The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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inside michigan athletics ESPN commentator and former Wolverine Jalen Rose summed it up this way: "The Utah Jazz have needed a point guard for the most part since John Stockton retired. Trey Burke is clearly, to me, the most conventional and best point guard in this draft. He can play off pick and roll, get his own shot and make players around him better." Burke became Michigan's first first-round pick since Jamal Crawford jumped early to the NBA in 2000. Burke led the Wolverines to the national title game, averaging 18.6 points per contest. Now, he's fully focused forward. "I'm ready to come right in and work hard from day one, ready to make an impact," Burke said. "I'm excited right now. I want to thank everyone." Hardaway had to wait a bit longer to draw the NBA stamp of approval, but it arrived nonetheless. He certainly didn't land in a nondescript venue, going to the New York Knicks with the 24th pick of the first round. Some questioned Hardaway's decision to leave Michigan after his junior season, but the shooting guard demonstrated in the days leading up to the draft how effective he could be. He ranked No. 1 on the opening day at a pre-draft shooting drills camp in Chicago, connecting on 19 of 25 from three-point range. He also demonstrated a 37.5-inch vertical jump, revealing another aspect of his athleticism. "I've just been in the gym each and every day getting better," he said in a pre-draft interview on "The Huge Show." "I'm working out from 9 to noon every morning, lifting afterward, getting better and stronger. I'm improving each and every day. I go to workouts and show energy, passion for the game, and I'm very confident in my skills. I'm still just getting more consistent on my shot — I have to improve in every aspect, take it to next level so in the NBA I can provide extra energy or lift whenever I'm on the court." Hardaway left Michigan nearly on top of the college basketball world. He expressed plenty of appreciation, and no regrets, for his time spent in Ann Arbor. "It was an honor and privilege to be there and play there in front of all those people, and at the University of Michigan," he said. "It was not one thing that made me leave — it was just me being confident. I don't have any regrets leaving, but Ann Arbor is a great city. I love Michigan to death. I just felt it was right for me to leave at this time, take care of my own business. "I think I've left a great legacy at the University of Michigan. I'm proud of that program and what we've been carrying since I've been there. It's great to be part of that Michigan history. I think I showed them a guy who never gave up, never quit, was very passionate and gave it all on the court for the Michigan program. I feel happy where we've taken the program from Manny Harris to Zack Novak, to all the seniors this year."