The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1147681
AUGUST 2019 THE WOLVERINE 29 steals and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from long range. The German publication Der Ta- gesspiegel (The Daily Mirror) noted he'd be the one that got away. "At age 7, he started basketball at Alba and then went through the junior program," the publication noted. "Coach Aito Garcia Reneses, known in European basketball like no other for his talent [evaluation], would have preferred to take him to the pros when he was under 16 years old. Soon after, however, [Wagner] stood as the youngest player in club history for the first time for the pros on the floor. "In the past season, the 17-year-old then became an integral part of the team. He played 59 games for Alba, stood on average for more than 10 minutes on the court and took over even in crucial stages of responsibil- ity. "In the end, he was voted the best junior player in the basketball league; Wagner is considered the greatest tal- ent in German basketball." He started out as a skinny guard, but now he's approaching 6-8 while having maintained his guard skills. That's given him an advantage over several prospects his age, allowing him to post up guards and take big- ger players off the dribble. "When I started playing, I brought the ball up the court; from the start just learned guard skills," he said. "Now I'm still a little taller than most other guards, but still playing as one, and I think that's my biggest advan- tage that I have, the size advantage. With the shooting ability I can shoot over most other guys with no prob- lem. That's huge. "I think I'm going to play the wing. That's my best position, so I can also make some decisions with the ball in my hands. But … I've got to see how we'll play." His shot, though, is what sets him apart. He boasts a quick release and great range, and he's gotten more practice with it since he graduated high school last year. He is expected to be one of the missing pieces on a Michigan team with a lot of talent, and some think he is destined to be the next Wagner to go from U-M to the NBA. That he is even in Ann Arbor is a stunner given his visit coincided with the day John Beilein left for the Cleveland Cavaliers. "I'm not sure if I was leaning to- wards Michigan because I was re- ally indecisive at that moment, but one reason why I wanted to go to Michigan was the coaching staff," he said. "They have great experience and also know what it takes — espe- cially Juwan Howard — to get to the next level. "I think that's big for a lot of young guys coming into college, getting the experience of an ex-NBA player. I know Juwan knows what it takes to be an NBA player." The remaining staff did a great job showing him the ropes, he added. "Nobody really knew what was happening," Wagner said. "The coaching staff didn't really know if they were even going to be coaching next year. It was a little weird. But I got to meet some of the players. The coaches didn't know where their families were going to live for next couple years. It was crazy. "But I loved the campus. I had been there already, and it just looked like a first-class university." One he is ready to join this August to build upon his family's legacy. ❏ Wagner "One reason why I wanted to go to Michigan was the coach- ing staff. They have great experience and also know what it takes — especially Juwan Howard — to get to the next level. I think that's big for a lot of young guys coming into college, getting the experience of an ex-NBA player. I know Juwan knows what it takes to be an NBA player." Wagner earned the Best Young Player award (league's most valuable German player who is under age 22) in the BBL. PHOTO COURTESY ALBA BERLIN