The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1497536
MAY 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 55 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE F our former Michigan players are in the NBA Playoffs — guards Caris LeVert (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Jor- dan Poole (Golden State Warriors), and forwards Moussa Diabate (Los Angeles Clippers) and Duncan Robinson (Miami Heat). LeVert and Poole are set to make the biggest impacts, with their teams play- ing the New York Knicks and Sacra- mento Kings, respectively. Poole and teammates Steph Curry and Klay Thompson combined to make 779 three-pointers for the defending champs this season — the most by a trio on the same team in NBA history. The three also all averaged more than 20 points per game (Poole was at 20.4), a first for a trio of backcourt players on the same squad. LeVert is a key bench player averaging 12.1 points per contest for a Cavaliers' squad capable of contending for the Eastern Conference title. Diabate, meanwhile, didn't appear in Game 1 of the Clippers' series with the Phoenix Suns. The rookie was up and down between the NBA and the G League this season, and he hasn't seen more than 10 minutes in an NBA game since Jan. 29. Robinson, too, is a reserve, though he did log six minutes in the Heat's Game 1 upset win over the Milwaukee Bucks, making a three-pointer. He battled a finger injury earlier in the season and has seen inconsistent playing time, but he has postseason experience, with 91 made threes in 39 playoff games, and could be a factor off the bench. FORMER WOLVERINES IN THE NBA Through April 16 • Moussa Diabate (played at U-M from 2021-22), F, Los Angeles Clip- pers: Appeared in 22 games with one start, averaging 2.7 points and 2.3 re- bounds per outing for the 44-38 Clip- pers, who earned the No. 5 seed in the West and are taking on the Phoenix Suns in the first round … Also spent time in the G League, averaging 15.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in ❱ MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Four Wolverines Advance To NBA Playoffs Former Wolverine Jordan Poole and his Golden State teammates Steph Curry and Klay Thompson combined to make 779 three-pointers for the defending champs this season — the most by a trio on the same team in NBA history. PHOTO COURTESY GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS