Who are the most famous NBA players from Michigan University?
Despite the Michigan Wolverines missing the March Madness tournament for the second straight year, many talents emerged from their basketball team program.
On March 15, 2024, Michigan announced they were parting ways with Howard after five years of coaching. After consecutive years without qualifying for the Championship tournament, we thought we might look at the NBA talent that has worn the maize and blue.
The best NBA players to come from Michigan University
Michigan University has nine players in the NBA, most of whom play a significant role on their teams.
Current players include veterans Mavericks’ Tim Hardaway Jr., Wizards’ Jordan Poole and Isaiah Livers, Clippers’ Moussa Diabate, Orlando’s Caleb Houstan, Franz Wagner, and Moritz Wagner, Cleveland’s Caris Levert, and Miami’s Duncan Robinson. And while they are solid players, the current best came through different colleges. That is not to say that today’s crop won’t be tomorrow’s NBA legends.
For the best Wolverines ever to grace the NBA, you must return to the program’s heyday in the ‘70s and ‘80s. The undisputed king of the NBA Wolverines is Chris Webber.
The most prominent and successful member of the Fab Five recruiting class of 1991, Webber is primarily remembered by college basketball fans for calling a timeout the Wolverines didn’t have in the final seconds of the 1993 NCAA title game.
Selected by the Orlando Magic with the top pick of the 1993 NBA Draft, he was immediately shipped off to the Golden State Warriors. The NBA Rookie of the Year in 1994, he didn’t stay there long either, opting out of his contract and forcing his trade to the Washington Bullets.
After a stellar career with the Bullets, Kings, 76ers, and Pistons, he returned to the Warriors to finish his career, retiring as a five-time All-Star, the league’s rebounding champion in 1999, and a one-time All-NBA First Team selection.
Part of that same generation, Glen Rice spent 15 years in the NBA, starting fast after being drafted by Miami in 1989. Rice became one of the premiere three-point shooters in the NBA, sinking over 130 from behind the arc in six consecutive seasons in Miami and later with the Charlotte Hornets.
After tenures with the Lakers, the Knicks, and the Rockets, Rice retired with over 18,000 points, an NBA All-Star Game MVP, and an NBA Championship ring.
From Cazzie Russell, Rudy Tomjanovich, and Jalen Rose, if you are looking for great Wolverine talent in the NBA, there are some legendary names to look out for. They are not that difficult to spot. Who knows? In years to come, we may discuss some current student-athletes with the same reverence.