Wolverines in the NBA: Caris LeVert returns from injury, Franz Wagner goes off for 28 points, more
Michigan Wolverines in the NBA continue to make big impacts.
Former Michigan guard Caris LeVert has seen his NBA career plagued by injuries, but he’s continually bounced back. After suffering a stress fracture in his back late in the offseason, LeVert returned to the floor after missing the first six games for the Indiana Pacers.
He played in a Oct. 30 loss to the Toronto Raptors, but was on a minutes restriction, seeing action in just 16 minutes. He put up 15 points, two assists and one rebound. He got to play a bit more in a win over the San Antonio Spurs Nov. 1, pouring in 16 points and dishing out seven assists.
“It felt good. It felt great,” LeVert told NBATV following the game. “My body is feeling good. More importantly, we got the win, so it was a great night for us.”
The Pacers went 1-5 in their first six clashes, but is now getting much-needed production from LeVert upon his return.
“Just some energy,” LeVert said when asked what he brings to the club. “I’m six years in now, so I’ve seen a lot; I’ve played against all these guys, and I know the game very well. So just bringing my presence on the court, more than anything else, gave us a boost.”
Orlando Magic rookie Franz Wagner continues to shine in the early going, and put the league on notice with his 28-point performance in the team’s second win of the season Nov. 1. He shot 10-of-18 from the field and 5-of-9 from long range, while grabbing four rebounds, dishing out two assists and notching two steals and one block in the victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Having started all eight games for the 2-6 Magic, Wagner is averaging 15.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per clash, while shooting 50.5 percent overall and 46.3 percent from long range.
Elsewhere, the Golden State Warriors have exercised the fourth-year contract option on guard Jordan Poole, which is for the 2022-23 season, the team announced Oct. 29. Poole has started all six games this season and figures to be a big part of the organization’s future, evidenced by its decision.
Perhaps none of the Michigan Wolverines in the NBA have been more of a pleasant surprise than Poole, who had a rough rookie season but has turned things around.
Here is an update on former Michigan Wolverines in the NBA, through Nov. 2.
Ignas Brazdeikis (Played at Michigan from 2018-19), F, Orlando Magic
Scored five points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3PT) and added three rebounds in the Magic’s loss to the Detroit Pistons Oct. 30, marking his only appearance in the last week.
Averaging 1.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 9.2 minutes per game, while shooting 23.1 percent (3-of-13) from the field and 12.5 percent (1-of-8) from long range.
Trey Burke (2011-13), G, Dallas Mavericks
Posted 11 points (3-8 FG, 1-3 3PT), one rebound, one assist and one steal in 16 minutes during a loss to the Denver Nuggets Oct. 29.
Registering 5.3 points and 1.3 assists in 9.7 minutes per clash, while shooting 41.7 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (2010-13), G, Dallas Mavericks
Put up 16 points (5-14 FG, 4-11 3PT), three rebounds, three assists and two steals in a win over the Sacramento Kings Oct. 31 … Scored 17 points (5-15 FG, 4-13 3PT) and added three rebounds, three assists and one block in a loss to the Miami Heat Nov. 2.
Starting all seven contests, he’s generating 13.9 points, three rebounds and 1.9 assists in 30.6 minutes per game, while shooting 39.5 percent overall and 36.8 percent from long range.
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Caris LeVert (2012-16), G, Indiana Pacers
Missed the first six games of the season but returned Oct. 30 and has played in two contests with two starts … Put up 15 points (6-10 FG, 1-3 3PT), two assists, two steals and one rebound in 16 minutes in a loss to the Toronto Raptors Oct. 30 … Posted 16 points (6-19 FG, 3-7 3PT), seven assists and two rebounds in a win over the San Antonio Spurs Nov. 1.
Isaiah Livers (2017-21), F, Detroit Pistons
The rookie is still recovering from a foot injury he suffered late in his final collegiate season.
Jordan Poole (2017-19), G, Golden State Warriors
Put up nine points (4-9 FG, 0-2 3PT), three assists, two rebounds and one steal in an overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies Oct. 28 … Scored 14 points (6-15 FG, 2-6 3PT) and added four assists, three rebounds and one steal in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder Oct. 30.
Started all six games for the 5-1 Warriors … Averaging 14 points, four assists and 2.7 rebounds in 27.8 minutes per contest, while shooting 40.7 percent from the field and 24.3 percent from three-point range.
Duncan Robinson (2014-18), F, Miami Heat
Recorded 10 points (4-14 FG, 2-11 3PT), three rebounds, one assist and one steal in a win over the Charlotte Hornets Oct. 29 … Registered 10 points (5-10 FG, 5-10 3PT) and five rebounds in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies Oct. 30 … Put up six points (2-3 FG, 2-2 3PT), one rebound and one steal in a win over the Dallas Mavericks Nov. 2.
Opened all seven contests for the 6-1 Heat … Averaging 9.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 28 minutes per game, while shooting 37.5 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from long range.
Franz Wagner (2019-21), F, Orlando Magic
Tallied 10 points (4-12 FG, 1-2 3PT), four rebounds, two assists and one steal in a loss to the Toronto Raptors Oct. 29 … Put up 19 points (8-15 FG, 3-6 3PT), three rebounds, two assists and one steal in a loss to the Detroit Pistons Oct. 30 … Broke out for a career-high 28 points (10-18 FG, 5-9 3PT), four rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Nov. 1.
Started all eight games for the 2-6 Magic, averaging 15.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per clash, while shooting 50.5 percent overall and 46.3 percent from long range.
Moritz Wagner (2015-18), F/C, Orlando Magic
Did not score but grabbed one rebound in a loss to the Toronto Raptors Oct. 29 … Put up a season-high 13 points (4-7 FG, 4-6 3PT), five rebounds and one assist in a loss to the Detroit Pistons Oct. 30 … Posted two points (1-1 FG) and one rebound in a triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves Nov. 1.
Appeared in all eight games off the bench for the 2-6 Magic, averaging 5.4 points and 2.8 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per contest, while shooting 40 percent from the field and 36 percent on threes.
Michigan Wolverines In The NBA G League
Michigan Wolverines in the NBA G League include the following seven players, with the league beginning regular-season play Friday night (Nov. 3).
• Chaundee Brown, South Bay Lakers (Los Angeles Lakers)
• Charles Matthews, Canton Charge (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• Zavier Simpson, Oklahoma City Blue (Oklahoma City Thunder)
• Mike Smith, Sioux Falls Skyforce (Miami Heat)
• Nik Stauskas, Grand Rapids Gold (Denver Nuggets)
• Jon Teske, Lakeland Magic (Orlando Magic)
• Derrick Walton Jr., Motor City Cruise (Detroit Pistons)
