The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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56 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JUNE/JULY 2026 ❱ MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Three different publications have Johnson No. 17 to the Oklahoma City Thunder (CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports, The Athletic), and others have him in the 20s — No. 20 to the San Antonio Spurs (ESPN), No. 23 to the Atlanta Hawks (Bleacher Report) and No. 29 to the Cleveland Cavaliers (Sports Illus- trated). Johnson is "undersized for his role despite his strength and doesn't have a ton of offensive versatility," The Ath- letic's Sam Vecenie wrote, but his ef- fort, athleticism and defensive prow- ess make him attractive for teams with first-round picks. "Johnson was one of my favorite players in college basketball," Vecenie added. "He was one of the most effi- cient players in the country, averaging 13.1 points per game while shooting 62.3 percent from the field. He got to the foul line four times per game and made 78 percent of those. He's a tough re- bounder who is physical on the interior and crashes with his long arms. But I love Johnson the most on defense; he was the best all-around defender on one of the three best defenses in the nation, and that included Lendeborg and Mara. He's tremendous as a post defender, flying around in help and showcasing switchability on the perimeter." FORMER WOLVERINES IN THE NBA PLAYOFFS Through May 10 • Colin Castleton (2018-20), C, Orlando Magic: Didn't appear in any postseason games for the Orlando Magic, which lost to the Detroit Pistons in seven games after earning the No. 8 seed. • Tim Hardaway Jr. (2010-13), G, Denver Nuggets: Shot 34.8 percent from three-point distance in the playoffs after that number was 40.7 percent in the regular season … Averaged 10.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in six postseason clashes … The Nug- gets fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games. • Jett Howard (2022-23), G, Orlando Magic: Logged 3 minutes in one postseason game. • Caris LeVert (2012-16), G, Detroit Pis- tons: Competed in nine clashes this post- season, averaging 3 points and 2.1 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game … The Pistons de- feated Orlando in seven games in Round 1 and are up 2-1 on Cleveland. • Isaiah Livers (2017-21), F, Phoenix Suns: Didn't see game action in the playoffs, af- ter appearing in 36 outings in the regular season. • Duncan Robinson (2014-18), F, De- troit Pistons: Registering 12.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 43.4 percent on threes in 10 post- season starts. • Franz Wagner (2019-21), F, Orlando Magic: Missed the final three games of the series with the Detroit Pistons (calf injury), coinciding with the Magic's collapse after building a 3-1 advantage … Averaged 16.8 points, 5.5 boards, 3.5 assists and 2.8 steals in 30.5 minutes per game in the first four tilts. • Moritz Wagner (2015-18), F, Orlando Magic: Saw time in two playoff games, av- eraging 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in 6.5 minutes per night. FORMER WOLVERINES IN THE MLB Through May 10 • Jake Cronenworth (2013-15), IF, San Diego Padres: Placed on the seven-day concussion injured list May 5 … Appeared in 32 games, batting .144 with a .468 OPS — both career- worst marks … Notched 14 hits, including 2 doubles and a home run, with 4 RBI. FORMER WOLVERINES IN THE NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS Through May 10 • Nick Blankenburg (2019-22), D, Colorado Avalanche: Totaled 1 goal in four postseason games … Colorado swept the Los Angeles Kings in the first round and leads 2-1 on the Minnesota Wild. • Luke Glendening (2009-12), C, Philadel- phia Flyers: Has taken part in 10 postseason tilts, accumulating 1 point on a goal … The Flyers were swept by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round, following a 4-2 series win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. • Quinn Hughes (2017-19), D, Minnesota Wild: Put up 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) in nine playoff games, with the Wild taking down the Minnesota Stars 4-2 in the first round and trailing 2-1 to Colorado in the next series … Made history in Game 3 versus the Avalanche, with his fourth goal of the postseason setting a franchise record for the most in the playoffs … Had 5 goals in the regular season. • Zach Hyman (2012-15), C, Edmonton Oil- ers: Put up 2 goals in six contests this post- season, before the Oilers' season ended with a 4-2 series loss to the Anaheim Ducks. • Josh Norris (2018-19), C, Buffalo Sabres: Appeared in six playoff games, putting up 1 goal … The Sabres ended Boston's season in the first round (4-1) and are down 2-1 to Montreal. • Owen Power (2021-22), D, Buffalo Sabres: Tallied 4 assists in nine playoff games. • Jacob Trouba (2013), D, Anaheim Ducks: Competed in 10 playoff games, lighting the lamp with 1 goal … The Ducks are tied 2-2 with the Las Vegas Golden Knights following a first- round win over the Edmonton Oilers (4-2). • Cam York (2019-21), D, Philadelphia Fly- ers: Posted 1 goal and 1 assist in 10 playoff outings … The Flyers were swept by the Caro- lina Hurricanes in the second round … Beat the Penguins 4-2 in the first round. Zach Werenski • NHL The Columbus Blue Jackets standout was named one of three finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, presented to the defenseman who "demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position." He tallied 81 points (22 goals, 59 assists) in 75 games this year. Max Bredeson • NFL The fifth-round selection signed his rookie contract with the Minnesota Vikings May 8. A tight end/fullback hybrid, he became the seventh Michi- gan tight end to be picked in the last eight drafts, including one or more in each of the last four. Dominic Zvada • NFL The former Michigan kicker was listed by Fansided as one of the top un- drafted free agent signings of this offseason, with the publication writing that he has a strong chance to beat out veteran contenders Jason Sanders and Ben Sauls for the New York Giants' starting job. — Clayton Sayfie HEADLINERS Former Michigan athletes in the news this month