Michigan Basketball: Brazdeikis Standing Out On The World Stage
Michigan signee Ignas “Iggy” Brazdeikis is in Portland, Ore. this week for the Nike Hoops Summit … and he’s tearing it up.
Brazdeikis had an outstanding practice Wednesday for the World team, Rivals.com’s Eric Bossi reported, and one scout predicted he’d “shoot 60 times a game in this event.”
In other words, he’s not shy, and he shouldn’t be. He’s a gifted scorer who expects to wear Moritz Wagner’s number next year (if Wagner leaves for the NBA, as expected), but he tries to emulate someone else on the court.
"I definitely model my game after Gordon Hayward," he said of the former Butler standout and Michigan recruit, now with the Boston Celtics.. "I feel like me and him are similar players in terms of being able to attack, shoot and make plays."
Brazdeikis told USA Today playing in the NBA has been a dream of his since he was six years old, and players like former U-M standout Nik Stauskas believe it’s only a matter of time. Brazdeikis averaged 32 points per game at Orangeville Prep this year, won MVPs at too many tournaments to mention and is an elite scorer.
“He looked like the World team's best shooter,” Bossi reported from the event. “The Canadian is a strong and skilled offensive player who can stretch defenses and his 6-foot-7, 225-pound frame allows him to be a good post scorer as well. He looks like he should be ready to step right in and play important minutes for the Wolverines.”
Thirteen players taken in last year's NBA Draft participated in the Nike Hoop Summit, and Brazdeikis figures to be among them in the next few years.
He has plenty to accomplish at Michigan before he goes, he told OregonLIve.com.
"I feel like coach [John] Beilein deserves a national championship, being a runner-up twice, as well as the Michigan program and Michigan fans. They definitely deserve a ring," he said.
He watched the tournament run closely, even jumping off the couch and running around his house when freshman Jordan Poole hit the game winning shot in the round of 32 to beat Houston.
"Coach Beilein's just such a trustworthy guy," Brazdeikis said. "I was really proud, every single game, knowing I'm going to be putting on that uniform next year.” He was also confident enough to believe he could have helped the Wolverines beat Villanova in the title game, a 79-62 loss.
“I was literally sitting on the couch, trying to do moves,” he laughed. “It’s like, ‘Put me in, coach!’ I felt like they were missing me. I felt like I could have helped.
“But it was amazing to watch them go that far, seeing them play so unselfishly.”
He’ll be part of it starting this June. Tonight, though, you can catch him in action on ESPN2 at 10:00 playing for Team Canada.
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