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Wolverines in the NBA: Crazy stat revealed regarding Zavier Simpson's debut

clayton-sayfieby: Clayton Sayfie04/07/22CSayf23
Michigan basketball Dug McDaniel
Former Michigan Wolverines basketball point guard Zavier Simpson is one of the winningest players in program history. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Former Michigan basketball players continue to stand out in the NBA, and a new name has emerged this week. Former Wolverines point guard Zavier Simpson was called up from the G League to the Oklahoma City Thunder, signing a 10-day contract that will last through the end of the season, and made his NBA debut against the Portland Trail Blazers April 5.

Simpson posted 10 points, five assists, three rebounds, two blocks and one steal in his first career NBA start. He played 44 minutes in the 98-94 win, which put him in rare air alongside some all-time greats.

According to Basketball Reference, Simpson is one of seven players to play 43-plus minutes in a victorious NBA debut, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Jerry Lucas, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Bill Walton and LaPhonso Ellis.

The former Michigan guard put his own special twist on his performance, of course, even cashing in on one of his signature running hook shots.

“One thing I’ve found is that guys who are that small that make it here, there’s tricks that they learn,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said of the former Michigan guard’s hook shot. “It’s almost like they’re learning how to survive in the jungle of basketball.” 

“Unguardable,” Thunder teammate Vit Krejci said. “I don’t know how he does that.” 

Fitting for a man who’s tied for second in all-time wins in Michigan program history, Simpson was happier about the win than anything else.

“It’s a great feeling, just being able to go out there and play, getting some energy from the crowd,” Simpson said. “Just continuing to chop wood. I think at one point in time we were down 14, and we were all like, let’s just try to make the best of it on both ends of the floor and try to get the dub.

“I’ll definitely remember it by the win, being able to go out there and represent myself and the Thunder, and to play well, play with the guys, get up and down, it was definitely a great experience. We got a dub in my first NBA [game], so I’m definitely excited and happy for it.”

Added Simpson: “I can’t be more appreciative of just having my name recognized and the opportunity to play at this level,” Simpson said. “I’ve obviously played in the G League, but this is like the real deal.”

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Ignas Brazdeikis (Played at Michigan from 2018-19), F, Orlando Magic

Scored in double figures in each of his last five games … Went for 13 points (5-7 FG, 3-5 3PT), two rebounds and one assist in a 102-89 loss to the Toronto Raptors April 1 … Recorded 13 points (5-12 FG, 3-6 3PT), four rebounds and three assists in a 118-88 setback to the New York Knicks April 3 … Tallied a career-high 20 points (8-16 FG, 2-6 3PT), six rebounds and two assists in a 120-115 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers April 5.

The former Michigan standout started one of his 40 appearances for the 21-59 Magic, who are last in the Eastern Conference standings … Averages 12 minutes per outing … Posts 4.6 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest, while shooting 43.6 percent overall and 33.3 percent from beyond the three-point arc.

Trey Burke (2011-13), G, Dallas Mavericks

Missed four games due to being in health and safety protocols but returned Wednesday night (April 6) against the Detroit Pistons … Played just two minutes and went 0-for-1 shooting from the field.

The former Michigan guard has seen action in 40 games for the 50-30 Mavericks, who have clinched a playoff spot and rank fourth in the Western Conference … Averages 5.2 points and 1.3 assists per tilt, while shooting 39.3 percent overall and 31.3 percent from three.

Tim Hardaway Jr. (2010-13), G, Dallas Mavericks

The former Michigan guard suffered a foot injury Jan. 25 and had surgery … No timetable for the former Michigan guard’s return, which is unlikely to be this season … Started 20 of his 42 games for the 48-29 Mavericks … Averaging 14.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per outing, while connecting on 39.4 percent of his overall looks and 33.6 percent of his triple tries.

Caris LeVert (2012-16), G, Cleveland Cavaliers

Scored nine points (4-9 FG, 0-1 3PT) and added five rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals in a 131-107 loss to the Atlanta Hawks March 31 … Posted 19 points (8-16 FG, 3-7 3PT), six rebounds, six assists and two steals in a 119-101 win over the New York Knicks April 2 … Recorded 18 points (7-14 FG, 2-5 3PT), seven assists, three rebounds and one steal in a 112-108 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers April 3 … Tallied 11 points (4-8 FG, 0-1 3PT), four rebounds and four assists in a 120-115 setback to the Orlando Magic April 5.

The former Michigan guard was inserted into the starting lineup March 26 and has resided there ever since, with eight starts in 17 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers … Averages 13.9 points, 3.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds per tilt with his new club, after being traded from the Indiana Pacers … The Cavaliers are 43-37 and sit seventh in the East.

Isaiah Livers (2017-21), F, Detroit Pistons

Tallied nine points (3-4 FG, 3-4 3PT), two rebounds and two assists in a 102-94 win over the Philadelphia 76ers March 31 … Notched a career-high 17 points (6-9 FG, 4-5 3PT), 11 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in a 110-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder April 1 … Registered 11 points (3-10 FG, 2-7 3PT), four rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block in a 121-117 win over the Indiana Pacers April 3 … Posted seven points (2-5 FG, 1-3 3PT), two rebounds and one assist in a 131-113 loss to the Dallas Mavericks April 6.

The former Michigan forward started three of his 17 games for the 23-57 Pistons, who are 14th in the East … Averages 6.3 points, three rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, while connecting on 43.4 percent of his overall shots and 41 percent of his three-pointers

Jordan Poole (2017-19), G, Golden State Warriors

Scored 20 or more points in 17 straight games … Went off for 31 points (9-22 FG, 6-15 3PT), six rebounds and six assists in a 111-107 win over the Utah Jazz April 2 … Posted 22 points (9-15 FG, 4-9 3PT), five rebounds and four assists in a 109-90 win over the Sacramento Kings April 3.

The former Michigan guard has started 48 of 73 games for the 50-29 Warriors, who are third in the West … Records 18.4 points, 3.8 assists and 3.4 rebounds per outing, while hitting 45.3 percent of his field goals and 36.8 percent of his three-pointers, both career-high shooting numbers.

Duncan Robinson (2014-18), F, Miami Heat

Put up eight points (2-7 3PT) in a 127-109 win over the Chicago Bulls April 2 … Did not score but notched one assist in 114-109 win over the Toronto Raptors April 3 … Went off for 21 points (7-11 3PT), two assists and one rebound in a 144-115 win over the Charlotte Hornets April 5.

The former Michigan sharpshooter has started 67 of his 77 games for the 52-28 Heat, who sit atop the Eastern Conference standings … Averages 11 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, while shooting 39.9 percent overall and 37.2 percent from long range.

Zavier Simpson (2016-20), G, Oklahoma City Thunder

The former Michigan point guard made his NBA debut in a 98-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers April 5, starting and playing 44 minutes … Shot 5-of-12 from the field, scored 10 points and added five assists and three rebounds … Put up four points (2-10 FG), 11 assists and three rebounds in a 137-101 loss to the Utah Jazz April 6 … Averaged 14.5 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.1 rebounds this year in the G League with the Oklahoma City Blue.

Nik Stauskas (2012-14), G, Boston Celtics

The former Michigan guard is currently out with a right ankle sprain … Played in six games for the 50-30 Celtics, who are second in the Eastern Conference standings, averaging 2.5 minutes per appearance … Posts 1.2 points per outing.

Franz Wagner (2019-21), F, Orlando Magic

The former Michigan wing is dealing with a sprained ankle and played just seven minutes over the last two games.

Started all 79 of his contests for the 21-59 Magic … Averages 15.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per outing … Shoots 46.8 percent from the field and is hitting 35.6 percent of his three-point attempts.

Moritz Wagner (2015-18), F/C, Orlando Magic

Posted eight points (3-8 FG), eight rebounds and one assist in a 102-89 loss to the Toronto Raptors April 1 … Recorded 18 points (118-88), nine rebounds and one assist in a 118-88 loss to the New York Knicks … Tallied 15 points (6-8 FG, 3-4 3PT), three rebounds and three assists in a 120-115 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The former Michigan forward has started one of his 61 games for the 21-59 Magic … Averages 8.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, while shooting 49.6 percent from the field and 32.8 percent from beyond the arc.