Roddy Gayle could be ultimate X-factor for Michigan basketball

Some Michigan basketball fans might still be wondering what this team would have looked like if Dusty May was able to reel in former FAU star Johnell Davis, who ended up going to Arkansas for a big NIL payday.

For that reason, among others, it didn’t seem like it was in the cards. Yet, May had a backup plan in Roddy Gayle and after it was clear Davis wasn’t going to visit, Michigan basketball prioritized Gayle and landed his commitment.

Roddy Gayle is the X-factor for Michigan basketball

The former Ohio State Buckeye was a solid addition. In fact, you could make the case for him being Michigan’s best addition when all is said and done. Gayle averaged 13 points per game last season for Ohio State. Yet, he also dished out 3.1 assists.

Davis scored 17 points per game but also dished out three assists. I have always viewed them as similar players and when May talked about his roster, it’s not surprising he wants multiple guards who can facilitate. He has them in Ann Arbor as Tre Donaldson, Gayle, and Rubin Jones all averaged three assists per game last season.

Gayle averaged double figures already in the Big Ten, as we said, and he did it shooting 28 percent from 3-point range. As a freshman, he shot 40 percent. In both seasons, he made over 80 percent of his free throws. A wrist injury bothered him last season, which could be another reason the shooting percentage dropped.

If the 3-point percentage improves

Gayle can shoot and if he shoots 35 percent from 3-point range, he’ll be a draft pick. If he had done that as a sophomore, he probably would have declared the 2024 NBA draft instead of the transfer portal.

Playing with an All-Conference caliber center in Vlad Goldin and three other floor-spacers — which seems likely at all times — Gayle should thrive. He’s great at getting to the bucket and should have plenty of space to work with. Gayle is also an “elite” defender according to May.

The former top-50 overall recruit has all the tools to be an All-Big Ten producer. He’s also the ultimate X-factor for Michigan basketball because if he lives up to that promise, the ceiling of the team, which is “high” according to May, gets even higher.