The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JANUARY 2017 THE WOLVERINE 73 MICHIGAN IN THE PROS and play hard, play your game. That's what I tried to do." LeVert played only 14 games for Michigan in 2015-16, and averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.2 as- sists. He's worked diligently to get back to full health, earning the re- spect of his teammates. "It was fantastic. You guys didn't see any of the work he put in," Nets star Brook Lopez said. "He's been working for months — since the summer — for that moment. "It was great to see him out there. He was so active, and he brought us great minutes. I was so happy to see him out there." "I loved his speed out there," head coach Kenny Atkinson added. "Three steals and came out of nowhere. Had an energy. I love how hard he plays." LeVert admitted the rehab had been taxing. "It's been tough," he told The New York Post. "The performance staff has been on me ever since I got drafted really, working a lot of hours before and after everyone is here. I'm glad it finally paid off. "I love playing, I love competing, so [missing games] was probably the toughest part." Now that he's back, LeVert is ready to make an impact. Teammates and coaches believe he will. "I call him the hardest-working man I ever met," fellow rookie Isa- iah Whitehead said. "Just to be here every day so late and so early, really put the time in to get back. He had a real tough injury. "We're always supporting him, but it's him. He 100 percent put in the full effort to get where he is now." "It's not an easy thing," Atkinson added. "Especially in the beginning he was set apart, working his rehab, then off-court stuff, then on-court stuff. That can get boring, repetitive. His diligence, his work ethic, his character, all the stuff we believed in when we drafted him, has shown. Now that he's starting to get with the group and we're seeing him in game-like situations, I believe he's a system fit. "… He's a young guy. To stick with it and not have mood swings, to come in with a smile on your face [is rare]." LeVert had played in four games as of Dec. 14, and averaged 3.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 assists per game. He put up a season high of seven points (on 2-of-4 shooting from long range) in a 122-118 loss at Houston Dec. 12. FORMER WOLVERINES ON NBA ROSTERS Through Dec. 14 • Trey Burke (Played at U-M from 2011-13), PG, Washington Wizards: Averaging 4.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20 games played for 10-14 Washington … Shooting 44.1 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from three-point range. • Jamal Crawford (1999-2000), SG, Los Angeles Clippers: Saw action in 26 games for the 19-7 Clippers … Av- eraging 12.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25.4 minutes per game … Shooting 41.9 percent from the floor and 34.0 percent from three -point range. • Tim Hardaway Jr. (2010-13), SG, At- lanta Hawks: Averaging 11.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 25 games played for the 12-13 Hawks … Shoot- ing 44.8 percent from the floor and 30.3 percent from long range. • Caris LeVert (2012-16), SG, Brook- lyn Nets: Averaging 12.5 minutes, 3.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 assists per game while playing in four contests for the 7-17 Nets … Shooting 25.0 percent from the floor and 20.0 percent from three-point range. • Nik Stauskas (2012-14), SG, Phila- delphia 76ers: Averaging 9.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 26.1 minutes per game, while playing in 25 contests for the 6-19 76ers … Shooting 45.4 percent from the floor and 38.5 percent from long range. • Glenn Robinson III (2012-14), SF, Indiana Pacers: Posted 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 19.1 minutes per game, while appearing in 24 contests … Shooting 44.7 percent from the floor and 39.5 percent long range for the 13- 13 Pacers. ❏ LeVert grabbed four rebounds and made three steals in nine minutes while helping Brooklyn to a 116-111 victory over Denver Dec. 7 in his first professional game. PHOTO COURTESY USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES