Where Are They Now? - Basketball

Submitted by AC1997 on

One of the most common blog posts during the football season is to document the performance of former Michigan players in the NFL.  You see this on Touch The Banner, Maize n Brew, and it is has been a prominent component in The Wolverine publication for years.  I thought I’d try to do the same for basketball now that we actually have a couple of recent players featured in the league.  

Now that Juwan Howard has moved on to coaching, there are only three former Michigan players in the NBA.  Here are their profiles:

  • Trey Burke (Jazz) – As Brian pointed out, he’s been a significant help to the Jazz who were woeful without him.  He’s averaging 29 minutes per game with a slash line of 90/37/34.  The 2-point percentage isn’t great, but when matched with his 4.9 APG he’s having a good start to his rookie year.
  • Tim Hardaway (Knicks) – Hardaway is off to a solid start considering the number of wing players he’s competing with on the Knicks.  He’s averaging 7.9 points and 1.1 rebounds with a slash line of 84/46/41 – pretty impressive outside shooting.
  • Jamal Crawford (Clippers) – He’s been in the league for a long time now and really only played about a dozen games at Michigan, but we can still claim him as ours – right?  His solid career continues with his 16ppg average and percentages of 81/43/36. 

There actually is a fourth former player in the NBA that has often been forgotten as Beilein has built his program into a national power….Epke Udoh.  It would have been interesting to see him stick it out here at Michigan instead of transferring to Baylor. 

  • Epke Udoh (Bucks) – Udoh has primarily been a role player but a solid one.  He averages 26 minutes per game and contributes 4.7 points and 3.9 rebounds on average. 

I’ll even use that Udoh mention as a segway to another feature I’ll steal from.  Over at TTB there is another favorite post of mine where Magnus highlights the performance of former Michigan players or recruits who ended up at other schools for one reason or another.  There have been three recent transfers that still maintain college eligibility. 

  • Evan Smotrycz (Maryland) – He seems to have found a home on the future member of the conference, averaging a solid 12.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.  In a loss to OSU earlier this season he had 15 points and 7 boards.  He’s a solid player that fits Beilein’s offense really well – it is unfortunate that it didn’t work out for him at Michigan. 
  • Carlton Brundidge (Detroit) – Brundidge was always a bit of an enigma since he was not a true point guard but was somewhat stuck in a point guard’s body.  He barely played at Michigan before being kicked off the team.  At Detroit this season he’s averaging 25 minutes a game and contributing 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. 
  • Colton Christian (Florida International?) – He supposedly transferred to FIU, but I can’t find any record of him ever showing up there. 

At this point I’m not going to bother researching all of the former recruits who didn’t sign with Michigan.  If you’re interested in that information, I suggest you browse the recruiting page over at UMHoops as there is a lot of interesting information there.

However, I will take a moment to highlight one recruit I really wish Beilein would have signed – Larry Nance Jr.  He was being recruited by Michigan for the same roster spot that ended up going to Max Beilfeldt.  Recruiting is a funny thing so it is hard to know what happened during the process, but I’ve often thought that he is perhaps the player I most wish had signed with this team.  I like Max and think he’s a great guy to have on the end of your bench, but it sure seems like Nance would have been an ideal fit.  Michigan has lacked a true power-forward for the past few years and that’s the position Nance plays at Wyoming.  Having the ability to use him two years ago when Horford got hurt and only Morgan and Smotrycz existed over 6’6” tall would have been nice.  Having him last year when Robinson was the only viable power forward would have been nice.  He’s currently averaging 13 points and 9 boards as an athletic power forward.  In case you suspect that has a lot to do with playing for Wyoming, I’ll mention his stat line from a game against Ohio (yes, THAT Ohio):  17 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks.  I also have an irrational fondness of signing the sons of former NBA players as it often brings more mature talent and positive media attention.  Building on the legacy program established with Hardaway, Robinson, Horford, and even Dumars seems like a good thing – doesn’t it?  

Finally, I decided to expand this piece into another area.  Last season I stumbled across a post at The Only Colors that discussed the performance of former MSU players who were playing in professional leagues overseas.  (Sorry, can't find the link.)  Since there are a surprising number of them still playing, I’ll wrap this up by using a chart instead of long-winded bullet points.  

Name Years @ UM Current Team (country) PPG FG% (2/3/FT) Previous Countries
Josh Asselin 1998-2001 Assignia (Spain) 11.8 47/41/86 Ukraine, Dominican Republic
LaVell Blanchard 2000-2004 Liga Sudamericana (Ecuador) 18.3 52/29/81 Brazil, Finland, Bosnia, Ukraine
Graham Brown 2003-2006 Le Havre (France) 10.0 49/0/67 Belgium, Portugal
Brent Petway 2004-2007 Olympiacos (Greece) 7.6 72/50/63 France, Greece, Harlem Globetrotters
Dion Harris 2004-2007 Piratas (Columbia) 16.4 42/41/79 Venezuela, Germany, Cyprus, Syria
Courtney Sims 2004-2007 SK Knights (S. Korea) 7.9 62/0/81 Latvia, China, Belgium
Jevohn Shepherd 2006-2009 Omenga (Italy) 21.0 58/35/75 Germany, Holland, Canada
DeShawn Sims 2007-2010 Galil Gilboa (Israel) 12.0 38/27/71 S. Korea, Puerto Rico, Greece
Stu Douglas 2009-2012 Galil Gilboa (Israel) 8.2 62/24/84 Spain

 

There were several other former players I found in the database that have played recently, but none of them seem to be currently playing.  They are Maceo Baston (last played 2010-2011), Louis Bullock (2011-12), Daniel Horton (2011-12), Bernard Robinson (2012-13), Manny Harris (2012-13), and Zack Novak (2012-13).  

You have to wonder how comfortable of a living these players make - clearly some of them have made it work for a long time.  The name that jumps out from that table is Jevohn Shepherd.  He struggled to contribute at Michigan and now averages over 20 points per game in a solid Italian league. 

If you have other information about former players, share in the comments.  I'd also suggest anyone with an interest do this same type of piece for Hockey or Baseball.  

Comments

Tater

December 17th, 2013 at 2:50 AM ^

Nothing to add, but nice work.  I wonder if Petway if he is welcome back with the Globetrotters when he is finished competing.  It seems like it would be a great gig and Petway would make a great Globetrotter.

WhoopinStick

December 18th, 2013 at 11:54 AM ^

Besides Shepherd the other numbers that jumps out to me is Petway's 50% shooting percentage from 3 point range!  (I'm guessing that he's 1 for 2?)  And Stu only shooting in the 20%'s from downtown.

Raoul

December 17th, 2013 at 10:15 AM ^

Manny Harris is playing for the LA D-Fenders in the D-League. He scored 41 in his debut with that club on Saturday. About a week ago he was traded from the Canton Charge to the D-Fenders.

Maceo Baston is managing a cupcake shop in Royal Oak with his wife. His son, Maceo Baston Jr., is a 6-5 senior guard at Detroit Country Day.

Jerret Smith just began his first season as head varsity basketball coach at Romulus, the high school he attended.

In regard to baseball, the Michigan staff does a good job of tracking former players on their Wolverines in Pro Baseball page.

EDIT: Anthony Wright is the head varsity basketball coach at Linden High School.

Blake McLimans began playing a graduate year at Miami (Ohio), starting four games, but he's now left the team:

Miami will go forward without senior center Blake McLimans, a former University of Michigan player. McLimans missed the RedHawks win over IPFW earlier this week due to a family illness and it was later announced that McLimans would not be rejoining the team.

AC1997

December 17th, 2013 at 11:06 AM ^

Thanks for all of the updates!  I didn't go back far enough to grab the guys who are former coaches.  I know Juwan is an assistant on the Heat and obviously Webber and Rose are working as analysts.  I wonder if guys like Rice, Vaught, etc. landed anywhere.  I can't believe I forgot about Blake!  Hopefully everything is okay with his family even if he doesn't resume his career. 

Prince Lover

December 20th, 2013 at 1:17 AM ^

I will always love me some TMills, from his first appearance with that crazy haircut in the Alaskan shootout his redshirt freshman year, to his record setting 3 pointers made streak with the Pistons, he has a LONG way to go working these games on radio. He makes me cringe a lot of the time.

1974

December 17th, 2013 at 7:51 PM ^

How did the draft blow up D-Mo's face? Look at the numbers here:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/morrida01.html

Even after taxes, his first year alone would buy a year of out-of-state tuition at UMich with plenty of $ to spare. I find it hard to believe that an additional year of college would have made a significant difference in his career arc.

snarling wolverine

December 17th, 2013 at 3:52 PM ^

The name that jumps out from that table is Jevohn Shepherd. He struggled to contribute at Michigan and now averages over 20 points per game in a solid Italian league.

Note that just because a guy is playing overseas does not necessarily mean he is playing in the top league in that country.  Jevohn Shepherd's club (Fulgor Omegna) actually competes in the third-tier Italian league, so I don't know how lucrative that is. 

On another note, Josh Asselin is shooting 41% from downtown in Spain?  Wow, he's changed his game.

Back in America, the good seasons for Burke and Hardaway are really crucial for future recruiting.  We can now point to those guys as players Beilein put in the pros.  It'd be nice to see Darius Morris return to the league as well.

AC1997

December 17th, 2013 at 3:55 PM ^

Yeah, thanks for the input.  TOC post I saw last season went into detail with their players on the quality of the league they were playing in.  Amazingly, MSU had fewer active players overseas than Michigan I think so it was a little easier.  I gave up after just finding their information without researching the quality of their league, the performance of their team, etc.  As for Asselin, I always liked him as a player.  I think he's one of the guys from the "dead ball era" of Michigan basketball that would have most benefited from having Beilein as a coach.  The guy who would have been perfect is Blanchard.  He was a 6'7" undersized power-forward who could shoot the lights out and rebound well and would have thrived playing the Novak/GR3 role. 

tybert

December 17th, 2013 at 10:58 PM ^

That guy came to Michigan at the absolute WORST time in our hoops history. Could have gone to MSU and got a ring in 2000. Never complained about his situation. Helped bridge the end of the Loser-bee era and beginning of Amaker.

tybert

December 17th, 2013 at 11:05 PM ^

Goss getting canned wasn't a bad thing at all.

And I think Jamal got screwed by being suspended for living for a few month with someone with NO connection to U of M. 

Hail-Storm

December 18th, 2013 at 9:56 AM ^

was really bad.  I thought the NCAA really screwed a good young kid.  I know Jamal has had success since, but I remember reading that he really wanted to stay in school for another year to get better, and was forced into an earlyNBA career where he had to struggle more than he wanted. 

That decision by the nCAA really shows that they can easily throw out common sense when making decisions. For those that don't know, his best friend was shot right in front of him (at school or near school?) so his mom had him live with a friend of the family to finish his high school in a safer environment. She didn't officially sign over custody, though, and the NCAA deemed it extra benefits, ending his eligibility.

I also agree that Blanchard was a great representative for the team.  I really wanted them to reach the tourny just for him.  I think they came close in his junior year?  

Lucky Socks

December 18th, 2013 at 3:56 PM ^

Manny Harris is playing in the NBDL.  Was just traded to the Los Angeles D-Fenders where he dropped 41 points in his debut.  The fact that a) they traded for him, and b) he's playing well tells me that there could be an NBA call up in his future.

And yes, we can claim Jamal Crawford.  He claims Michigan, and enjoyed Ann Arbor.  Sure, he only played 18 games in one year but the NCAA isa bully and I guess Kentucky probably shouldn't claim anyone, ever.  

buddhafrog

December 18th, 2013 at 5:18 PM ^

Just because I find it cool - I have seen Sims play here in Korea.  I yelled Go Blue! to him, and he looked up and gave the pump fist.

And that's my entire story. 

gwkrlghl

December 18th, 2013 at 6:10 PM ^

I have to imagine he probably appreicated the 'Go Blue' more than you may realize. I work with a guy who's son played D-1 basketball and now plays in Europe and I think it can get pretty lonely out there not really knowing the language and being away from your entire life growing up. I have to imagine it's cool for Sims (and a lot of other players overseas) to get a little taste of home every once in a while

harmon40

December 18th, 2013 at 8:05 PM ^

Two O's. 

While we are discussing former Michigan players now playing internationally...while living in Colombia back in '95 I remember seeing Antoine Joubert mentioned on the news one night during the highlights for the Caimanes (Alligators) de la Costa.  As I recall, they won the Colombian pro league that year...

harmon40

December 18th, 2013 at 8:22 PM ^

according to this article from that year:  http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-455973

The two relevant paragraphs:

"It was precisely Joubert, the best player this season, who was the main protagonist from the images from the story of the Costeñita Cup, with his 51 points in the final, with 9 triples, one of them spectacular, having been shot from nearly half-court with 2 seconds remaining in the third period and which increased the lead to 13 (88-75)...

Joubert also assisted with several alley-oop passes to his countryman Jarvis Matthews, proving an effective complement to Matthews' sensational dunks, which inspired thrills and applause from friend and stranger alike."