Wolverines in the NBA: Zavier Simpson signs 10-day contract, makes season debut with Memphis Grizzlies

Former Michigan Wolverines basketball point guard Zavier Simpson has been called up from the G League to the NBA, with the Memphis Grizzlies signing him to a 10-day contract March 29. Simpson has made one appearance since.

Leading up to his call up, Simpson spent the season with the Motor City Cruise. He currently ranks fourth in the G League with 9.2 assists per game. Appearing in 32 outings, he’s second on the team with 20 points per contest, shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 39.3 percent on threes.

Simpson earned his chance and appeared in his first NBA regular-season game since April of 2022 when the Grizzlies fell to the Orlando Magic, 118-88, March 30. Simpson recorded 4 assists, 1 rebound and 1 steal, going scoreless on 0-of-1 shooting from the field, in nine minutes.

Memphis has used injury hardship exceptions this season in order to sign players to 10-day contracts and fill the roster. The Grizzlies are currently without guards Ja Morant, Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose.

Here’s a look at how every former Michigan basketball player in the NBA is performing, specifically highlighting the last week of action.

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Kobe Bufkin (played at U-M from 2021-23), G, Atlanta Hawks

Recent games: Returned to action with 17 minutes, 3 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 block in a 113-101 win over the Chicago Bulls April 1, after missing nearly an entire month with a toe injury.

Season stats: Appeared in 10 games for the 35-40 Hawks, averaging 3.6 points, 1.8 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per clash … Shooting 34.1 percent overall and 30 percent on threes.

Moussa Diabate (2021-22), F, Los Angeles Clippers

Recent games: Hasn’t played in the NBA since March 1, spending time in the G League … Seen action in 11 clashes for the 42-25 Clippers, totaling 29 points, 24 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals and 1 block in 64 minutes.

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

Recent games: Registered 9 points (3-8 FG, 3-6 3PT) and 5 rebounds in a 125-107 triumph over the Houston Rockets March 31 … Recorded 5 points (1-7 FG, 1-4 3PT, 2-2 FT), 2 rebounds and 1 assist in a 107-103 victory over the Sacramento Kings March 29 … Posted 22 points (8-14 FG, 4-6 3PT, 2-3 FT), 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal in a 132-96 win over the Sacramento Kings March 26.

Season stats: The former Michigan guard has started 10 of 71 outings for the 45-29 Mavericks, averaging 15.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, while shooting 40.5 percent overall and 36.2 percent from distance.

Caleb Houstan (2021-22), G, Orlando Magic

Recent games: The former Michigan guard registered 9 points (3-4 FG, 3-4 3PT) and 1 rebound in a 118-88 win over the Memphis Grizzlies March 30 … Tallied 8 points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3PT, 1 rebound and 1 assist in a 100-97 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers March 29.

Season stats: The former Michigan guard is averaging 4.4 points and 1.5 rebounds per clash, while connecting on 39.5 percent of his field goal attempts and 38 percent of his threes in 56 games with 12 starts.

Jett Howard (2022-23), G, Orlando Magic

Season stats: Has been back and forth between the NBA and G League, having been recalled from Osceola to Orlando April 1 … Logged 14 appearances with the 44-31 Magic, totaling 23 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block and shooting 34.8 percent from the field, including a 27.8-percent figure on three-point attempts.

Caris LeVert (2012-16), G, Cleveland Cavaliers

Recent games: The former Michigan guard put up 15 points (5-9 FG, 2-3 3PT, 3-3 FT), 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 1 block in a 130-101 setback to the Denver Nuggets March 31 … Posted 4 points (2-9 FG, 0-5 3PT), 8 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 block in a 118-111 loss to the Charlotte Hornets March 27.

Season stats: Registering 8.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, while shooting 45 percent from the field (the highest mark of his career) and 32.1 percent on threes in 57 games with 26 starts for the 45-30 Cavaliers.

Isaiah Livers (2017-21), F, Washington Wizards

Season stats: Ruled out for the regular season Feb. 26 with a hip injury … Traded from the Detroit Pistons to the Wizards Jan. 14 and has yet to play in a game with his new team.

Jordan Poole (2017-19), G, Washington Wizards

Recent games: The former Michigan guard posted 22 points (8-20 FG, 4-12 3PT, 2-2 FT), 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 1 steal in a March 31 loss to the Miami Heat, 119-107 … Put up 7 points (3-15 FG, 1-8 3PT), 6 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 block in a 96-87 loss to the Detroit Pistons March 29 … Exploded for a season-high 38 points (15-24 FG, 5-12 3PT, 3-3 FT), 8 assists and 7 rebounds in a 122-119 overtime loss to the Brooklyn Nets March 27.

Season stats: Started 61 of 73 appearances for the 14-61 Wizards, averaging 17 points, 4.1 assists and 2.7 rebounds per outing … Shooting 41.1 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from three-point range.

Duncan Robinson (2013-17), F, Miami Heat

Recent games: The former Michigan sharpshooter tallied 6 points (2-7 FG, 2-7 3PT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block in a 119-107 win over the Washington Wizards March 31, after missing five contests with a back injury.

Season stats: Made 32 starts in 64 games for the 41-33 Heat … Averaging 13.4 points, 2.9 assists and 2.6 rebounds per outing, while connecting on 45.6 percent of his field goals and 40.3 percent of his three-point tries.

Zavier Simpson (2016-20), G, Memphis Grizzlies

Recent games: Made his season debut in a 118-88 loss to the Orlando Magic, putting up 4 assists, 1 rebound and 1 steal in nine minutes, after signing a 10-day contract with the club March 29.

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

Recent games: Posted 20 points (6-10 FG, 1-2 3PT, 7-9 FT), 6 rebounds and an assist in a 104-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers April 1 … Recorded 13 points (4-9 FG, 0-4 3PT, 5-6 FT), 4 rebounds and 4 assists with a steal in a 118-88 win over the Memphis Grizzlies March 30 … Compiled 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in a 100-97 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers March 29 … Totaled 14 points (6-14 FG, 0-2 3PT, 2-2 FT), 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block in a 101-93 loss to the Golden State Warriors March 27.

Season stats: The former Michigan wing has started all 67 games in which he’s appeared, registering career bests in points (19.6), rebounds (5.3) and assists (3.8) per tilt … Connecting on 48 percent of his field goal attempts and just 28.3 percent of his three-point triggers.

Moritz Wagner (2015-17), F/C, Orlando Magic

Recent games: The former Michigan forward put up 8 points (3-4 FG, 2-3 3PT) and 1 rebound in a 104-103 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers April 1 … Logged 4 points (1-1 FG, 1-1 3PT, 1-2 FT) and 1 rebound in a 118-88 win over the Memphis Grizzlies March 30 … Recorded 12 points (6-10 FG, 0-2 FT), 9 rebounds and 2 assists with a steal in a 100-97 setback to the Los Angeles Clippers March 29 … Recorded 6 points (3-5 FG, 0-1 3PT), 7 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals in a 101-93 loss to the Golden State Warriors March 27.

Season stats: Started one of 73 appearances, averaging a career-best 10.8 points per game, adding 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 17.8 minutes per clash … Shooting a career-high 60 percent from the field and 34 percent on threes.

Michigan Wolverines in the NBA G League

• Joey Baker (2022-23), G, Grand Rapids Gold: Started one of nine games, averaging 4.6 points and 1.4 rebounds per night and shooting 39.5 percent from the field and 26.9 percent from long range.

• Zak Irvin (2013-17), G, Grand Rapids Gold: Opened 22 of 33 games, recording 9.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per clash while shooting 53.1 percent from the field.

• Glenn Robinson III (2012-14), F, Wisconsin Herd: Started 25 of 29 games, averaging 11.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per night. He’s shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 38 percent on threes.

• D.J. Wilson (2014-17), F, Osceola Magic: Began all 27 games in which he’s played, averaging 21 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists per outing. He’s connecting on 57.4 percent of his field goal tries, including a 41.6-percent clip from three-point distance.