Wolverines in the NBA: Jordan Poole hits game-winner, Moritz Wagner playing his best basketball
Former Michigan Wolverines basketball guard Jordan Poole is having another impressive season for the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors. He’s averaging 20.8 points, 4.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game, an electrifying scorer who can put up points in bunches.
With Golden State dealing with health issues with its prized backcourt of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson over the last couple seasons, too, Poole has stepped into a bigger role when needed. He had to again Jan. 25 against Memphis, when Curry was ejected from the game after throwing his mouthpiece into the crowd.
The Warriors had the ball under the Grizzlies’ basket with 2.6 seconds left, and inbounded it to Poole underneath. He had a step on his man and was able to finish the creative layup with his left hand to put his team up 122-120 with one second left in the win over the 32-18 Grizzlies, who stand second in the West.
In the Eastern Conference, meanwhile, former Michigan forward Moritz Wagner is playing the best basketball of his professional career. A couple seasons ago, Wagner was in jeopardy of missing an NBA roster. Now, he’s averaging career bests in points (11.5), rebounds (5.3, assists (1.8) and minutes (21.7) per game, while shooting 50 percent from the field and 32 percent on threes for the Orlando Magic.
His season has been highlighted by back-to-back 20-plus-point outings off the bench, scoring 27 in a loss to Chicago Jan. 28 and 22 in a win over the 76ers Jan. 30. He hit a jump shot and sank two free throws in the last two and a half minutes of the latter game, helping snap Philadelphia’s seven-game winning streak.
Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the league is performing.
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Moussa Diabate (played at Michigan from 2021-22), F, Los Angeles Clippers (two-way contract)
Recent games: Put up 2 points, 1 rebound and 1 block in seven minutes of a 138-100 win over the San Antonio Spurs Jan. 26 … Registered career highs in minutes (30) and points (13) in a 122-99 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers Jan. 29, adding 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.
Season: The former Michigan forward has appeared in 14 games with one start for the 28-25 Clippers, who stand fourth in the Western Conference … Averaging 3.6 points and 3.1 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per outing.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (2010-13), G, Dallas Mavericks
Recent games: Posted 5 points (2-9 FG, 1-7 3PT), 3 rebounds, 3 assist and 1 steal in a 127-126 loss to the Washington Wizards Jan. 24 … Registered 11 points (4-11 FG, 2-6 3PT), 9 rebounds and 3 assists in a 99-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns Jan. 26 … Recorded 10 points (4-12 FG, 1-7 3PT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in a 108-100 setback to the Utah Jazz Jan. 28 … Put up 8 points (3-10 FG, 1-6 3PT), 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in a 111-105 triumph over the Detroit Pistons Jan. 30.
Season: The former Michigan guard has played in 48 games with 31 starts for the 27-25 Mavericks, who are sixth in the West … Averaging 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists per clash, while connecting on 38.2 percent of his field goal attempts, including 35.1 percent of his three-pointers.
Caleb Houstan, (2021-22), G, Orlando Magic
Season: Recalled to the Orlando Magic Jan. 29, after being relegated to the G League’s Lakeland Magic … He’s played in 30 games with two starts in the NBA, averaging 4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 16.5 minutes.
Caris LeVert (2012-16), G, Cleveland Cavaliers
Recent games: Notched 9 points (3-6 FG, 2-4 4PT), 2 rebounds and 3 assists in a 105-103 loss to the New York Knicks Jan. 24 … Registered 12 points (4-10 FG, 2-6 3PT), 5 assists, 1 rebound and 2 steals in a 113-95 win over the Houston Rockets Jan. 26 … Recorded 2 points (1-12 FG, 0-6 3PT), 9 assists and 3 rebounds in a 112-100 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder Jan. 27 … Put up 12 points (4-10 FG, 4-6 3PT), 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 steal in a 122-99 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers Jan. 29.
Season: The former Michigan guard has played in 48 games with 25 starts for the 31-21 Cavaliers, who are fifth in the Eastern Conference … Recording 12.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game, while shooting 41.1 percent from the field and a career-best 37.6 percent from three-point range.
Isaiah Livers (2017-21), F, Detroit Pistons
Recent games: Posted 2 points (1-5 FG, 0-2 3PT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block in a 130-122 win over the Brooklyn Nets … Registered 5 points (2-5 FG, 1-4 4PT), 1 rebound and 1 block in a 117-114 loss to the Houston Rockets Jan. 28 … Recorded 9 points (2-5 FG, 2-4 3PT), 1 rebound, 1 block and 1 steal in a 111-105 loss to the Dallas Mavericks Jan. 30.
Season: Missed over a month, from early December to mid-January, with a shoulder injury, but returned Jan. 11 … The former Michigan forward has appeared in 30 games with nine starts for the 13-39 Pistons, who stand 15th in the East, averaging 5.8 points and 2.4 rebounds in 21 minutes … Shooting 39.9 percent from the field and 36.4 percent on three-pointers.
Jordan Poole (2017-19), G, Golden State Warriors
Recent games: Posted 21 points (8-14 FG, 2-6 3PT), 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 1 steal in a 122-120 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies Jan. 25 … Registered 9 points (4-8 FG, 1-3 3PT), 2 rebounds and 2 assists in a 129-117 win over the Toronto Raptors Jan. 27 … Tallied 15 points (4-12 FG, 2-6 3PT), 4 assists and 2 steals in a 128-120 triumph over the Oklahoma City Thunder Jan. 30.
Season: The former Michigan guard has started 28 of 50 games for the 26-24 Warriors, who are fifth in the Western Conference … Averaging career bests in points (20.8) and assists (4.3) per game, chipping in 2.7 rebounds per night … Shooting 43.7 percent overall and 32.2 percent from three … His three-point field goal percentage is down from 26.4 a year ago and is his worst mark since his rookie season in 2019-20.
Duncan Robinson (2014-18), F, Miami Heat
Season: Hasn’t played since Jan. 2 due to a right second finger injury that required surgery after a second opinion — he was playing through it for weeks … The fifth-year veteran does not have a timetable for a return … Appeared in 28 games off the bench for the 28-23 Heat, averaging 6.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per outing, while shooting 36.8 percent overall and 33.1 percent on three-pointers.
Franz Wagner (2019-21), F, Orlando Magic
Recent games: Tallied 13 points (5-11 FG, 1-3 3PT), 7 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals in a 126-120 win over the Indiana Pacers Jan. 25 … Posted 19 points (6-10 FG, 3-4 3PT), 6 rebounds and 2 assists in a 110-105 setback to the Miami Heat Jan. 27 … Registered 7 points (3-8 FG, 0-2 3PT), 4 assists and 2 rebounds in a 128-109 loss to the Chicago Bulls Jan. 28 … Posted 19 points (7-16 FG, 2-4 3PT, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in a 119-109 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Jan. 30.
Season: The former Michigan wing has started all 50 games in which he’s appeared for the 20-31 Magic, missing one due to a suspension … Averaging 19.9 points (second on team), 4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from deep.
Moritz Wagner (2015-18), F/C, Orlando Magic
Recent games: Posted 3 points (1-2 FG, 1-1 3PT), 1 rebound and 1 assist in a 126-120 win over the Indiana Pacers Jan. 25 … Recorded 9 points (3-6 FG, 0-2 3PT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in a 110-105 setback to the Miami Heat Jan. 27 … Exploded for 27 points (8-11 FG, 3-4 3PT, 8-9 FT), 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block in a 128-109 loss to the Chicago Bulls Jan. 28 … Again posted 20-plus points with 22 (6-11 FG, 0-4 3PT, 10-10 FT), adding 6 rebounds and 1 block in a 119-109 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Jan. 30.
Season: The former Michigan big man has started 14 of 40 games for the 20-31 Magic, averaging career bests in points (11.5), rebounds (5.3, assists (1.8) and minutes (21.7) per game, while shooting 50 percent from the field and 32 percent on threes.
Michigan players in the NBA G League
· Eli Brooks, Fort Wayne Mad Ants
· Trey Burke, Stockton Kings
· Chaundee Brown Jr., Austin Spurs
· Moussa Diabate, Los Angeles Clippers/Ontario Clippers (Two-Way Contract)
· Charles Matthews, Windy City Bulls
· Zavier Simpson, Lakeland Magic
· D.J. Wilson, Oklahoma City Blue
