The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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42 THE WOLVERINE ❱ OCTOBER 2023 BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan men's basketball coach Juwan Howard underwent a suc- cessful heart procedure Sept. 15 at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center, the school reported. Dr. Himan- shu Patel successfully resected an aortic aneurysm and repaired Howard's aortic valve. Patel indicated that the 50-year-old Howard is expected to fully recover in six to 12 weeks and could return to the pro- gram in four to six weeks. Michigan asso- ciate head coach Phil Martelli will serve as the interim head coach during Howard's recovery process, while Saddi Washing- ton and Howard Eisley will maintain their assistant roles. Director of player person- nel and development Jay Smith will be elevated to the third assistant during the interim period. "I feel so grateful and blessed that this surgery was performed at University of Michigan Health," Howard said. "My wife, Jenine, and our family appreciate the world- class care that has been pro- vided to us. Dr. [Kim] Eagle, Dr. [Himanshu] Patel, Dr. [Stanley] Chetcuti, and all of the staff at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center are so talented and performed like champions throughout this process. I am going to work very hard in my rehabilitation to be stronger than ever by the time our up- coming season is upon us." Howard is the second straight Michigan men's basketball coach to undergo suc- cessful heart surgery during his tenure. Former coach John Beilein had two-vessel coronary bypass graft surgery in 2018 de- signed to improve blood flow to the heart by taking a healthy artery or vein from another part of the body and grafting it to the obstructed coronary artery. Howard's condition was identified during a routine medical check, and sur- gery was scheduled immediately to allow him to return for the 2023-24 season. "We are extremely grateful Juwan's proactive procedure was a success and that he is resting comfortably," Michi- gan athletics director Warde Manuel said. "We will continue to support Juwan, Jen- ine and his family as well as the program throughout his absence. "All of us at the athletic department have Juwan in our thoughts and prayers. We look forward to Juwan's return when he feels that he has fully recovered." WAGNER BROTHERS HELP GERMANY CAPTURE WORLD CUP GOLD Michigan basketball was fortunate to steal not one, but two outstanding bas- ketball-playing Wagner brothers from the German professional leagues in the past decade. Both Moritz, who played for John Beilein, and Franz, who suited up for Juwan Howard, helped lead the Wolver- ines to Big Ten championships and deep NCAA Tournament runs. Both brothers were also able to help their country on the international scene when they suited up for Germany in the World Cup championships in the Philippines. Franz Wagner scored 19 points and Moritz added 8 with 4 rebounds in an 83-77 Gold Medal game win Sept. 10 over NBA star Bogdan Bogdanovi ć-led Serbia. "It's special, and special to have our parents here, too," Franz Wagner said in a postgame interview. "It's just so surreal. It doesn't make sense that we're both on this team, and we can enjoy it together. We're going to have a good night." One reporter asked who was "crazier" at celebrations. "He is," Franz Wagner said with a chuckle. "Come on ... you know that." But both were excited to celebrate af- ter Franz's Player of the Game perfor- mance in which he notched 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals. He averaged 16.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game throughout the tourna- ment for Germany, helping to deliver the nation its first gold medal in the FIBA World Cup. The Orlando Magic standout was named second-team All- Tournament. Moritz, also Franz's teammate with the Orlando Magic, averaged 11.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 17.6 minutes per game over the eight contests. The team returned to Germany Sept. 12 to a hero's welcome, with fans greeting them at the airport. "I think we're just a great team. We can't just pick out one guy," Franz Wag- ner said. "We stick together as a group through tough times, and that's what made a huge difference." "It's hard work. It's a lot of belief," Moritz added. "You've got to start with belief. If you don't believe in that, you've got to do that. There's an opportunity to say how much you can do if you can believe. It's really cool to do this with all these guys." The German team took down the United States in the semifinals, a stunning 113-111 upset Moritz called "the biggest win in German basketball history" — and he's probably right. He scored 10 points and his brother 22 to lead the massive up- set and set up the showdown with Serbia. "We had a big goal coming in. … From the first day we got together this summer, we believed that we are a special group and can win against any team," Franz said. MORE WORLD CUP WOLVERINES • Prior to the medal round, the 2023 FIBA World Cup group stage took place in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia starting Aug. 25, and the Wagner brothers weren't the only Wolverines (past or pres- ent) to partake. Tennessee transfer Olivier Nkam- houa, who joined the U-M team this summer, spent much of his youth in Finland and played for his home country. He averaged 8.0 points in 18.2 min- utes per game, shooting 57.1 percent from the floor. He also notched 3.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. • Michigan sophomore Youssef Khayat made the Lebanon National Team's official roster but did not participate in the FIBA World Cup due to injury. He is expected to recover to full strength for Michigan this season. • Finally, former Michigan player Ignas Brazdei- kis (2018-19) represented Lithuania and averaged 11 points in 23 minutes per game, shooting 48.5 percent from the floor, 52 percent from long range, and averaging 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Braz- deikis spent some time in the NBA but has played professionally in Lithuania for the past year. ❑ ❱ MICHIGAN BASKETBALL Juwan Howard Undergoes Successful Heart Surgery HOWARD