The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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80 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2023 MICHIGAN IN THE PROS up 5.5 points and 2.4 rebounds an out- ing with a 39.9 field goal percentage and 35.7-percent clip on three-pointers. • Jordan Poole (2017-19), G, Golden State Warriors: Third on the team in both points (20.9) and assists (4.5) per game, while shooting 44 percent over- all and 33.5 percent from three-point range in 58 outings with 35 starts for the 29-29 Warriors, who stand ninth in the West … Scored 20-plus points in five of his nine February games, includ- ing a 38-point outburst in a Feb. 8 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. • Duncan Robinson (2014-18), F, Miami Heat: Underwent early-Janu- ary surgery on his finger, returning six weeks later in a Feb. 15 contest ver- sus the Brooklyn Nets … Played in 29 games off the bench, averaging 6.9 points, 2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game … Shooting a career-worst 36.5 percent from the field, with a 32.9 three-point field goal percentage (low- est since his rookie season in 2018-19; 28.6). • Franz Wagner (2019-21), F, Or- lando Magic: Collected 3 rebounds in the Jordan Rising Stars Challenge Feb. 17 as part of All-Star Weekend … That was his second appearance in the event … Second on the 24-35 Magic with 18.9 points per game, adding 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per clash … Shooting 48.4 percent overall and 36.6 percent from beyond the arc. • Moritz Wagner (2015-18), F/C, Or- lando Magic: Started 14 of 38 games and is averaging 21 minutes a night … Recording a career-best 11.2 points per game and contributing 3.7 re- bounds and 1.7 assists per tilt … His 61.9 two- point field goal percent- age ranks second on the team among those with 4 or more attempts per game, and he's connect- ing on 32 percent of his three-point tries. FORMER WOLVERINES IN THE NHL: FIVE STARS OF THE MONTH Through Feb. 19 1. Dylan Larkin (2015), C, Detroit Red Wings: Was named an All-Star for the third time in his career and powered the Atlantic Division to the championship … Scored a hat trick in the final and recorded 5 goals in the two contests played … Has 12 points in his last six games for the 26-21-8 Red Wings … His 56 points (22 goals, 34 assists) are tied for 31st in the league … Appeared in 54 games. 2. Matty B eniers (2021-22), C, Seattle Kraken: The rookie is tied for second on the 32-18-6 Kraken with 40 points (18 goals, 22 assists) in 54 ap- pearances … Leads all rookies in total points … His team is 20-3-2 this season when he registers at least 1 point … Was named an All-Star but did not play in the event due to an injury. 3. Zach Hyman (2012-15), C, Ed- monton Oilers: Accumulated 27 goals and 40 assists — with his 67 points slotting tied for 12th in the NHL — in 56 games for the 30-19-8 Oilers … His 27 goals match his career best for a season, which he set last year. 4. J.T. Compher (2014-16), LW, Colo- rado Avalanche: Recorded 11 goals and 27 assists in 55 contests for the 31- 19-5 Avalanche … Registered 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) in a Feb. 19 overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers, the sec- ond time this season and in his career that he's reached that point total … He's surpassed his previous career high in points (33 in 2021-22). 5. Kent Johnson (2021-22), C, Co- lumbus Blue Jackets: Tied for fifth among rookies with 27 points (12 goals, 15 helpers) in 54 games for the 18-34-5 Blue Jackets … Along with Beniers, he's a top contender for the Calder Trophy, presented annually to the NHL's top rookie. ❏ Derrick Walton • NBL In a Feb. 12 article, PickAndRoll.com ranked the Sydney Kings' point guard as the third-best offensive player in the National Basketball League. "Walton's dribble package, change of pace, vision (perhaps the league's best passer) and shooting ability were on show all season as he averaged 16.3 points and 6.3 assists," the site wrote. He added that Sydney ranked first in transition frequency, with Walton being the No. 1 scoring guard across the league in that setting. Aidan Hutchinson • NFL The Detroit Lions' defensive end finished second in Rookie of the Year voting, edged out by New York Jets cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner. Hutchinson was named the Pepsi Rookie of the Year, though, decided by fan vote. He became the first rookie since 1982 to record at least 9 sacks (9.5) and 3 interceptions (3). Zavier Simpson • NBA The point guard for the G League's Lakeland Magic, Simpson was named to the NBA G League's "Next Up Game" on All-Star weekend Feb. 19. He's averaging 15.9 points, 8.9 assists (third in the league) and 4.3 rebounds per game. His 51 three-point field goal percentage ranks third in the G League. — Clayton Sayfie HEADLINERS Former Michigan athletes in the news this month Jordan Poole is third on the team in both scoring (20.9 points) and assists (4.5) per game for the Golden State Warriors through 58 games. PHOTO COURTESY GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS