Dusty May Leaves Michigan for NBA: Iowa's Stirtz Reacts
Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May is leaving the college basketball powerhouse to coach the Dallas Mavericks, just weeks after winning the 2026 national championship. The stunning NBA move shifts the Big Ten landscape and directly impacts Iowa's own Bennett Stirtz, who visited the Mavericks organization ahead of the NBA Draft.
What does Dusty May's move mean for the NBA Draft?
May built a strong track record of success, taking Florida Atlantic to a Final Four in 2023 and quickly turning Michigan into a championship contender. He led the Wolverines to a Sweet 16 in his first season and captured the national title in his second. Now, he is making the leap to the professional ranks after just two seasons in Ann Arbor.
The move comes on the eve of the 2026 NBA Draft, where three former Wolverines could hear their names called. With Dallas holding the 9th overall pick, there is a real possibility that May could draft one of his own former players, including Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr., or Aday Mara.
How did Iowa's Bennett Stirtz react to the coaching change?
Iowa's Bennett Stirtz, who visited the Mavericks during the pre-draft process, was not caught off guard by the news. He saw the writing on the wall during his own trip to Dallas.