Michigan has a number of players in the NBA. Here's how they've fared in the first few weeks of the season.
Trey Burke, PG, Washington Wizards: Burke, a backup in Washington after spending his first three years in Utah, is averaging 2.5 points per game for the 1-5 Wizards. He scored a season-high eight points in the opener, going 4-for-7 in 18 minutes in a loss at Atlanta. He's averaging 11.5 minutes per game.
Jamal Crawford, SG/PG, Los Angeles Clippers: Now in his 17th season, Crawford still has plenty of gas left in the tank. He's averaging 10.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 24 minutes per game for the 7-1 Clippers ... the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year scored a season-high 16 in a 116-92 win at San Antonio Nov. 5 and also has games of 15 and 14 points.
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Atlanta Hawks: Hardaway is showing signs of a potential breakout season in his fourth year. In 51 games played last year, Hardaway Jr. averaged 6.4 points on 43 percent shooting and 33.8 percent from long range; he's averaging 12 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game through
Hardaway scored 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, including back-to-back triples that helped Atlanta pull away in a 114-99 win over Washington Oct. 27. He's helped lead the Hawks to a 4-2 start.
"It's definitely a new page, a new start," Hardaway told the AP. "But [last year] will always be the intro to me in Atlanta. That will always be in the back of my head, how they pushed me, how they got me prepared to get to this point in my career."
Hardaway had his best game yet in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers Nov. 2, scoring 26 on 8-of-10 shooting (5-of-7 from long range).
Caris LeVert, SG, Brooklyn Nets: Has yet to play in his rookie season for the 2-4 Nets, still feeling the effects of spring foot surgery.
“Brooklyn couldn’t have gotten a better pick,” former teammate Glenn Robinson III said. “I’ve always compared him to a Jamal Crawford type. He’s skinny, long and he has a good handle. He’s one of my picks to be one of the best rookies this year. I think Brooklyn will really be happy with their pick. It’s scary how good he can be.”
Ten days ago, on Sirius XM, LeVert was asked about his return date: “Probably within the next couple of weeks…We’re right there right now," NetsDaily.com reported.
Glenn Robinson III, SF, Indiana Pacers: Now in his third NBA season, his second with Indiana, Robinson is averaging 3.8 points and 1.5 rebounds per game for the 3-4 Pacers. He scored 11 in 18 minutes during a 118-101 loss at Chicago Oct. 29, his best showing of the year, and notched eight in 13 minutes of a 122-100 loss at Charlotte Nov. 7.
Nik Stauskas, SG, Philadelphia 76ers: Now in his third NBA season, second with the 76ers, Stauskas is averaging 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 points per game for 0-6 Philadelphia. He scored a season-high 13 points in the opener, a 103-97 loss to the Thunder.
In 23 minutes off the bench, Stauskas made five of his six shots.. His 83.3 shooting percentage was a single-game career high.
“He was cocky. He was in attack mode. He was not afraid to put it to the floor and get to the rim. I feel like he’s got a real chance to have a breakout year. We need him to have a breakout year," coach Brett Brown said.
Stauskas is shooting 41.7 percent from the floor, 31.3 from long range.