Wolverines in the NBA: Franz Wagner enjoys career game in Detroit — 'it's always cool to come back to Michigan'
Former Michigan Wolverines basketball wing Franz Wagner is one of the better young talents in the NBA. The German was selected No. 8 overall by the Orlando Magic in 2021, after playing two seasons in Ann Arbor.
The Sporting News released a re-draft of that ’21 draft class in November, however, and Wagner checked in third, behind only Cleveland’s Evan Mobley (originally No. 3) and Toronto’s Scottie Barnes (No. 4). Former Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham, of course, was chosen No. 1 by the Pistons in that draft, and Wagner had a chance to go head to head with him Sunday in Detroit.
Wagner was red hot, making 17 of his 25 field goal attempts, including 4 triples, to tie his career high with 38 points. The other time he posted 38 points was in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks his rookie season (Dec. 28, 2021). Sunday’s showing, a 111-99 win for the Magic, marked Wagner’s fifth 30-plus point outburst of the season. He had 27 points in the second half.
Cunningham, meanwhile, recorded 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the field and added 7 assists.
“He’s just big,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said of the former Michigan wing torching his team. “When you have a 6-9 guy that can run pick-and-roll, he can see the floor. Smaller guys, when you put bigger guys on them, they have to create some distance to see the floor. He can see the floor, and then he’s got a big euro-step.
“He euro-steps around the help, so you almost are better off switching with him just to keep the ball in front. Tonight, a couple times he just blew by us and got to the rim. He’s a pretty efficient pick-and-roll player because of his size, and he has good feel.”
Wagner discussed his scoring explosion.
“I was able to get into the paint off of pick and rolls and drives and stuff — and making shots always really helps,” Wagner said. “I was just in a good rhythm, got in the paint and was able to make some plays.”
He was also glad to do that in front of some Michigan fans in attendance in nearby Detroit.
“It’s always cool to come back to Michigan,” Wagner said. “It’s a different vibe for me a little bit, and I had some people at the game. It’s always cool to come back.”
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Kobe Bufkin (played at U-M from 2021-23), G, Atlanta Hawks
Recent games: Played two minutes and put up 3 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist in a 138-122 win over the Los Angeles Lakers Jan. 30 … Recalled to the Atlanta Hawks again Feb. 3, after a short stint in the G League, where he’s seen most of his action this season.
Season stats: Missed time at the beginning of the season with a left thumb fracture … Appeared in three games with the 22-27 Hawks, totaling 4 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 6 minutes … Appeared in 14 outings for the G League’s College Park Skyhawks, averaging 23.6 points, 6 assists and 5.4 rebounds in 32 minutes per game.
Moussa Diabate (2021-22), F, Los Angeles Clippers
Season stats: Currently out with a right hand metacarpal fracture … Hasn’t seen NBA action since Jan. 2 … Appeared in 10 contests, averaging 2.7 points and 2 rebounds per night for the 33-15 Clippers … Played in a pair of G League outings, posting 4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per clash.
Tim Hardaway Jr., (2010-13), G, Dallas Mavericks
Recent games: Registered 18 points (6-15 FG, 4-8 3PT, 2-2 FT), 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in a 129-117 setback to the Milwaukee Bucks Feb. 3 … Put up 14 points (5-16 FG, 2-10 3PT, 2-2 FT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in a 121-87 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves Jan. 31 … Exploded for 36 points (11-17 FG, 5-9 3PT, 9-11 FT), 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in a 131-129 victory over the Orlando Magic Jan. 29.
Season stats: Started 10 of 46 outings for the 26-23 Mavericks, averaging 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game … Shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from long distance.
Caleb Houstan (2021-22), G, Orlando Magic
Recent games: Saw two minutes of action and recorded 3 points on a made triple in a 113-98 win over the Phoenix Suns Jan. 28.
Season stats: Opened seven of 36 clashes for the 27-23 Magic, averaging 5 points and 1.7 rebounds per game … Connecting on 38.3 percent of his field goal attempts and 36 percent of his three-point tries.
Jett Howard (2022-23), G, Orlando Magic
Season stats: Played in 11 games for the Magic, averaging 3.8 minutes per and totaling 20 points (on 7-of-19 shooting from the field), 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block … Seen action in 13 G League contests, averaging 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per night. His 3.9 made threes per game rank 11th in the G League.
Caris LeVert (2012-16), G, Cleveland Cavaliers
Recent games: The former Michigan guard posted 10 points (4-10 FG, 2-5 3PT), 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 1 steal in a 117-101 win over the San Antonio Spurs Feb. 3 … Registered 16 points (6-10 FG, 1-4 3PT, 3-4 FT), 3 assists, 1 rebound and 2 steals in a 108-101 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies Feb. 1 … Tallied 11 points (3-8 FG, 1-4 3PT, 4-4 FT), 4 assists, 2 blocks, 1 rebound and 1 steal in a 128-121 win over the Detroit Pistons Jan. 31 … Recorded 13 points (6-12 FG, 1-4 3PT), 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 steal in a 118-108 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers Jan. 29.
Season stats: Competed in 37 games with one start for the 31-16 Cavaliers, averaging 15.3 points, 4.1 assists and 3.4 rebounds per clash, while shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 33.4 percent fromlong range.
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Isaiah Livers (2017-21), F, Washington Wizards
Season stats: The former Michigan standout was traded from the Detroit Pistons to the 9-40 Wizards Jan. 14 and has not appeared in a game with his new team to date … Appeared in 23 contests with the 6-43 Pistons, averaging 5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, while shooting 34.5 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three-point range.
Jordan Poole (2017-19), G, Washington Wizards
Recent games: Tallied 4 points (1-7 FG, 0-3 3PT, 2-2 FT), 7 assists and 5 rebounds in a 140-112 loss to the Phoenix Suns Feb. 4 … Totaled 16 points (6-21 FG, 2-14 3PT, 2-3 FT), 10 assists and 4 rebounds in a 110-102 setback to the Miami Heat Feb. 2 … Posted 13 points (6-13 FG, 1-5 3PT), 3 assists, 1 rebound, 2 steals and 1 block in a 118-113 win over the San Antonio Spurs Jan. 29.
Season stats: The former Michigan guard has started all 47 games in which he’s played, averaging 16.2 points (second-most on the team), 3.6 assists (fourth) and 2.3 rebounds per outing … Shooting 40.7 percent from the field and 30.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Duncan Robinson (2013-17), F, Miami Heat
Season stats: Hasn’t played since Jan. 29 while in concussion protocol … Opened 17 of 45 appearances for the 26-24 Heat, registering 13.2 points, 2.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game … Connecting on 45.2 percent of his overall shot attempts and 40.4 percent of his triple tries, the latter being his highest mark since the 2020-21 season (40.8).
Franz Wagner (2019-21), F, Orlando Magic
Recent games: Tied his career-high with 38 points (17-25 FG, 4-7 3PT) and added 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in a 111-99 win over the Detroit Pistons Feb. 4 … Posted 19 points (7-17 FG, 0-5 3PT, 5-6 FT), 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block in a 108-106 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves Feb. 2 … Put up 20 points (9-16 FG, 2-4 4PT), 8 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal in a 108-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs Jan. 31 … Tallied 21 points (8-16 FG, 3-6 3PT, 2-3 FT), 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 1 steal in a 131-129 setback to the Dallas Mavericks Jan. 29.
Season stats: The former Michigan wing has started in all 42 of his appearances, averaging 20.8 points (second-most on the team), 5.6 rebounds (fourth) and 4 assists (second) per game … Shooting 47.3 percent on field goals and 31.4 percent on threes.
Moritz Wagner (2015-17), F/C, Orlando Magic
Recent games: Posted 10 points (5-5 FG), 5 rebounds and 4 assists in a 111-99 win over the Detroit Pistons Feb. 4 … Registered 8 points (2-3 FG, 4-4 FT) and 4 rebounds in a 108-106 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Feb. 2 … Notched 10 points (5-9 FG), 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block in a 108-98 win over the San Antonio Spurs Jan. 31 … Totaled 16 points (7-12 FG, 2-4 3PT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in a 131-129 loss to the Dallas Mavericks Jan. 29.
Season stats: Started one of his 48 games, registering 11.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 18.9 minutes per outing … Shooting a career-high 58.9 percent from the field, including a 32.9-percent mark from three-point distance … His 66.1 two-point field goal percentage ranks seventh in the NBA.
Michigan Wolverines in the NBA G League
• Zak Irvin (2013-17), G, Grand Rapids Gold: Played in 14 games, averaging 10 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per night and shooting 53 percent from the field and just 14.3 percent from long range.
• Glenn Robinson III, F, 2012-14, Wisconsin Herd: Appeared in 15 clashes, registering 10.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per outing. He’s shooting 50.5 percent overall, including a 40.7-percent clip from three-point range.
• Zavier Simpson (2016-20), G, Motor City Cruise: The former Michigan guard is posting 20.2 points, 8.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game with 16 appearances. He’s shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 46.2 percent on three-pointers. His 8.7 assists per game ranks seventh in the G League, while his 51-percent three-point shooting clip checks in ninth.
• D.J. Wilson (2014-17), F, Osceola Magic: Competed in 15 clashes, averaging 20.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, shooting 56.8 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from three-point land.
