L.J. Cason, the point guard from Michigan’s national title team, is heading to Miami. CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein confirmed the transfer Tuesday, and it’s a shocker for a couple of reasons. Not only did Cason help Michigan win the 2026 NCAA Tournament, but he’s also the *only* player from that championship squad who hit the transfer portal after coach Dusty May left for the Dallas Mavericks. Oh, and Cason tore his ACL back in February. Talk about a tumultuous few months for one player!
Michigan’s Wild Coaching Change & The One Guy Who Left
The news of Dusty May, fresh off leading Michigan to the 2026 NCAA Tournament championship, bolting for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks was a gut punch. You win a national title, and your coach bounces? Wild. But what’s even crazier is how the Wolverines’ roster largely stayed intact despite the upheaval. Mike Boynton Jr. was named May’s successor, and most of the national title team, including key players like Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney, stuck around. Even incoming transfers J.P. Estrella and Moustapha Thiam decided to stay put.
Cason was the outlier, the only one who decided to look for other opportunities. He was a valuable piece for Michigan, coming off the bench in all 30 games as a freshman in 2024-25 and playing in 28 games last season. The dude averaged 8.4 points, 2.4 assists, and 1.9 rebounds, clearly providing important minutes as a backup point guard. He was even ranked as the No. 56 overall player in the 2026 College Basketball Transfer Portal Top Prospects. So, it’s not like he was a nobody. He was a champion with a future, and now that future is in Miami.
The ACL, The New Rule, And Miami’s Long Game
Here’s where it gets even more complicated: Cason tore his ACL in February. Yeah, a full-blown ACL tear. That means he’s not expected to play the 2026-27 season for Miami. To add insult to injury, the NCAA’s new 5-for-5 legislation means he’d lose that season of eligibility anyway, whether he played or not. Michigan’s previous plan, under Dusty May, was to get Cason practicing by November and slowly integrate him back into play. Now, that’s Miami’s challenge, and they’ll have to wait at least a year for him to contribute on the court.
Despite Cason being sidelined, Miami is looking strong. They had a solid Year 1 under Jai Lucas, winning 26 games and even picking up an NCAA Tournament win before Purdue knocked them out. Their offseason has been busy, adding Somto Cyril, Acaden Lewis, and DeSean Goode through the transfer portal. Plus, they’ve got Shelton Henderson, a former five-star wing and a projected first-round NBA Draft pick for 2027, coming back. Even with Cason out for the season, the Hurricanes are poised to be a serious contender in the ACC. This transfer for Cason is a long-term play, a bet on his full recovery and future impact. It’s a testament to his talent that a team like Miami is willing to bring him in, even knowing he’ll be on the bench this upcoming season.
Miami’s upcoming season looks bright, with or without Cason on the court. It’s going to be fascinating to see how Mike Boynton Jr. navigates his first year at Michigan, and how Miami integrates their new talent, setting the stage for Cason to potentially make his debut in 2027-28.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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