The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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22 THE WOLVERINE ❱ AUGUST 2023 BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan men's basketball sent two more first-round draft picks to the NBA in freshman Jett Howard and sophomore Kobe Bufkin, a feather in the cap for head coach Juwan Howard and his staff. But their losses, along with senior center Hunter Dickinson's de- fection to Kansas, left the Wolverines in search of an infusion of talent in the offseason. Alabama wing Nimari Burnett and Seton Hall forward Tray Jackson were good additions, and both will have roles for the 2023-24 Wolverines. Tennessee forward Olivier Nkam- houa, though, might have been the most important addition. He initially declared for the 2023 NBA Draft but withdrew his name before the May 31 deadline, deciding to return to college. Michigan, West Virginia, Baylor and Kansas State all hosted the 6-foot-9 forward before he finally pledged to the Wolverines, but not before some drama. U-M was reportedly "out of the run- ning" as of June 5. Two days later, he announced his pledge to Michigan. "My recruitment was a little bit of a crazy process," Nkamhoua said. "My visits — two of them I took before the deadline, and then two I took after. The whole time, I was still kind of figuring out the whole NBA thing. I really did wait until the last minute to make that decision, and then when it was time to focus on college, I did. … "It was a great process, and I think I made the right decision. I took my time and I looked at all my options. With [associate head coach] Phil [Martelli] having recruited me out of high school and the relationship I was able to build with Coach Howard and all the assistant coaches throughout the process — and even talking to the players — I just felt like it was a place I could come and grow with a bunch of guys that have a similar mindset to myself." Nkamhoua averaged 10.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Volun- teers last year, shooting 55.2 percent on two-pointers and 33.3 percent from three-point range. He saved his best for an NCAA Tournament win over Duke, notching 27 points with 3-of-4 triples and 5 rebounds in a big win. He had 16 double-digit scoring games, including another 27-pointer against Texas earlier in the year, in a solid season. He still has more to give, though, and he knows it. His shooting at the "4" spot is something the Wolverines desperately need, and it should help open the floor for sophomore center Tarris Reed Jr. "Playing with a big like T-Reed, I can space the floor and give him room to op- erate down low," Nkamhoua said. "But then at the same time because of his size, speed and athleticism, if I catch it on the block and I go to work and his guy goes to help out, I can drop it off, and I know that's an easy dunk. "I know we can play off each other really well. I'll be able to feed him on the ❱ MICHIGAN BASKETBALL Late Portal Addition Olivier Nkamhoua Has Big Plans Nkamhoua (left, at practice with Will Tschetter) averaged 10.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for Tennessee last year, highlighted by a 27-point performance in an NCAA Tournament win over Duke. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY