Is Charlie May related to Dusty May? Explaining the connection between Michigan coach, Wolverine reserve

Michigan men's basketball fans would be forgiven for thinking they're seeing double on the Wolverines sidelines.

Since arriving in Ann Arbor in 2024, Dusty May has become one of college basketball's most recognizable faces. The 49-year old is a dizzying blend of charisma and tactical acumen whose exploits have played a leading role in Michigan's surge up the national rankings.

He's not the only May making his mark in maize-and-blue, though. So too is Charlie May, a walk-on guard who has produced fireworks within the Wolverines concourses over the past few seasons.

So, just what is the relationship between Charlie and Dusty May? Are they related? Or is their shared last name merely coincidental? Here's what you need to know.

MARCH MADNESS HQ: Live NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Latest news and more

Is Charlie May related to Dusty May?

Charlie May is, indeed, related to Dusty May. The Michigan reserve is the Wolverines' coach's son.

The two haven't hid their allegiances, with the elder May accompanying his son on the floor during Michigan's Senior Night in early March.

Charlie May the first one up for the senior ceremony. He walked out with “dad” not “coach” Dusty May. pic.twitter.com/bXMo9empTr

— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) March 8, 2026

Dusty couldn't hide his joy when Charlie collected his first career bucket -- a looping three-pointer at the end of the Wolverines' 121-78 win over Oakland in November. The Michigan taskmaster cut a proud figure while speaking with reporters following the contest.

Dusty May on his son Charlie's first career bucket tonight and what it means to coach him 🙌 @umichbball pic.twitter.com/cOXexaRuGv

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) November 4, 2025

MORE: Why Yaxel Lendeborg turned down more money from Kentucky

Who is Charlie May?

Charlie May is a 6-foot-5 walk-on guard who serves as a reserve on Michigan's basketball team. The senior has played sparingly across three seasons in Ann Arbor, appearing in 11 games -- all coming off the bench. He scored his first college points in the Wolverines' win over the Bears and added another trifecta in Michigan's Elite Eight win over Tennessee. His triple against the Volunteers brought about a cacophony of noise, both on the Wolverines' sidelines and in the stands.

CHARLIE MAY FOR THREE 👏🔥pic.twitter.com/mXgGKlgvZu

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 29, 2026

Prior to his time in Ann Arbor, Charlie May spent two seasons as a walk-on at Central Florida. He played high school ball at St. Andrew's School, helping lead the Scots to a state title in 2020. In his senior season, Charlie May averaged 7.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

MORE: What to know about the 'Fab Five'?

How many kids does Dusty May have?

Dusty May has three kids in total. All are boys.

Eli May

Eli May is Dusty May's youngest son. He currently serves as a student manager for the Wolverines, spurning a potential collegiate career in favor of lending his services to his father's program. It was the same choice his father made 30 years earlier. Dusty May spurned his playing career at Oakland to become a student manager at Indiana under Bob Knight.

“I didn’t necessarily want to take this path,” Eli May told USA Today.

Dusty May introduced the idea, hoping to give his youngest son the tools to pursue a long-term career on the hardwood.

“It’s obviously tough to give up playing the game and being on a team wearing a jersey,” Dusty May said. “But I just thought as far as his long-term development, all the things our managers learn, problem-solving, they learn people skills. They learn to function. We try to give them a lot of responsibility because we know if they’re ever going to make it in coaching … they have to have the experience of doing meaningful work."

MORE: What to know about the 'Fab Five'?

Dusty May's decision seems to work a treat. Eli May has become a cherished piece to Michigan's setup, emerging as a rising star within the student manager ranks. It could also serve as a platform for future coaching success, Eli May explained.

"I’d seen the managers from the outside, but I’d never been inside a program and seen it. What they've learned, how they go about their business, it made me want to be a manager more than anything," Eli May said. "I feel like it’s a much better path to becoming a coach eventually."

Jack May

Jack May is Dusty May's eldest son. He was a walk-on at Florida, appearing in 15 Gators contests across four seasons in Gainesville. A four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selectee, Jack May tallied two points, three rebounds and two steals across his collegiate career.

MORE: Where is Yaxel Lendeborg from?

Where is Dusty May from?

Dusty May hails from Terre Haute, Indiana. He attended Eastern Green High School in Bloomfield, Indiana before spurning an opportunity to play for Oakland in favor of a spot on Bob Knight's bench as a student manager.

Dusty May served as an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan, Murray State, UAB, Louisiana Tech and Florida before landing his first head-coaching job with Florida Atlantic in 2018. Dusty May led Florida Atlantic to its first Final Four appearance in 2023. In 2024, Michigan hired him to replace Juwan Howard as the program's head coach.