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Wolverines in the NBA: How former Michigan players performed before All-Star break

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•02/14/25•

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Duncan Robinson
Former Michigan Wolverines basketball forward Duncan Robinson is standing out with the Miami Heat. (Photo by Jim Rassol-Imagn Images)

Michigan basketball has 10 former players in the NBA and a slew of Wolverines in the G League. Most in the league are standing out, while two — Orlando Magic forward Moritz Wagner and Atlanta Hawks guard Kobe Bufkin — are out for the season with injuries.

One of the top storylines lately is that Moussa Diabate has become a rising star with the Charlotte Hornets, with the former Michigan forward (2021-22) having signed a multi-year contract earlier this week. Diabate’s two-way was converted to a full-time NBA deal — a three-year agreement worth $5,689,960, according to Sportrac.

The 23-year-old is averaging 5.1 points and 7 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game, and has been lauded for his defense. He’s blocked a career-high 30 shots and notched 29 steals this season. While he’s turnover prone (40 on the season), he’s also added 37 assists. Diabate is shooting 61.6 percent from the field.

The NBA is on its All-Star break, so here’s a check-in on former Michigan players in the league.

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Kobe Bufkin (2021-23), G, Atlanta Hawks

Had season-ending shoulder surgery Jan. 7 … Appeared in just 10 games on the season.

Moussa Diabate (2021-22), F, Charlotte Hornets

Played in 44 games with seven starts for the 13-39 Hornets … Averaging 5.1 points and 7 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per night, and shooting 61.6 percent from the field (all twos).

Tim Hardaway Jr. (2010-13), G, Detroit Pistons

Registering 10.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.6 points per game, having started all 51 outings in which he’s appeared for the 29-26 Pistons, who stand sixth in the Eastern Conference … Shooting 40.8 percent overall and 37.4 percent from three-point distance.

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

Competed in 37 tilts with five starts for the 27-29 Magic, who are seventh in the Eastern Conference … Posting 2.9 points and 1 rebound in 11.8 minutes per game, and is shooting 32.4 percent overall and 31.9 percent from beyond the arc.

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

Played in 45 contests, averaging 4.5 points and 1.2 rebounds in 11.2 minutes … Connecting on 37 percent of his overall field goal attempts and 31.9 percent of his three-point tries, both career-best marks.

Caris LeVert (2012-16), G/F, Atlanta Hawks

Traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Atlanta Hawks ahead of the NBA trade deadline … The Cavaliers received wing De’Andre Hunter in exchange for LeVert, forward Georges Niang, three second-round draft picks and two pick swaps … Averaging 15.7 points per game in three bench appearances for the Hawks, after posting 10.2 in 38 clashes with the Cavaliers.

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

Leads the 9-45 Wizards with 21.2 points and 4.9 assists per game … Shooting 41.8 percent overall and a career-high 37.1 percent from three-point range … Exploded for a career-high 45 points in a 134-124 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers Feb. 7.

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

Registering 10.7 points, 2.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 24.1 minutes per game in 50 appearances with 30 starts … Connecting on 42 percent of his field goal attempts, including 37.8 percent of his triple tries.

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

Returned from his oblique injury Jan. 23 and has played in 11 games since … Appeared and started in 36 games, averaging 25.1 points, 5.6 boards and 4.9 assists … Connecting on 46.5 percent of his shots from the field and 31.7 percent of his threes.

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

Out for the season with a torn ACL … Competed in 30 outings with one start, averaging a career-high 12.9 points per game on 56.2 percent shooting from the floor before going down.

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