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Michigan guard Jett Howard declares for 2023 NBA Draft

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•03/23/23•

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Jett Howard
(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Michigan guard Jett Howard is declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft, he told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. Howard is coming off an impressive freshman season for the Wolverines under his father, Juwan Howard.

“This was a great learning year for me,” Howard told Givony. “It’s what I needed. It taught me how to play within a pro style offense and be effective, to get out of my comfort zone, and play with other good players.”

Michigan basketball later announced Howard’s decision, including a lengthy statement from the former highly touted recruit. He thanked multiple members of his family and coaches before sharing his decision.

“Dear Michigan,” Howard started, “my love for the game began at the age of two when my parents gave me a basketball set. Since then, my life hasn’t felt complete without a ball in my hands. I had a vision to play in the NBA as far back as I could remember. With countless sacrifices, hours in the gym, blood, sweat, and many tears, I am getting closer to that dream.”

Howard ranked second on the Wolverines in scoring with 14.2 points per game while shooting 41.4% from the field, including 36.8% from three-point territory. However, he dealt with multiple injuries throughout the year, and he told Givony he wasn’t fully healthy during the season.

“I’ve had both ankles nagging for a while, so my dad and the coaching staff agreed with the specialist that it’s better for me to get to 100%,” Howard said. “I was only 50-60% for most of the Big Ten. My dad being the coach he is was looking out for me and wanted the best for my health. He understands that ankles are tricky. I met with a specialist after the Big Ten Tournament and they wanted me to rehab for four to five weeks. Thank God it doesn’t require surgery or anything like that.”

More on the 2023 NBA Draft

The 2023 NBA Draft is set to take place on Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Brooklyn at Barclays Center. Round 1 of the draft will be announced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, while Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum is expected to handle the second round of picks.

To be eligible for the NBA Draft, players must be at least 19 years in age during the calendar year that the draft is held and at least one NBA season from their high school graduation date, or the date that would have been if they are not graduated. It is not required that player spend that one year playing college basketball, though. Players can play in either college, abroad, or the G League Ignite if they choose so.

While this is a significant change from what the rules once were, players are eligible to enter their names into the NBA Draft pool and explore their options by hiring an agent to go through the process, while still keeping their college eligibility. The deadline to make that move is on April 23 beginning at 11:59 p.m. ET. Players have until June 12 at 5 p.m. ET to withdraw their name from the pool and return to college.

The NBA Draft Lottery will be held on May 16, which is also the start of the NBA Conference Finals.