Wolverines in the NBA: Isaiah Livers scores first points, Nik Stauskas signs with Boston Celtics
Two former Michigan basketball players had significant weeks for the future of their NBA careers.
First, former Wolverine forward Isaiah Livers scored his first two buckets in the league, nailing two triples in an overtime win over the Charlotte Hornets Feb. 27. Livers spent the beginning portion of the season recovering from a foot injury, before a stint in the G League. He followed up that performance by appearing in the next two contests and tallying a combined two points, two assists and one rebound in limited action.
Livers is ready to trust the process of the remainder of his rookie season, now that he’s healthy and getting his opportunity in the league.
“My hopes, dreams, aspirations are to just keep gathering experience,” Livers told MLive. “I want to have ups. I want to have downs. I want to see what it’s like. I want to have a game where I don’t do that well.
“Obviously, you want all the games to go well but I want to be in that experience and I want to be able to bounce back and just to let me know it’s okay to be human. I go out there with a smile on my face because I know at any given moment it could be taken away from me.”
Elsewhere, former Michigan guard Nik Stauskas had a big week himself. The former No. 8 overall draft pick in 2014 scored 57 and 43 points in back-to-back games for the G League’s Grand Rapids Gold, before being picked up by the Boston Celtics. Stauskas agreed to a two-year deal with the franchise, which is an Eastern Conference contender this season, according to ESPN.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Stauskas has made stops with the Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, Cleveland Cavaliers and, most recently, a 10-day stint with the Miami Heat. He also played overseas from 2019-21 before returning and competing in the G League. Now, it appears he has a new home.
Here is a complete update on every former Michigan basketball player in the NBA, specifically honing in on the last week of action.
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Ignas Brazdeikis (Played at Michigan from 2018-19), F, Orlando Magic
Appeared in 29 games for the 13-48 Magic, and averaging 2.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per contest, while connecting on 36.3 percent of his overall looks and 30.6 percent of his three-pointers.
Trey Burke (2011-13), G, Dallas Mavericks
The former Michigan guard is currently out with a shoulder injury.
Played in 32 games off the bench for the 38-25 Mavericks, who are fifth in the West … Averaging 10.8 minutes per clash … Registers 5.7 points and 1.4 assists per outing, while shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (2010-13), G, Dallas Mavericks
Suffered a foot injury Jan. 25 and had surgery … There is no timetable for his return.
Started 20 of his 42 games for the 38-25 Mavericks … Averages 14.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest, while connecting on 39.4 percent of his overall looks and 33.6 percent of his shots from deep.
Caris LeVert (2012-16), G, Cleveland Cavaliers
Currently out with a right foot injury he suffered before the All-Star break … His timetable for a return was one to two weeks at that time, so he should be nearing a return.
The former Michigan guard appeared in four clashes with one start for Cleveland, which is sixth in the East at 36-26, putting up 13.3 points, 3.8 assists and 1.5 rebounds per night, while shooting 39.7 percent overall and 28.6 percent from long range … Averaged 18.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while starting 39 tilts for the Pacers.
Isaiah Livers (2017-21), F, Detroit Pistons
Scored his first NBA points — nailing two three-pointers — in a 127-126 overtime win over the Charlotte Hornets Feb. 27 … Added two rebounds and one assist in the victory … Tallied two points, one rebound and one assist in a 116-113 loss to the Washington Wizards March 1 … Recorded one assist in a 108-106 win over the Toronto Raptors March 3.
The former Michigan forward has appeared in four games during his rookie season with the Detroit Pistons, who are 14th in the East with a 16-47 record … Totaled eight points, three assists, three rebounds, one block and one steal in 33 minutes.
Jordan Poole (2017-19), G, Golden State Warriors
Put up four points (0-7 FG, 4-4 FT), six rebounds and one assist in a 107-101 setback to the Dallas Mavericks Feb. 27 … Tallied 12 points (5-12 FG, 1-6 3PT), two rebounds and three assists in a 129-114 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves March 1 … Recorded 23 points (8-12 FG, 3-6 3PT), three rebounds and two assists in a 122-113 loss to the Dallas Mavericks March 3 … Hit his 300th career three-pointer in the loss.
The former Michigan guard is averaging 16.2 points, 3.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game, and has started 35 of his 57 appearances for the 43-20 Warriors, who sit second in the Western Conference … Connects on 43.8 percent of his overall looks and 33.4 percent of his shots from long range.
Duncan Robinson (2014-18), F, Miami Heat
Scored six points (2-4 FG, 2-4 3PT) in a 133-129 win over the San Antonio Spurs Feb. 26 … Put up nine points (3-8 FG, 3-8 3PT), three rebounds and two assists in a 112-99 victory over the Chicago Bulls Feb. 28 … Tallied 15 points (5-7 FG, 5-7 3)T) and two rebounds in a 120-119 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks March 2 … Went scoreless but notched seven assists and one rebound in a 113-107 triumph over the Brooklyn Nets March 3.
The former Michigan sharpshooter has started 56 of his 61 appearances for the first-place Miami Heat, which hold a 42-22 record … Averages 11.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per tilt, while shooting 39.6 percent from three-point range and 36.4 percent from three …
Nik Stauskas (2012-14), G, Boston Celtics
The former Michigan star and Big Ten Player of the Year agreed to a two-year contract with the Boston Celtics March 3, after scoring 57 and 43 points in consecutive games for the G League’s Grand Rapids Gold … The Celtics are 38-27, standing in fifth place in the East.
Franz Wagner (2019-21), F, Orlando Magic
Recorded 13 points (4-11 FG, 1-6 3PT), eight rebounds and three assists in a 119-111 win over the Houston Rockets Feb. 25 … Generated 15 points (6-10 FG, 1-2 3PT), two rebounds and three assists in a 119-103 win over the Indiana Pacers Feb. 28 … Went off for 28 points (10-18 FG, 4-6 3PT), six rebounds and one assist in a 112-114 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers March 2.
The former Michigan wing has started all 63 games for the 15-48 Magic, who hold the worst record in the NBA … Averages 15.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per contest, while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from long range.
Moritz Wagner (2015-18), F/C, Orlando Magic
Out with a left rib contusion and has not played since Feb. 6 … The former Michigan forward registers 7.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest, while shooting 50 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from beyond the arc … Appeared in 45 contests off the bench.
