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Wolverines in the NBA: Zavier Simpson shining in G League, Franz Wagner filling it up

clayton-sayfieby: Clayton Sayfie03/27/23CSayf23
Franz Wagner
(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Sometimes, NBA G League players fly under the radar, but former Michigan Wolverines basketball basketball point guard Zavier Simpson is shining with the Lakeland Magic this season.

Simpson ranks second in the G League with a 47.4 three-point field goal percentage (45-of-95), after shooting just 31.4 percent from deep during his Michigan career, including 36 percent in his final season of 2019-20. He’s also third in the league with 9 assists per tilt, and adds 16.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest.

The former Michigan guard put his three-point shooting to good use as the clock wound down in a March 18 game against the Ontario Raptors. Down two points, Simpson received the ball with 4 seconds left, drove to the top of the key, pulled up and drilled a triple with 0.3 seconds remaining, winning his team the game.

Simpson’s former teammate, Franz Wagner, continues to have an excellent second professional season with the organization’s NBA team, the Orlando Magic.

He’s scored at least 16 points in each of his last five games, adding 5.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists per night during that stretch, battling an ankle injury for a portion of it. Wagner was a nominee for the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week award, but it was handed to Boston’s Jaylen Brown.

Here’s a roundup of how every former Michigan player in the NBA is playing.

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Moussa Diabate (played at Michigan from 2021-22), F, Los Angeles Clippers (two-way contract)

Played in 19 games with one start for the 39-36 Clippers, who stand fifth in the Western Conference … Averages 2.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest … The former Michigan forward is on a two-way contract and appeared in 18 games with the G League’s Ontario Clippers, putting up 15.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per outing.

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

Appeared in 66 games with 40 starts for the 36-39 Mavericks, who are 11th in the West … Registering 14 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per night, while shooting 39 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three-point range … Three of his 16 20-plus point outings have come in March.

Caleb Houstan, (2021-22), G, Orlando Magic

The former Michigan wing is averaging 3.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, and connecting on 37.6 percent of his shots from the field and 34.9 percent of his looks from long range in 45 clashes with two starts … The Magic are 32-43 and 13th in the Eastern Conference.

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

Opened 28 of his 70 games for the fourth-place Cavaliers, who have a 48-28 record … Posting 12 points, 3.9 assists and 2.8 rebounds per tilt, while shooting 42.56 percent from the field and a career-best 38 percent from beyond the arc … Enjoying his best full month of the season, with 13.9 points per game (he put up 14.7 points per contest in October, but that month only featured six games). 

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

The second-year pro has started 17 of 47 outings for the 16-58 Pistons, who are last in the East and have secured a bottom-three overall NBA standing … The former Michigan wing is notching 6.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game … Connecting on 41 percent of his field goal attempts and 35 percent of his tries from deep.

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

Averaging career bests in points (20.4) and assists (4.6) per game in 76 appearances with 42 starts for the 39-37 Warriors, who sit sixth in the West … Shooting 42.8 percent overall and 33.3 percent from three-point range.

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

Played in eight outings since returning from a finger injury that required surgery and has seen time in 26 contests this season, averaging 16.1 minutes per night … The former Michigan sharpshooter is putting up 6.2 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists, while shooting 36.5 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from three-point range. His three-point shooting percentage is the worst since his rookie season in 2018-19 … The Heat are 40-35 and seventh in the East.

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

The two-time Rising Stars Challenge participant is second on the Magic at 18.7 points per game, adding 4.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists (fourth on team) … Started in all 74 games in which he’s appeared and is shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 36 percent from range.

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

Seen action in 52 games with 17 starts, averaging a career-high 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per clash … The former Michigan forward’s 64.4 two-point field goal percentage is the second-highest on the team among those with 2 or more attempts per game, and he’s shooting 30.8 percent from behind the arc … Scored in double figures in eight of his last 10 games.

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)

• Zak Irvin, Grand Rapids Gold

• Charles Matthews, Windy City Bulls

• Zavier Simpson, Lakeland Magic

• D.J. Wilson, Oklahoma City Blue