Dusty May, fresh off a national title at Michigan, is finalizing a deal to become the next head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.
Historically, college coaches jumping to the NBA have rarely worked out, but this one feels different. That's because of who May is, how he coaches and, perhaps most notably, the way in which college basketball now operates essentially like a professional league.
It's also why his performance could have a major impact on college hoops.
May, 49, has certainly distinguished himself as one of the game's brightest coaches. The onetime Bob Knight manager at Indiana took Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023 and led Michigan to a dominating national championship run in 2026. He has won nearly 70% of his games across eight seasons.