Flint Native Trey McKenney Leads Michigan to Final Four

Freshman phenom's father says his son is always ready for the big stage

Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:44am

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Trey McKenney, a freshman basketball player for the University of Michigan, has led the Wolverines to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. His father, John McKenney II, says Trey has always thrived under the brightest lights and is not surprised by his son's success, which includes a 17-point performance in the Sweet 16 win over Alabama.

Why it matters

McKenney's journey from Flint, Michigan to the Final Four is seen as a continuation of the legacy of Flint native and Michigan basketball legend Glenn Rice. His success has also been crucial for the Wolverines, who have leaned heavily on the freshman since a season-ending injury to teammate LJ Cason.

The details

Trey McKenney was the top recruit coming out of Michigan in the class of 2025 and had many options, but chose to stay home and play for the Wolverines, a team his father says he always dreamed of playing for. McKenney has stepped up in a big way for Michigan during the NCAA Tournament, logging heavy minutes and matching his second-best scoring output of the season with 17 points in the Sweet 16 win over Alabama.

  • Trey McKenney was the top recruit coming out of Michigan in the class of 2025.
  • McKenney has played a crucial role for Michigan during their NCAA Tournament run, especially since the season-ending injury to teammate LJ Cason.
  • Michigan will face Arizona in the Final Four on Saturday night.

The players

Trey McKenney

A freshman basketball player for the University of Michigan who has led the Wolverines to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.

John McKenney II

The father of Trey McKenney, who says his son has always thrived under the brightest lights and is not surprised by his success.

Glenn Rice

A Flint native and Michigan basketball legend whose legacy Trey McKenney is seen as continuing.

LJ Cason

A Michigan basketball player who suffered a season-ending injury, leading the team to rely more heavily on freshman Trey McKenney.

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What they’re saying

“The way he is as a person, how driven he is as a young man, is why me as a father, I'm not surprised with anything he does.”

— John McKenney II, Trey McKenney's father

“The bigger the game, the better he plays. The bigger the situation, the better he plays. There's no mountain really big enough to stop him.”

— John McKenney II, Trey McKenney's father

“The cherry on top would be a championship, so to see my son, the first kid from Flint since Glenn to attend Michigan, it would mean that much more.”

— John McKenney II, Trey McKenney's father

“I expect us to win it all. Go Blue.”

— John McKenney II, Trey McKenney's father

What’s next

Michigan will face Arizona in the Final Four on Saturday night, with the winner advancing to the national championship game.

The takeaway

Trey McKenney's journey from Flint to the Final Four with Michigan is seen as a continuation of the legacy of Flint native and Wolverines legend Glenn Rice. McKenney's success has been crucial for Michigan during their tournament run, and a championship would be the 'cherry on top' for his father, who always knew his son would thrive on the biggest stage.