Wolverines in the NBA: Franz Wagner a serious contender for Rookie of the Year award

Former Michigan Wolverines basketball wing Franz Wagner continues to impress during his rookie NBA season with the Orlando Magic, serving as one of few bright spots for the team with the worst record in the NBA.

The Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for December averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists in the final month of 2021, which included a season-high 38-point outing Dec. 28 against the Milwaukee Bucks.

He’s second on the team in scoring (15.7 points per game) and fourth in rebounding (4.7 rebounds per outing), while adding 2.6 assists per contest.

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The former No. 8 overall pick has checked in as the league’s top rookie on numerous power rankings, including NBA.com’s on Jan. 5 and Yahoo Sports’ Jan. 10.

“Wagner is leading all rookies in the following categories: Points (627), points per game (15.7), minutes played (1,288), field goals made (235) and free throws (104),” Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports wrote. “Wagner is the dark horse in the Rookie of the Year race, making a strong case. Even teammate Cole Anthony is campaigning for him and voiced his frustration of Wagner getting overlooked early in the season. Recently, Anthony said he’s going to start calling Wagner “ROY” (Rookie of the Year) after a strong showing last month.

“Wagner is getting much more comfortable and is making the right reads off the pick-and-roll as the primary ball handler.”

Wagner has the fourth-best odds to win the Rookie of the Year award at +800, behind only Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (-120), Toronto Raptors wing Scottie Barnes (+275) and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (+425).

While Wagner’s name is becoming more of a mainstay in the NBA, there are some lesser-known former Michigan players who have made news lately. With illnesses in the NBA on the uptick, players from the G League are being called up more frequently.

Former Michigan guard Derrick Walton Jr. was called up from the G League’s Motor City Cruise to the Pistons, starting three games, highlighted by a duo of outings that saw him notch six and nine assists.

Forward D.J. Wilson has been picked up by the Toronto Raptors. He’s played in three games with one start, posting eight points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per night while making a surprise impact.

Wolverine Nik Stauskas was called up from the Grand Rapids Gold to the Miami Heat and played in two games, totaling 11 points, three rebounds and one assist in 24 minutes of action.

Former Michigan center Jon Teske — who’s normally on the Lakeland Magic — is currently on a 10-day deal with the Memphis Grizzles, and has registered two rebounds and one assist in three appearances.

Here is an update on full-time former Michigan basketball players in the NBA through Jan. 9, specifically honing in on the last week of action.

Ignas Brazdeikis (Played at Michigan from 2018-19), F, Orlando Magic

Has not appeared in game action since Jan. 2 … Played in 16 games this season, averaging nine minutes per appearance … Posting 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds per outing, while shooting 28.6 percent from the field and 18.2 percent from long range … The Magic have the league’s worst record at 7-34.

Trey Burke (2011-13), G, Dallas Mavericks

Notched seven points (3-9 FG, 1-3 3PT), one rebound and one assist in a 130-106 win over the Houston Rockets Jan. 7 … Missed the previous eight contests while in health and safety protocols.

Registering 7.5 points, 2.1 assists and 1.2 rebounds per game in 19 appearances with no starts for the 22-18 Mavericks that rank fifth in the Western Conference … Averaging 13.6 minutes per night … Shooting 43 percent overall and 32.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Tim Hardaway Jr. (2010-13), G, Dallas Mavericks

Put up six points (2-8 FG, 1-4 3PT), three rebounds, one block and one steal in a 103-89 victory over the Denver Nuggets Jan. 3 … Notched 14 points (6-14 FG, 2-6 3PT), three rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in a 99-82 triumph over the Golden State Warriors Jan. 5 … Posted 19 points (5-11 FG, 5-10 3PT), seven assists and four rebounds in a 130-106 win over the Houston Rockets Jan. 7 … Scored nine points (4-10, 1-5 3PT) and added six rebounds, one assist and three steals in a 133-99 win over the Chicago Bulls Jan. 9.

Started 20 of his 34 games for the 22-18 Mavericks … Recording 14.5 points, four rebounds and 2.4 assists per contest, while connecting on 39.3 percent of his overall looks and 33.3 percent of his triple tries.

Caris LeVert (2012-16), G, Indiana Pacers

Has not played since Dec. 31 due to health and safety protocols … Opened all 28 of his games for the 15-25 Pacers … Averaging 17.8 points, four assists and 3.3 rebounds per contest, while hitting 43.1 percent of his shots from the field and 31 percent of his looks from beyond the arc.

Isaiah Livers (2017-21), F, Detroit Pistons

Made his NBA debut Dec. 16 but has not appeared in a game since, with return-to-play reconditioning being one reason why … He’s also spent time with the Motor City Cruise of the G League.

Jordan Poole (2017-19), G, Golden State Warriors

Posted six points (3-8 FG, 0-4 3PT), three assists and two rebounds in a 99-82 loss to the Dallas Mavericks Jan. 5 … Put up 11 points (3-14 FG, 2-9 3PT), five assists and three steals in a 101-96 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans Jan. 6 … Registered 14 points (6-12 FG, 2-6 3PT), two rebounds, two assists and one block in a 96-82 triumph over the Cleveland Cavaliers Jan. 9.

Opened 29 of 33 games for the 30-9 Warriors, who have the best record in the league … Tallies 17.4 points, 3.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds per contest, while shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 33.7 percent from long range.

Duncan Robinson (2014-18), F, Miami Heat

Tallied 12 points (4-7 FG, 4-6 3PT) and four rebounds in a 115-109 win over the Portland Trail Blazers Jan. 5 … Went off for 27 points (9-17 FG, 8-16 3PT), four rebounds and one assist in a 123-100 triumph over the Phoenix Suns Jan. 8.

The former Michigan sharpshooter started his first 35 games but has come off the bench in the last two outings after missing three games while in health and safety protocols for the 25-15 Heat … Posting 12 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest, while shooting 39 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from three-point range.

Franz Wagner (2019-21), F, Orlando Magic

Recorded 22 points (8-13 FG, 1-2 3PT), five rebounds, three assists and one steal in a 102-98 loss to the Chicago Bulls Jan. 3 … Put up 15 points (6-11, 1-3 3PT), six rebounds, one assist and one steal in a 116-106 setback to the Philadelphia 76ers Jan. 8 … Scored 16 points (6-13 FG, 0-2 3PT) and added six rebounds and one assist in a 102-100 loss to the Washington Wizards Jan. 9.

Started 41 games for the 7-34 Magic … Averaging 15.7 points (second on team), 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per outing, while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 36.3 percent on three-pointers.

Moritz Wagner (2015-18), F/C, Orlando Magic

The former Michigan big put up eight points (3-5 FG), one assist, one block and one steal in a 97-92 loss to the Detroit Pistons Jan. 8 … Contributed two points, three rebounds and one assist in a 102-100 setback to the Washington Wizards Jan. 9.

Played in 31 games off the bench, and is averaging 6.5 points and 2.4 boards per tilt, while shooting 44.2 percent overall and 33.7 percent from three-point range … Seeing 11.5 minutes per appearance.