MARQUETTE---A core group of Northern Michigan University men's basketball players announced last night that they are leaving the Upper Peninsula and will enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Those looking for “bigger and better” opportunities are highlighted by Northern's leading scorer Max Weisbrod, who was named the GLIAC Player of the Year as a sophomore this season.
 

He has two years of eligibility left.

Weisbrod, in his announcement on X (formerly Twitter), said he's “interested in D-1's only”.

“I want to thank my teammates, NMU fans, and the coaching staff at NMU, especially Coach Matt,” Weisbrod wrote. “Thank you Northern Michigan for the past two years.”

NMU Coach Matt Majkrzak responded, also on the platform X.

“I held my breath all (last) summer, hoping no D-1 would realize how good he is<' Majkerzak wrote. “Luckily they didn't then, but do now. Some D-1 is going to get a hell of a player.”

“I hate the portal,” Majkrzak added. “But I love this dude.”

Also leaving town is redshirt junior Carson Smith, who has one year of eligibility left.

“Thank you Northern Michigan for the past four years,” Smith wrote. “I had a great time here and was able to accomplish so much. Thanks to all of my teammates, coaches, and fans for the support over the years.”
 

Also leaving NMU is redshirt junior Sam Schultz, who also wrote on X.

“I am very thankful for the last four years at Northern Michigan, and how it has influenced me both on and off the basketball court,” Schultz wrote. “A special thanks to Coach Matt for everything.”

Northern rode a long winning streak to take a big lead in the GLIAC race, and was in line to host the NCAA Midwest Regional.

But the team struggled down the stretch, and even though the 'Cats hung on to win the GLIAC regular season championship. NMU lost, however, in the GLIAC tournament semifinals on the home court, and lost in the first round of the NCAA Midwest Regionals last weekend in Indianapolis.