The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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64 THE WOLVERINE ❱ APRIL 2024 ❱ MICHIGAN IN THE PROS the shoulders of Robinson — the Heat's all-time leader in made threes — who paced all scorers. "He came out super aggressive be- hind the three-point line, and then that opened up a lot of different things from there," Miami head coach Erik Spoel- stra said. "Once he knocked down a few, then we were able to run offense through him and then play off some of their aggressive coverages, trying to get him off the line. "And that's a big part of our menu. You take out Jimmy, you don't have Ty- ler — you have to be able to maximize your next best actions, whatever they may be." The 29-year-old's game has become much more well-rounded this season, after an up-and-down year in 2022- 23, and that versatility was on display in the victory. He's already more than tripled his amount of made field goals and three-pointers from a season ago, and he's averaging a career-high with 3.0 assists per game. "Duncan has evolved and grown so much as a player," Spoelstra said. "He basically hit every aspect of the game offensively. The threes, the catch-and- shoot threes, his spot-up threes, the catch-and-gos, the curl cuts, the passes from aggressive coverages. "One of the biggest plays of the game was the pocket pass to Bam for a dunk when they were making their run. Dun- can works at it tirelessly. He's really im- proved with his entire skill set." FORMER WOLVERINES IN THE NBA Through March 17 • Kobe Bufkin (Played at U-M from 2021-23), G, Atlanta Hawks: Hasn't played since March 2 due to a toe injury … Appeared in nine games off the bench for the 30-37 Hawks, averaging 3.7 points, 1.7 assists and 1.6 rebounds per outing … Shooting 35.1 percent from the field and 29.4 percent (5 of 17) from three-point distance. • Moussa Diabate (2021-22), F, Los Angeles Clip- pers: Has seen action in 11 contests for the 42-25 Clippers, totaling 29 points, 24 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals and 1 block in 64 minutes. • Tim Hardaway Jr., (2010-13), G, Dallas Mav- ericks: Averaging 15.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per contest, while connecting on 40.7 percent of his shots from the field, including 35.9 percent of his tries from long range, in 65 tilts with 10 starts for the 39-29 Mavericks … His 36.2 field goal percentage after the All-Star break is down from his previous mark of 41.4. • Caleb Houstan (2021-22), G, Orlando Magic: Competed in 51 games with 10 starts for the 40- 28 Magic, registering 4.3 points and 1.5 rebounds per game … Making 38.5 percent of his field goal attempts and 37.1 percent of his looks from three- point range. • Jett Howard (2022-23), G, Orlando Magic: Logged 14 appearances, tallying 23 points, 5 re- bounds, 3 assists and 1 block in 52 minutes … Shooting 34.8 percent overall and 27.8 percent (5 of 18) on threes. • Caris LeVert (2012-16), G, Cleveland Cavaliers: Averaging 13.8 points, 5.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 28.2 minutes per game with 55 appearances and three starts for the 42-25 Cavaliers … Connecting on 41.4 percent of his field goal attempts and has a 32.4 percent three-point shooting clip. • Isaiah Livers (2017-21), F, Washington Wiz- ards: Ruled out for the season Feb. 26 due to a hip injury … Traded from the Detroit Pistons to the Wizards Jan. 14 and has yet to play in a game with his new team. • Jordan Poole (2017-19), G, Washington Wiz- ards: Started 54 of his 66 games for the 11-57 Wizards … Averaging 16.7 points, 3.9 assists and 2.5 rebounds per outing, while shooting 41.1 per- cent from the field and 32.4 percent from long range (his worst three-point shooting figure since his rookie season). • Duncan Robinson (2013-17), F, Miami Heat: Appeared in 62 contests with 30 starts for the 37-30 Heat, tallying 13.7 points, 3.0 assists and 2.5 boards on average … Shooting 46.0 percent overall and 40.6 percent on threes, with 2.9 made triples per game. • Franz Wagner (2019-21), F, Orlando Magic: Opened all 60 games in which he's played, record- ing 20.1 points (second on team), 5.6 rebounds (third) and 3.9 assists (second) per game … Holds a 47.9 field goal percentage with a career-low 29.2 percent mark on three-pointers. • Moritz Wagner (2015-17), F/C, Orlando Magic: Played in 66 contests with one start, averaging 18.1 minutes … Posting 11.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per contest, while shooting a career-best 59.5 percent overall and 32.0 percent from deep. FORMER WOLVERINES IN THE NHL: FIVE STARS OF THE MONTH Through March 17 • Kyle Connor (Played at U-M from 2015-16), LW, Winnipeg Jets: Leads the 43-19-5 Jets, who are tied atop the Central Division, with 29 goals as part of his 47 points in 51 games. • Zach Hyman (2012-15), C, Edmonton Oilers: Paces the 40-21-4 Oilers with 46 goals — 13 more than the player with the second most on the team — and also has 19 assists. • Zach Werenski (2014-16), D, Columbus Blue Jackets: Second on the 23-34-11 Blue Jackets in both points (40) and assists (36), while also con- tributing 4 goals in 56 appearances. • Quinn Hughes (2017-19), D, Vancouver Ca- nucks: Checked in at No. 3 on Bleacher Report's ranking of the top 10 American players in the NHL, released Feb. 25. He leads the league's defense- men with 77 points (13 goals, 64 assists) in 68 outings for the 42-18-8 Canucks, who are on top of the Pacific Division. • Brendan Brisson (2021-22), C, Vegas Golden Knights: Totaled 5 assists and 2 goals in 13 games after making his NHL debut Jan. 15 for the 36-24-7 Golden Knights. He scored points in three straight games during a stretch in February and two out of three from Feb. 29 to March 9. Joey Baker • NBA G League The former Duke (2019-22) and Michigan (2022-23) guard was signed by the Grand Rapids Gold, the Denver Nuggets' G League affiliate, March 7, after a brief stint playing in Lithuania. He's played in four games with the Gold, averaging 3.3 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.3 minutes. Cam York • NHL PhiladelphiaFlyers.com's Bill Meltzer wrote the following about the Flyers defenseman March 15: "Cam York has taken huge strides over the course of his 154-game National Hockey League career. He does many things well — great feet, smart positioning, quick stick — and breaks up many developing plays before they ever turn dangerous. York is so smooth that he often gets overlooked if he's not putting up points to go with it." Michael Onwenu • NFL The fifth-year pro was ranked the No. 8 free agent of this offseason by NFL.com and signed a three-year, $57 million deal to stay with the New England Patriots. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, he's expected to be the team's starting right tackle moving forward. HEADLINERS Former Michigan athletes in the news this month