Exit: Franz Wagner
Sui generis.
As expected, Michigan’s freakish gumbyman, and last year’s only projected lottery pick, announced he will be leaving Michigan for the NBA Draft.
Franz Wagner has made his decision to leave early for the @NBADraft ... Take a minute to read his letter to 〽️ Nation from the @PlayersTribune
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) May 4, 2021
Letter | https://t.co/EWb4MdLgED
Release | https://t.co/56GmKaupiA#GoBlue 〽️#ForCompetitorsOnly pic.twitter.com/Ps45mAMSBU
From Beilein taking the Cavs job when Wagner was in the international check-in line, to that final step-back three against UCLA, this was a Michigan career of incredible odds that every Michigan fan would roll again in a heartbeat. Franz waited until graduation to make the announcement, using the extra time to pen a heartfelt goodbye to the program and fans, in case you needed a reminder how extraordinary this all was:
On the other hand, I had an offer to play college hoops in Ann Arbor. My brother, Moe, of course gave me helpful advice about this option. And I had good conversations with Coach Howard and his staff. But still … college in the States, that was basically a mystery. It meant flying halfway around the world, to live alone, in a whole different culture — the opposite of a comfortable choice. It meant I’d have to take a leap of faith.
And after months of going back and forth in my head about it (and against the advice and expectations of almost everybody at home), that’s what I did. Not because Moe did it — but because I wanted to do it my way. I took a leap of faith.
Perhaps because of how it started, Michigan put its faith in Wagner, from working out some early shooting issues as a freshman, to putting the ball in his hands when they needed one bucket to advance to the Final Four. Perhaps the best help defender in college last year, we’ll never forgive the Big Ten giving Wagner’s Defensive Player of the Year award to a less deserving Terp.
Odds are good that Wagner will find an NBA home fairly early in the draft, and carve out a long career that inspires leagues of basketball nerd studies. Michigan was well-prepared for this, at least in the aggregate, with 5-star shooter Caleb Houstan ready to step in at the wing, and 5-star forward Moussa Diabate arriving to make up the difference defensively. It would be fortunate indeed if we ever see Wagner’s like again.
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Good luck Franz! Enjoyed watching you play, and hope you have smooth sailing in the NBA.
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I clicked anyway, "because I wanted to do it my way. I took a leap of faith."
All the best Franz!
What a letter.
Thank you Franz!
Always a Wolverine
Not unexpected, and I wish him luck. Hopefully he'll be picked up by a good team and he can flourish.
Just a wonderful good-bye from a special kid who made Michigan better by his presence and perseverance on the court. A warm thank you to the Wagner family for their personal contribution to the Michigan experience and basketball program.
While I'm excited about the future of Michigan Basketball, I'll miss Franz tremendously. The Wagners have two quality kids. If there is any chance of pushing out a couple more... get to it Mutter und Vater Wagner!
I can't even be sad he is leaving because it was so great watching him play the last couple seasons. I hope he lands in a good spot in the NBA and has an amazing career.
Damn, am I going to miss Franz...
being a college BB fan is tough, because seeing guys who are really good stay the full 4 years is increasingly rare - like Livers for example.
Some guys are late bloomers and others aren't necessarily clear NBA prospects, like X, Teske, MARR and Eli, stay long enough to get to know them a little...
I am glad to have seen Franz in a Michigan uniform though, and glad that he is leaving with some good memories (B4A winners, B1G championship, Elite 8) though.
Will be cheering hard for him in the NBA!
Good Luck Franz!
Over too soon, but “the light that burns twice as bright burns half as long.” And Franz has burned very bright indeed.
Happy for him...a bit sad for us.
He penned a thoughtful farewell.
Damn, post got me emotional. Go kick ass in the NBA Franz. So much damn fun to watch.
What a great letter. Class act.
Also, I didn’t know that he had such a great sense of humor.
Once again we feel that sense of loss as one of our players moves on with their lives. This must be the fan version of empty nest syndrome.
What a wonderful goodbye letter from a really classy young man. He also has a sense of humor:
"(Plus, I mean, if Moe can play in the league — obviously they’ll take anyone.)"
It was fun watching you at Michigan, Franz! Thank you for the two years and the very best of luck to you in the NBA and life.
Epic letter. Really classy. Says a lot about Coach Howard too.
Good luck Franz and thanks for some good memories !
That's as classy as it gets. All the best Franz.
Good luck Franz - you’re an excellent M ambassador and your legacy here is secure.
As to the team, it’s basically plug and play with who we have coming up. Enjoy it, gents, we’re in the glory days of M basketball. This won’t be the case forever...
I was rueing the day this post would arrive, somehow hoping he'd stay another year. Interesting that he mentioned everyone at home was encouraging him to stay in Germany..... I wonder if that included his parents ???? I would hope not, after they saw what Moe received...
Class act. Fare thee well, Franz.
This young man has a bright future ahead of him.
Good luck, Franz and Go Blue ?
Great letter from a classy kid....what an awesome representative of the University of Michigan!
We'll miss you brother.
Bummer, but certainly expected! Best of luck in the league, Franz -- you've earned your shot!
The future is still bright!!
Man, I think I'm a pretty jaded person, but I teared up a bit reading that letter.
Good luck and Godspeed, Franz.
Nice farewell letter from Franz. I, too, love Michigan! We were blessed to have him, and Moe. The Wagners carried the torch from the Glasgows for awesome brothers at Michigan, next up - the Howards
the Wagners are Michigan hoop legends.
The Wagners must be really proud of both their sons to be the men that they have become. They are both thoughtful and humorous and ready to take on the next adventure. Good luck in the NBA!
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