Michigan wing Jett Howard selected by Orlando Magic in lottery of 2023 NBA Draft
Michigan basketball wing Jett Howard had his professional basketball dreams realized on Thursday night, coming off the board at No. 11 overall of the first round to the Orlando Magic in the 2023 NBA Draft. He’s the Wolverines’ 19th lottery pick in history and highest-drafted player since Franz Wagner went to the Magic No. 8 overall in 2021.
Howard and his family — including Michigan head coach Juwan Howard — are in attendance in Brooklyn.
“Just excitement,” Howard told the ESPN broadcast of what was going through his mind moments after being picked. “I’m trying not to break down right now. Just all the work I put in with my dad these past few months and all the people that doubted me and that really helped me out, honestly. It helped me keep going. This has been a dream of mine since I can remember. It’s surreal.”
Juwan Howard — who played 19 years in the association — was asked what advice he’ll give his son as he embarks on his NBA career.
“Well, first I want to say, just keep God first,” Howard said. “Continue to put in the work, be humble with the process and be a sponge and listen. Listen! Because listening is a skill. If he sits there and just listens to the coaches, which he will, he’s the type of person that’s a sponge and he loves the game, with the great coaching that he has with the Orlando Magic to learn from a great staff, he’s going to be a special player.”
Howard averaged 14.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2 assists per game this season, starting and playing in 29 games this season. His one season at Michigan allowed him to play with his father, head coach Juwan Howard, and older brother, forward Jace Howard.
Howard’s selection is Michigan’s first first-round pick of the night. Kobe Bufkin is also expected to be taken in the first round. This could be the fifth draft Michigan has had multiple first-round selections, joining the 2014, 2013, 1994 and 1990 drafts. This is set to be the 16th draft with multiple Wolverines selected and third-straight, fourth out of the last five and six of the last 11.
“This was a great learning year for me,” Howard told ESPN after declaring. “It’s what I needed. It taught me how to play within a pro-style offense and be effective, to get out of my comfort zone, and play with other good players.”
He continued: “I’ve had both ankles nagging for a while, so my dad and the coaching staff agreed with the specialist that it’s better for me to get to 100%,” Howard said. “I was only 50-60% for most of the Big Ten. My dad being the coach he is was looking out for me and wanted the best for my health. He understands that ankles are tricky. I met with a specialist after the Big Ten Tournament and they wanted me to rehab for four to five weeks. Thank God it doesn’t require surgery or anything like that.”
Coming into Thursday night, Howard was ranked as the No. 20 prospect by Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.
“Knockdown 3-point shooter with the potential to hit off movement,” O’Connor writes. “He’s also comfortable pulling up from midrange and loves using a floater. High-IQ wing who knows how to be a playmaker, not just a scorer. He thrives in NBA-style actions, a lot like Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks do for the Grizzlies. He’ll slingshot around screens or handoffs toward the middle of the floor, take a dribble to draw the defense, and then fire a pass to a big man rolling to the basket. It’s an action every pro offense runs, and he runs it to perfection because of his improvisational feel.”
The Wolverines went 18-16 last season, missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015 and splitting the games they played in the NIT with a win over Toledo and a loss at Vanderbilt.
