and will have until May 24 to withdraw themselves from consideration.
It still would seem unlikely that both Wagner and Wilson actually end up leaving for the professional ranks — especially considering draft rankings that have both outside of the top 60 — but the Wolverines might be in a bit of a bind in the front court if both of them do. Youngster Jon Teske saw 60 minutes of total action last year but would be Michigan’s most experienced big man without Wilson or Wagner.
Donnal’s vacancy opens up a scholarship that Beilein can use on the recruiting trail. Michigan is said to be pursuing five-star recruit Mo Bamba, but the Woverines appear to be a longshot to land the 6-11 center.
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Donnal scored 512 points in his career as a Wolverine and appeared in 101 games. He shot 37.1% from the three-point line with 108 of his points coming from long distance.