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Michigan graduate transfer Mark Donnal to visit Vanderbilt, Creighton, Clemson

Mark Donnal received some interest from Big Ten Conference teams, but will not go in that direction.

NCAA Basketball: 2K Classic-Michigan vs Southern Methodist Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan graduate transfer Mark Donnal told the media at Michigan’s annual team banquet that he is considering Creighton, Vanderbilt, and Clemson for his fifth-year. He will visit all three programs.

"There are a lot of mid-major teams that reached out and a lot of high-major teams, as well," Donnal said. "I thought that these three schools, just by talking to them on the phone and researching rosters and everything, and seeing how I fit in the system, I think are the three best candidates, as of now."

The power forward from Whitehouse (OH) Anthony Wayne High School played in 101 total games for the Wolverines, averaging 5.1 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. For Michigan in 2016-17, Donnal averaged 3.9 points and 2.0 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game.

Donnal will look for a program that allows him to play his game and will offer minutes. A few Big Ten Conference teams have reached out to him, but he will not pursue those options.

"Style of play is one thing -- a place that fits the way I play offensively, that spreads the floor a little bit and allows their five the freedom to step out and shoot, which I think all three (Vanderbilt, Creighton and Clemson) of them do," Donnal said, soon adding that he's looking for "somewhere where I can start and see significant minutes right away and start, possibly. That's a big thing for me."

Coming out of high school in 2013, Donnal was ranked as the No. 86 player in his class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He was the 18th-best at his position and the No. 3 ranked player from the state of Ohio.

The 6-foot-9, 240-pound athlete will have one season of eligibility as a graduate transfer and will be able to play immediately.

"I kind of see it as another fresh start," he said. "To be able to come into another program and try to prove yourself to another team, it's exciting. It is kind of weird to start the recruiting process over again, but it comes with college basketball sometimes. I'm excited for next year."