Skip to main content
Michigan

Michigan alum Duncan Robinson reunites with Caris LeVert in Detroit: 'I'm excited to be back with him'

Anthony Broomeby: Anthony Broome07/15/25anthonytbroome
Duncan Robinson
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball alums Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert are back on the same team again, joining the Detroit Pistons this offseason.

The reunion puts two former U-M stars back on the same team after their college days, 45 minutes down the road in Ann Arbor. They were teammates under head coach John Beilein from 2014-16.

Robinson returned to the state during free agency, signing a three-year, $48 million deal with Detroit as part of a sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat, where he spent the first seven seasons of his career. Levert signed a two-year, $29 million contract in the Motor City this offseason.

“Caris and I were really good friends in college and we’ve kept up that way pretty much across our entire careers,” Robinson said from NBA Summer League action, via the Detroit Free Press. “He’s an incredible player. One of the best people I’ve ever been around in terms of a teammate. I’m excited to be back with him. Outside of competing against him, I didn’t really know any of these guys too well and they’ve been super welcoming. It is nice to have somebody joining me who will also be new, who I do know really well. So that’ll be good.”

Robinson and Levert join a Pistons team that is coming off a playoff appearance spearheaded by up-and-coming star Cade Cunningham.

 ”It’s been great and it’s a really fun group,” Robinson said. “To be able to come out here and have a little mini camp or whatever with practices and just being able to spend time around guys, getting meals, hanging out, coming to games, supporting these guys has been awesome.

“It’s a great blend of super ambitious young guys. Some guys have been through it before as well. So yeah, I’m just excited to be a part of it for sure. It’s been a, it’s been sort of a whirlwind, but it’s been a fun couple of weeks.”

Robinson was in Ann Arbor for four seasons, so returning to the state and reacclimating to a place he used to call home has been an enjoyable experience.

 I just spent a little bit of time last week just coming in and getting all my medical stuff done,” Robinson said. “But coming back to a version of home is great. I spent four years in Ann Arbor and loved it. Spent some time coming into Detroit when I was there. I’m excited to be back for sure.”

The former Michigan star is expected to add some veteran shooting to a group looking to increase its floor spacing around Cunningham and the Pistons’ young core of players. Robinson has averaged 11.3 points per game in his NBA career, shooting a shade under 40 percent (39.3 percent) from three for his career on 7.2 attempts per game.

 ”I think first and foremost, trying to, to bring some leadership [to the franchise],” Robinson said. ” I’ve been a part of some really good teams. I’ve played a lot of different roles, so just embracing whatever is asked of me as an older guy. In terms of actually on the court, playing the right way, getting other guys. Involved. How defense guards me to create opportunities for other guys. And just competing and trying to move the needle to help us win.

“I’m excited. I mean, this group is super competitive, super ambitious, so I’m excited for it.”

Robinson, who was an undrafted free agent signing in 2018, has made over $73 million during his NBA career. He never missed a contest in three seasons at Michigan and suited up in 115 games as part of the Maize and Blue. Robinson was a Michigan captain in 2017-18 and was the Big Ten’s Sixth Man of the Year that season, playing in 41 games with 19 starts as part of a group that would advance to the national championship game against Villanova.

Detroit was the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference last year, losing to the New York Knicks in a six-game series in the opening round.

You may also like