15 Best Michigan Basketball Players Who made it to NBA

Texas Tech vs Michigan basketball 2019 photo by MGoBlog – Wikimedia commons

15 Best Michigan Basketball Players Who made it to NBA

Michigan basketball is a community that unites people together, not just a single team. Basketball is a part of life in Michigan, and the Michigan Wolverines embody the state’s adoration of the sport. The team has a long history of success, but what truly distinguishes Michigan basketball is its ability to bring together athletes from all areas of life. Michigan basketball has something for everyone, whether you’re a veteran fan or a newbie to the game. Michigan basketball is a source of joy and connection for individuals across the state, from the exhilaration of a buzzer-beating shot to the companionship of watching with friends and family.
The style of play at Michigan has developed to exceptional and they have shown time and again that they belong to the elite levels of the sport. Regardless of its history in the sport, Michigan continues to be a dominant force in the basketball world and we are hoping that we continue to experience great players every time the Wolverines take the court. Michigan have become some of the most feared teams in the entire basketball association thanks to their dominating plays . Here are the 15 best Michigan basketball players who made it to NBA. 

1. Jalen Rose

Jalen Rose at the University of Michigan photo by Crankoline – Wikimedia commons

Jalen Rose played shooting guard for the Michigan Wolverines from 1991 to 1994. Rose was noted for his scoring abilities at Michigan and was a key member of the “Fab Five” recruiting class that helped boost Michigan basketball to national prominence. Rose averaged 17.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game during his three-year college career and was awarded a second-team All-American in 1994.

He was also a major member of Michigan’s NCAA Final Four teams in 1992 and 1993. Rose was drafted 13th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1994 NBA Draft following his college career. He played in the NBA for twelve years having stints at Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns.

2. Chris Webber

Chris Webber playing in the NBA Asia Challenge 2010 in the Philippines. photo by inboundpass – Wikimedia commons

Chris Webber was a power forward for the Michigan Wolverines basketball team from 1991 to 1993. He was a member of the illustrious “Fab Five” recruiting class that transformed the course of Michigan basketball and catapulted the program to national prominence. Webber was a phenomenal athlete who could score, rebound, and pass at an exceptional level. He earned a first-team All-American in 1993 after averaging 17.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game during his two-year college career.

He had a reputable resume as one of the top players in college basketball at the time, having led the Wolverines to two NCAA Final Four appearances in 1992 and 1993. Webber was selected first overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1993 NBA draft following his college career. He went on to have a illustrious career until he hung his boots in 2008. He had played for Golden State Warriors ,Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons in his 14 year NBA career.

3. Derrick Walton Jr.

Derrick Walton during Michigan vs Illinois Basketball photo by MGoBlog – Wikimedia commons

Derrick Walton Jr. played point guard for the Michigan Wolverines from 2013 to 2017. During his time at Michigan, he developed to become one of the league’s top players, famed for his leadership and ability to manage the offence. Walton averaged 9.5 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game throughout his four-year college career.

He was a critical member of Michigan’s 2017 NCAA National Championship squad and was nominated to the All-Big Ten Third Team his senior year. Walton played professionally in the NBA and overseas after finishing his college career where he morphed to being one of the most sought-after point-guards in the NBA. He currently plays for Sydney Kings where he’s been signed to from 2022.

Find out: 10 Famous Basketball Players who played for UNC.

4. Glenn Robinson III

Glenn Robinson III at Williams Arena photo by TonyTheTiger – Wikimedia commons

Glenn Robinson III played small forward for the Michigan Wolverines from 2011 to 2014. He was noted at Michigan for his athleticism and ability to score in a variety of ways. Robinson averaged 11.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game throughout his three-year college career. He was a vital member of Michigan’s NCAA National Championship squad in 2013 and was chosen to the All-Big Ten Third Team in 2014.

Robinson was chosen 40th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2014 NBA draft following his college career. He has since morphed to a ferocious baller on the court guiding his teams to admirable achievements .

5. Trey Burke

Trey Burke playing for Michigan Wolverines photo by Adam Glanzman – Wikimedia commons

Trey Burke competed as a point guard from 2011 to 2013 as a Michigan Wolverine. He fledged himself as one of the greatest players in college basketball during his time at Michigan, and was famed for his ball-handling, passing, and shooting abilities. Trey averaged 14.8 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game during his two-year college career. In 2013, he earned first-team All-American and National Player of the Year honours.

He was also a critical member of the Michigan team helping them to advance to the NCAA National Championship game in 2013. Trey was chosen ninth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2013 NBA draft later on starring for the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Philadelphia 76ers.

6. Moritz Wagner

Moritz Wagner (basketball) playing for the w:2017–18 Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball team photo by TonyTheTiger – Wikimedia commons

Moritz Wagner played power forward for the Michigan Wolverines from 2015 to 2018. He morphed into one of the top players in the Big Ten Conference during his time at Michigan, and he was noted for his shooting and scoring skills, as well as his versatility on the floor. Wagner averaged 12.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game during his three-year college career and was nominated to the All-Big Ten Third Team in 2018.

He was also a vital member of the 2018 Michigan team helping them advance to the NCAA National Championship game. Wagner was picked 25th overall by the LA Lakers in the 2018 NBA draft following his college career, and he has since played for various clubs, including the Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics and South Bay Lakers. His aggressiveness has led him to amass a large following throughout his time in the NBA.

Check out: 10 Famous Basketball Players who played for Duke.

7. Darius Morris

Darius Morris drives on Cory Stanton photo by Flickr user joshuak8 – Wikimedia commons

American basketball player Darius Aaron Morris played for the Michigan Wolverines for two seasons. He set the Michigan single-season to assist record and led the Big Ten in assists while on the 2010–11 squad (since broken by Trey Burke). He was named to the Big Ten third team during his sophomore year. The Los Angeles Lakers chose Morris with the 41st pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

8. Cazzie Russell

Cazzie Russell (leaping, right) of the Golden State Warriors shoots a layup. photo sourced from Wikimedia commons

From 1963 through 1966, Cazzie Russell competed in college basketball for the University of Michigan. He was widely regarded as one of the best players in the history of Michigan and as one of the best of his age.

Russell was an vital part of the squad that won the conference title in 1964 and alongside his teammates, they led Michigan to two appearances in the NCAA Tournament during his time in college. His effect on the game catapulted the growth of basketball in the state of Michigan. He was renowned for his adaptability and agility to score from both inside and outside the court. He was selected by the New York Knicks as the first overall pick in 1966 NBA draft. Cazzie played professionally for 15 years from 1966 up until 1981 when he hung his boots to become a coach.

9. Tim Hardaway Jr

Tim Hardaway, Jr. drives against Victor Oladipo photo by Adam Glanzman – Wikimedia commons

Timothy Duane Hardaway Jr. played collegiate basketball for the Michigan Wolverines from 2010 to 2013. Duane increased his average to 15.2 points per game in his final season at Michigan, enabling the Wolverines reach the NCAA Tournament. He was a dynamic player who excelled in basketball as seen by how he got drafted into the NBA in 2013. He was picked by the New York Knicks as the 24th pick overall in round 1. He has played for Atlanta Hawks and he is currently signed to the Dallas Mavericks since 2019. At Dallas, he finished 5th in the voting for NBA Sixth Man Award.

10. Caris LeVert

Caris LeVert at Williams Arena photo by TonyTheTiger – Wikimedia commons

Caris Coleman LeVert plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers. In college, he represented the Michigan Wolverines in basketball. With an average of 17.5 points per game, LeVert led Michigan in scoring in his senior season. LeVert upped his scoring average every season during his four-year college career, becoming one of Michigan’s all-time leading scorers.

11. Mitch McGary

Mitch McGary playing for Michigan Wolverines. photo by Adam Glanzman – Wikimedia commons

Mitchell McGary played for the Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball squad in 2013–14. McGary joined the Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball team in 2012–13 and quickly rose to the position of sixth man, top shot blocker, and leading rebounder. He was selected Big Ten Freshman of the Week twice throughout the season.

He was the regular starter during the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament and helped the team advance to the final game while earning distinction for the South All-Regional Team and NCAA All-Tournament Team. He had the most rebounds among freshmen in the Big Ten. In the 2014 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder selected him as the 21st overall pick.

12. Duncan Robinson

Duncan Robinson (basketball) playing for the 2017–18 Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball team at Allstate Arena photo by TonyTheTiger – Wikimedia commons

Duncan McBryde Robinson left Williams College Ephs to join Michigan after leading the Ephs to the 2014 NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship game.
He was the Big Ten Conference’s top three-point shooter from the start of conference play in December 2015 through the beginning of February 2016. He spent his whole three-year Michigan career there, participating for the 2017 and 2018 title victors. He was the 2018 Big Ten Conference Sixth Man of the Year. He also was a member of the 2017–18 team that fell to Villanova squad in the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament’s championship game. Duncan went undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft class but he presently competes for the Miami Heat.

13. Juwan Howard

From left to right, Jimmy King (24), Jalen Rose (5), Chris Webber (4), Ray Jackson (21), and Juwan Howard (25). photo by Skoch3 – Wikimedia commons

Juwan Antonio Howard was an All-American for the University of Michigan men’s basketball team. He was part of Michigan’s Fab Five recruiting class of 1991, that advanced to the NCAA tournament championships in 1992 and 1993. Michigan was able to snatch him early, despite multiple rival offers and then persuade others in his recruiting class to join him at Michigan.

The Fab Five, which comprised Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson, were regular starters for the Michigan Wolverines in 1991-92 and 1992-93. He started his NBA career after the Washington Bullets selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft.

14. Dennis Stewart

Photograph of Dennis Stewart photo by 968 Michiganensian (Univ. of Michigan yearbook) – Wikimedia commons

Stewart played for the Michigan Wolverines from 1966 till 1969. Phoenix Suns drafted Stewart in the 1969 NBA Draft as a 44th overall pick. In addition to playing in France, he also competed in the Continental Basketball Association and the American Basketball Association. Stewart averaged 31 points per game with the Grand Rapids Tackers in 1971–1972 and was a CBA All-Star during that season.

He won 1974’s Best Scorer award for the French League. He competed professionally for 9 years from 1970 to 1979. Stewarts impact on the game can be felt till this day given the level he set while he was still active.

15. George Lee

George Lee is a former basketball player and coach from the United States. Lee, the 6-foot-4 forward from the University of Michigan, got drafted in the fourth round of the 1959 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. He played seven seasons in the NBA, two with the Pistons and five with the San Francisco Warriors. He retired in 1968 after close to eight years and continued to coach the Warriors until 1970 when he retired entirely from basketball after being replaced by Al Attles.

Read more: 60 Best College Basketball Players of all time.