Scholar Stories: Gayle Taking Care of Business on Hardwood, Real Estate Path
10/29/2025 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Continuing the series that began in 2016-17, each Wednesday MGoBlue.com will highlight a Michigan student-athlete and their academic pursuits. These are our Scholar-Athlete Stories.
By Jonathan Franchi
"This is gonna be one heck of a decision."
That is what went through Roddy Gayle Jr.'s mind when he was preparing to commit to a new school after his first two years of college basketball. Gayle entered the transfer portal after improving his numbers across the board from his freshman to sophomore year, and he was immediately attracted to the University of Michigan because of Wolverines head coach Dusty May's recent success at Florida Atlantic. Coach May and his staff made Gayle a top priority in the portal when the second-year Michigan coach was putting together his roster for his inaugural year in Ann Arbor. For Gayle, the decision was made more difficult because of the school he attended for his freshman and sophomore years: Ohio State.
Before the start of his collegiate career at Ohio State, Gayle grew up in Niagara Falls, N.Y. His basketball journey has been highly influenced by his parents -- Gayle's mother always provided him with guidance off the court, while his father coached and trained him for important years of his childhood.
"I got into basketball because of my father. He put a basketball in my hands," Gayle said. "My dad was my coach from the early years of me playing basketball, probably up until middle school or high school. My dad was my coach, my trainer, my everything, so I was always just building that connection with my father. I give all my thanks and my gratitude towards him for showing me the way. Maybe at the time, I really didn't realize what he was doing, but looking back at it, my dad put me in those positions for me to be successful. I feel like my dad gave me a lot of good learning lessons growing up, and I still use those in my everyday life."
While Gayle's father has helped him the most on the court, Gayle credits his mother for her guidance and support away from basketball.
"My mom is my blanket. I kind of used her in a lot of instances to just try to get away from basketball," he said. "She just always provided that emotional support, even in my decision of picking a college, she just told me, 'Follow your heart.' That's just kind of the support that she has had for me throughout my life."
After the big decision to transfer to Michigan from Ohio State, Gayle fell in love with the U-M campus and what it had to offer and enjoyed an important role on Michigan's Sweet 16 squad in May's first year. Gayle averaged 9.8 points per game and 3.4 rebounds in 26.2 minutes per game, providing the team with a scoring punch from the wing position. In what was a Wolverines season full of ups and downs, they got hot late in the season, winning the Big Ten Tournament and securing two NCAA Tournament wins. With the season on the line -- as well as a spot in the Sweet 16 -- Michigan faced off against No. 4 seed Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament. Needing someone to step up, Gayle poured in 26 points off the bench -- including knocking down four of his six three-point attempts -- to lead Michigan to the Sweet 16.
"It was a great moment. It was my first time actually playing in March, so I was just kind of taking it all in at one time. I just felt a ton of happiness to see where our team was and where we were at the beginning of the summer," Gayle said. "Leading up to that moment, we were able to beat Texas A&M to head to the second weekend of March Madness, and it was just really emotional because we'd been through it all essentially, a roller coaster of a season. We had some bumps in the road, but I was proud to see our guys fight through thick and thin. And, I'm happy to call these guys my brothers and call everyone in the locker room my family. For me to be able to have my moment, as well as for the team to come out victorious, was a meaningful moment for sure."
After a successful first season with Michigan in May's system, Gayle feels confident and comfortable heading into year two after a full offseason of training. As a senior, he believes he is in a great position now to be a leader and provide a strong voice for the newcomers on the team. However, leading on the hardwood is only one element in Gayle's life.
Gayle, alongside teammate Nimari Burnett, has taken the initiative to start his own real estate company, focusing on student housing on college campuses. They are in the early stages of forming their business, but Gayle hopes to start in Ann Arbor and then build from there to other campuses. With such a busy schedule consisting of basketball and school work, it is impressive to see Gayle starting his own business.
"It was just like a little side hustle for us since we both have aspirations to work in real estate, so we thought it'd be a good idea to come together and pursue this idea. We already have a certain chemistry and a level of trust, where we trust each other with our visions," said Gayle. "So, being able to start that with somebody you call family is unique, very special. It definitely is a great opportunity for us to be able to start together."
As Gayle aspires to have a career in real estate after his basketball days are over, he is in the process of earning his real estate license, along with completing his degree in Communications and Media. The senior guard understands the importance of communication and interpersonal relationships in the real estate industry and is doing his part to learn the skills necessary to be able to sell properties in the future. Gayle understands the significance and value of earning a Michigan degree.
"Not too many people in the world can really say that they have a college degree, let alone from a school like Michigan -- especially in my family," said Gayle. "I know, in my family, I'm one of a few to be able to say that I got this far, and I know the resources that come with having a degree, as well as being a graduate from athletics. As far as former players and alumni, I feel like there's a large pool being open to you once you graduate with a Michigan degree, whether it's people trying to reach back and find people for a job or just different opportunities opening up."
Now, in his fourth year of college at his second school, Gayle has experienced many different situations over the years: different sides of a rivalry, different coaches, different majors and starting his own business. When reflecting on his college career so far, Gayle believes that he has grown in a number of ways.
"I feel like my freshman year I was kind of a scrawny, timid kid who really was afraid to make a mistake, but I've been able to learn through the mentors I've had who have told me that making mistakes is inevitable," Gayle said. "I've learned to just be OK with being uncomfortable and to find a way to just live in that reality and be able to be comfortable with not really knowing what's next. Just being able to kind of adapt to whatever situation you're in, because life can get to you fast. You're not going to be able to plan or kind of structure what you want. Life just kind of throws whatever at you, and you got to be able to adapt."
Coming over from Ohio State, Gayle is thriving in all facets of life at Michigan. From having success on the court to starting his own business and pursuing his interests off the court, Gayle has grown as a person in many areas and is setting himself up for success in the future, using his parents' life lessons along the way. Whether he is helping lead Michigan during his senior campaign or preparing himself for a career in real estate, Gayle will approach life the same way he always has -- handling his business as usual.
