Michigan lands former 5-star prospect in early transfer portal find

Mar 18, 2025; Dayton, OH, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Elliot Cadeau (3) dribbles the ball defend by San Diego State Aztecs guard BJ Davis (10) in the second half at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Mar 18, 2025; Dayton, OH, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Elliot Cadeau (3) dribbles the ball defend by San Diego State Aztecs guard BJ Davis (10) in the second half at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

There’s plenty of action in the Transfer Portal even as the sport’s focus moves towards the Final Four. A major move from Monday saw former North Carolina point guard Elliot Cadeau find his new home, transferring to Michigan for his junior year.

A native of Brooklyn, Cadeau rose into a star at the high school level, first in New Jersey and then at Link Academy in Missouri. His recruiting involved a number of interested schools, though Cadeau settled on North Carolina. He also reclassified, having been one of the top point guards in the Class of 2024 before heading to college a year early.

His time with the Tar Heels can best be described as underwhelming, though Cadeau certainly is a very talented player. He just didn’t put up the numbers of a blue chip-type prospect. He earned his way into the starting rotation very quickly as a freshman and averaged 7.3 points and 4.1 assists on a Tar Heels squad that won the ACC regular season title and made the Sweet Sixteen.

Unfortunately, neither Cadeau nor his program really had the jump forward that was expected. North Carolina barely made the Big Dance and were sent packing in the first round after winning their First Four game in Dayton. Cadeau’s numbers were improved all around, though he averaged just 9.4 points and 6.2 assists per game.

Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but Cadeau’s game has grown over these last few seasons. As a sophomore he made 33% of his 3-pointers and nearly 45% of all shots from the floor. While not outstanding or elite, it’s marked improvement, and Michigan hopes that his third year of college ball shows even more improvement.

He joins a Michigan squad that marched to the Sweet Sixteen under first-year head coach Dusty May and becomes a big piece of next year’s puzzle. He could easily slide into a similar role that Tre Donaldson filled this past season for the Wolverines. Donaldson was a former Auburn point guard who came to Michigan for his junior year and played a major role on Michigan’s successful season.

It’s still too early to know just what the Wolverines’ roster will look like next season, but Cadeau unquestionably is one of the point guards with the highest ceiling. Whether or not he can take a step forward in Ann Arbor, he gets a new setting and a potential refresh after some struggles in Chapel Hill. Will this be another fantastic move for May and his staff?