The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JUNE/JULY 2021 THE WOLVERINE 63 BY AUSTIN FOX C aris LeVert made his Indiana Pacers debut March 13 after be- ing acquired from the Brooklyn Nets, and he is turning into a superstar with his new squad. He averaged 14.9 points per game throughout the second half of March with Indiana, but saw that total jump to 22.1 in 16 contests during the month of April. LeVert's upward trajectory only intensified in May, with the Picker- ington, Ohio, native averaging 27.6 points in the Pacers' first five games of the month. Three 30-point performances were included during that stretch, highlighted by a near-triple-double against Washington May 8 when he racked up 35 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. He was asked after the Washington game if he's hitting his stride at the right time. "I think so," LeVert admitted. "The coaches and my teammates look to me to make big plays down the stretch. "I feel like my body is turning that corner right now, and it's coming at the right time for sure." FORMER WOLVERINES ON NBA ROSTERS Through May 9 • Ignas Brazdeikis (Played at U-M from 2018-19), F, Orlando Magic: Av- eraged 0.5 points and 0.5 rebounds in just 1.8 minutes of action in four games for the 38-30 Knicks, before being traded to the 47-21 76ers March 25 … Did not score and pulled down only two rebounds in one appearance for Phila- delphia before being waived April 8 … Signed to a 10-day contract by the 21-47 Magic May 2 and averaged 30.3 minutes, 11.3 points and 5.0 rebounds in four outings (no starts) with the club. • Trey Burke (2011-13), G, Dallas Mavericks: Was averaging 14.8 min- utes, 6.8 points and 1.3 assists in 58 con- tests (one start) for the 40-28 Mavericks, while shooting 36.8 percent from three- point range. • Tim Hardaway Jr. (2010-13), G/F, Dallas Mavericks: Started 27 of his 66 appearances, was averaging 16.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per game, and was shooting 39.4 percent from beyond the arc … His scoring total was the third-best mark on the team. • Caris LeVert (2012-16), G, Indi- ana Pacers: Averaged 18.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 12 show- downs (four starts) for the 44-24 Brook- lyn Nets, before being traded to the 31-36 Pacers Jan. 16 … Underwent suc- cessful surgery Jan. 26 to treat renal cell carcinoma (a form of kidney cancer) … Started all 31 games he played in with Indiana, and was averaging 20.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 32.7 minutes per contest with his new club … His scoring total was the second- best mark on the team since joining. • Jordan Poole (2017-19), G, Golden State Warriors: Was averaging 11.0 points in 19.0 minutes per game in 47 appearances (six starts) for the 35- 33 Warriors … Spent a portion of the season with the G-League's Santa Cruz Warriors. • Duncan Robinson (2014-18), F, Miami Heat: Started all 68 games for the 37-31 Heat … Was averaging 13.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in 31.6 min- utes per outing, while shooting 40.8 percent from three-point range … His 3.5 triples made per contest were tied for the fourth most in the NBA. • Glenn Robinson III (2012-14), F, Free Agent: Started two of the 23 con- tests he participated in for the 30-38 Kings, and averaged 5.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game … Waived by Sacramento Feb. 24 and has been a free agent ever since. MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Caris LeVert Has Turned Into A Scoring Machine With The Pacers LeVert notched three 30-point outings and averaged 27.6 points per contest in Indiana's first five games in May. PHOTO COURTESY PACERS SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT