Michigan Adds Ivy League Transfer Kenny Noland to Reinforce Backcourt

The Michigan Wolverines sought to reinforce their backcourt, targeting a backup point guard and additional depth for the upcoming season.

The Wolverines secured that need in Columbia transfer Kenny Noland, who announced his signing with Michigan on August 19.

Noland spent four seasons at Columbia and is part of the 2022 high school class granted a fifth year of eligibility through ongoing legal proceedings and court rulings, attention of which has been closely monitored by Michigan coach Mike Boynton Jr.

Boynton emphasized that the program continues to monitor all available opportunities, and if a suitable addition arises, they will pursue it without hesitation.

Standing 6-foot-2, Noland is expected to fill the void left by L.J. Cason’s transfer to Miami, serving as the backup ball-handler behind starting guard Elliot Cadeau.

Noland started the past two seasons at Columbia and enjoyed a career-senior campaign in 2025-26, averaging a team-best 17.1 points and 3.7 assists over 33.1 minutes per game en route to All-Ivy League second-team honors. He ranked tied for second among Ivy League scorers and third in the league in made 3-pointers, with 72.

Following his graduation from Columbia, Noland initially signed a professional contract with Germany’s Artland Dragons in early July, though he later reversed that decision.

In late July, U.S. District Court of Colorado Judge Charlotte Sweeney issued a class-wide preliminary injunction benefiting athletes whose standard four-year eligibility had recently concluded, potentially allowing Noland to pursue a fifth season.

Noland is reportedly among the plaintiffs in a five-for-five eligibility lawsuit filed in North Carolina, seeking both temporary and permanent injunctions to permit him to play this season.

Columbia’s career leader in several categories, Noland ranks in the program’s top 10 in steals (126, fourth), games played (111, tied for fifth) and assists (281, 10th), having accumulated 1,225 total points while shooting 37.9% from 3-point range.

With Noland’s addition, he becomes the fourth incoming transfer on Michigan’s 2026-27 roster, joining J.P. Estrella (Tennessee), Moustapha Thiam (Cincinnati) and Jalen Reed (LSU), bringing the total of newcomers to ten.

Michigan still holds one remaining roster spot, and Boynton indicated he remains open to adding further pieces, including a potential reunion with former Wolverine Roddy Gayle Jr., another 2022 high school class athlete who could seek a fifth year.

Boynton stated on July 28 that the staff will always explore additions capable of elevating the team’s ceiling or floor, acknowledging opportunities to improve backcourt depth and experience as they evaluate every avenue to strengthen the roster.

Source link