The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JANUARY 2018 THE WOLVERINE 71 BY CHRIS BALAS F ormer Big Ten MVP and Michigan standout Nik Stauskas, a one-time first- round pick of the Sacramento Kings, has been reunited with former U-M teammate Caris LeVert. Philadelphia traded Stauskas and Jahlil Okafor to the Brooklyn Nets for Trevor Booker in early December. Stauskas had played in only six of 23 games for the 76ers. "He got shell-shocked in Sacramento by [DeMarcus] Cousins. His confidence was shot," an Eastern Conference scout told The New York Post. "He had a bad experience there and lost confidence. Cousins is a bad teammate, and it affected him poorly. "He came to Philadelphia, and showed flashes, but never consistency, never enough." Nets head coach Kenny At- kinson told NetsDaily.com he was looking forward to see- ing what he could do with the former U-M sniper. " O b v i o u s l y, h e ' s c o m - ing from a situation where he wasn't playing, so we are in the buildup phase [to] build confidence and show him where he can fit and definitely get a sense of where he is psychologically and emotionally," Atkinson said. "It's normal. Both of those guys are coming from a situa- tion where they weren't playing. "Hopefully the players agree with this — [I'm] a positive coach and someone who builds up and gives players freedom if they do certain things and defend the basketball." Stauskas said he was excited to be reunited with his former Michigan roommate. "I've stayed in touch a little bit with Caris," Stauskas said. "I didn't know too much about how the orga- nization ran. "From when I got here the last couple of days talking to Caris, all he says is this is a first-class organiza- tion on and off the court, and that's something that I'm excited to be a part of." Stauskas had played in two games with his new club as of Dec. 17, and posted averages of 11.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 22.0 min- utes per outing. FORMER WOLVERINES ON NBA ROSTERS Through Dec. 17 • Jamal Crawford (Played at U-M from 1999-2000), SF, Minnesota Tim- berwolves: Averaging 8.8 points, 2.2 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 17.6 min- utes per game for 17-13 Minnesota … Shooting 39.3 percent overall and 34.0 from long range. • Tim Hardaway Jr. (2010-13), SF, New York Knicks: Played in 21 games for the 16-13 Knicks, but was sidelined in December by a leg injury … Averag- ing 17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per contest. • Caris LeVert (2012-16), SG, Brooklyn Nets: Has seen action in all 29 games for the 11-18 Nets … Averaging 11.2 points, 3.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.2 percent from the floor and 29.4 percent from three-point range. • Glenn Robinson III (2012- 14), SF, Indiana Pacers: Had yet to play, but is expected to return in January after having ankle surgery stemming from an injury suffered during a pre- season scrimmage. • Nik Stauskas (2012-14), S G , P h i l a d e l p h i a 7 6 e r s : Played sparingly as the 76er's 12th man before being traded to Brooklyn Dec. 7 … Averag- ing 3.3 points and 1.0 rebound per game in eight outings … Posted averages of 11.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 22.0 minutes per contest in his first two outings with Brooklyn. • Derrick Walton Jr. (2013- 17), PG, Miami Heat: Saw action in four contests and notched two points for the 15- 14 Heat, but has spent most of his time in the G-League thus far. • D.J. Wilson, PF (2015-17), Milwau- kee Bucks: Played in 11 games in his rookie year for the 15-13 Bucks, notch- ing four points twice to account for all of his scoring. The NFL FORMER WOLVERINES ON NFL ROSTERS Through Dec. 17 • Richard Ash (Played at U-M from 2010-13), DT, Dallas Cowboys: Has played in nine games, starting two, and registered 14 tackles (11 solo) and one pass broken up since being elevated from the 8-6 Cowboys' practice squad. • Ben Braden (2013-16), OG, New York Jets: Has been on the 5-9 Jets' practice squad all season. • Tom Brady (1996-99), QB, New England Patriots: Has connected on In his first two games with the Nets, Stauskas averaged 11.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 22.0 minutes per contest. PHOTO COURTESY BROOKLYN NETS MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Nik Stauskas And Caris LeVert Are Reunited In Brooklyn