Ann Arbor, MI – May 26, 2025 — A major health scare has rocked the University of Michigan’s athletic department after a five-star basketball recruit tested positive for a highly contagious virus earlier this week. The situation has prompted immediate and sweeping medical action, including the urgent testing and screening of the entire Michigan football team, coaching staff, and support personnel.
According to sources close to the university, the recruit — whose name is being withheld due to privacy concerns — began exhibiting flu-like symptoms shortly after arriving on campus for summer training and orientation. Initial medical evaluations confirmed the presence of a contagious viral infection, later identified by university health officials as an aggressive strain of adenovirus, which can spread rapidly in close-contact athletic environments.
The news set off alarms within Michigan’s athletic department, particularly because the infected student-athlete had attended several joint events with other athletic programs, including a shared training facility used by the football team. Athletic Director Warde Manuel released a statement confirming that the university has activated its emergency health protocol.
> “Out of an abundance of caution, we have initiated full medical screenings for all student-athletes, staff, and personnel who may have come into contact with the affected individual,” said Manuel. “Our primary concern is the health and safety of everyone involved.”
The Michigan football team, which had been conducting voluntary offseason workouts, has now suspended all activities until further notice. Medical staff are reportedly working in tandem with local health authorities and infectious disease specialists to contain any potential spread and to ensure that no further cases arise.
Team physicians emphasized that the virus, while potentially serious, is treatable with proper care and isolation. Still, given the high-stakes nature of collegiate athletics and the close quarters in which players operate, the university is taking no chances.
Parents of incoming athletes have expressed concern over the incident, and some have reportedly requested additional information on how the university plans to manage the situation moving forward.
Meanwhile, the NCAA has been notified, though no official statement has been released from the governing body. Depending on how the situation evolves, this incident could have implications for summer recruiting events, preseason training schedules, and possibly even fall competitions.
The affected recruit is currently under medical care and is expected to make a full recovery. However, the incident has cast a spotlight on the challenges of maintaining health safety protocols in high-contact sports environments, especially with the constant travel and interaction typical of top-tier college athletics.
More updates will follow as the situation develops.
