If you want to look at one of the Big Ten’s more historic programs, look no further than the players the University of Michigan has produced throughout its history. They have had plenty of individual stars throughout their time, but they have also had historic groups. When you think of the Michigan Wolverines, the ‘Fab Five’ easily comes to mind. Despite the sketchiness of the 1990s era for the Wolverines and the fallout of the Steve Fisher era, Michigan has always found a way to put itself back into the picture, one way or another. That’s exactly why the players that make up this All-Time Michigan Wolverines roster. They have all equally earned their place. So let’s take a closer look.
All-Time Michigan Wolverines Basketball Roster
Point Guards
This All-Time Michigan Wolverines roster has to start at the point guard spot, and there are plenty of worthy candidates to be the primary ball handlers. Look no further than the starting point guard who helped Michigan build itself into a National Champion right after his departure. Gary Grant (1984-1988) helped set a precedent in Ann Arbor. By the time he left Ann Arbor, he was by far a very memorable player. A two-time All-Big Ten selection. Gary ended his senior season in 1987-88 as the Big Ten’s best player. Grant remains fourth overall in Michigan basketball all-time scoring. Plus, he is Michigan’s all-time leader in assists. He won back-to-back Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards during his junior and senior seasons. He earned his spot as a point guard for this All-time Michigan Wolverines roster.
Jump ahead a few decades, and this next player more than defined his era in college basketball. Trey Burke could easily make the case that he was the best player to ever wear the Maize and Blue. He’s the best player John Beilien ever had under his tutelage, and the Wolverines prospered. After busting onto the scene as a freshman starting 32 of 34 games, Burke showed that he could be elite during the 2012-13 season. The Big Ten freshman of the year quickly showed why he was the best player in college basketball during the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Burke claimed not only Big Ten Player of the Year honors that season.
He took home both the Wooden Award and Naismith Award. His clutchness in some of the biggest games the Wolverines were involved in was simply undeniable. His shot to force overtime against Kansas in the Sweet 16 is still one of the clutch moments in Michigan basketball memory. He finished with 1,231 points and 416 assists in two seasons. That’s quite a great run for the Ohio native. His No. 3 belongs in the rafters at Crisler Arena, and he’s hinted at the possibility of that coming true sometime soon .
Shooting Guards
The first representative from the Fab Five, Detroit’s Jalen Rose , was born to be a Wolverine. The Fab Five came in a started breaking down doors. That group became the first all-freshman starting five. Plus, their style of how they wore their uniforms with the long shorts and black socks redefined the game.
Rose was a very important piece as the Wolverines advanced to back-to-back National Championship Games. Regardless of the scandal that eventually took away many team accomplishments and victories, Jalen was still a very important figure for the Wolverines. He remains a highly respected player and basketball mind. In his three seasons, he never averaged less than 15 points per game. He finished his Michigan career with 1,788 points, 477 rebounds, and a very respectable 401 assists.
During the 2010’s Michigan started becoming a place for the sons of basketball legends to find a home and thrive. That was the same for Tim Hardaway Jr . His dad famously starred at UTEP and then in the NBA. Hardaway was ready to deliver when he arrived at Michigan. He was a day-one starter during his three seasons. Hardaway (2010-2013) thrived well alongside Burke as the Wolverines captured a Big Ten Regular Season Championship, along with three NCAA Tournament berths during his time. Hardaway earned All-Big Ten honors twice.
After making a little noise as a freshman on the 2013 National Runner-up team, Nik Stauskas was ready to be the next big star for Michigan in 2014. Boy, did he, as he turned into the Big Ten’s best player during the 2013-14 season. From leading the Wolverines to a season sweep of rival Michigan State, to winning an outright Big Ten Title. For his efforts that season, Stauskas was named a consensus All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year. His patented blowing of kisses to opposing fans won’t soon be forgotten. Nik more than earned his spot on this Michigan Wolverines roster.
Small Forwards
Cazzie Russell is the original Michigan basketball superstar. Russell laced them up for the Wolverines from 1963-1966. Russell was key alongside center Bill Buntin as Michigan won three straight Big Ten Championships from 64-66. Not to mention the Wolverines reached the Final Four in both 1964 and 1965. The 1965 tournament saw Michigan fall short in the title game against UCLA. A game that saw Russell showcase his scoring prowess with 28 points. A theme for Cazzie, as he still holds the single-season scoring average record in Michigan basketball history at 30.8 points per game. Russell has long been credited with being the player who helped build the Crisler Center, where the Wolverines call home. A three-time All-American, Cazzie helped put Michigan basketball on the map.
No relation, but the same last name, Campy Russell , gave two great seasons (1972-1974) to the Wolverines during the 1970s. His output wasn’t on the same level as Cazzie’s, but Campy became a memorable player in Michigan Wolverine history. During his junior season, Russell helped lead the Wolverines to a Big Ten Championship after averaging 23.7 points per game. For his work, he was rewarded with All-Big Ten honors and was a consensus 2nd-Team All-American.
All-time leading scorer in Michigan history, Glen Rice was arguably the reason the upstart Wolverines were able to capture the National Championship in 1989. He proved he was the best player not only in the Big Ten, but in the country during the 1988-89 season. He finished the season with 949 points. The next best in the league had 269 points less than Rice. What Glen was able to do during his Michigan career was special. His shooting ability was special, and he carried it on to a great professional career as well.
Power Forwards
If you’re looking for a strong and tough power forward, look no further than Rudy Tomjanovich (1967-1970). Rudy came to Michigan at just the right time, as they were trying to get back on top of the Big Ten. Sure, they never did while Tomjanovich was in Ann Arbor, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t important overall. The eventual 2nd overall pick in 1970 showcased a natural scoring ability along with outstanding rebounding. He finished his Michigan career with an average of 25.1 points and 14.4 rebounds. He led the Big Ten in both points and rebounds during his senior season in 1969-70. His 1,039 career rebounds are still first all-time in Michigan history, and he also sits 13th in Big Ten history, just ahead of Buntin’s (1962-1965) mark.
Is there a more talked-about player in Michigan basketball history than Chris Webber ? Sure, he got involved in some shady stuff during his college career, which later had the university deep in controversy, but Webber is still a Michigan legend. His No. 4 jersey is still one of the biggest sellers in Michigan basketball history. Webber was able to thrive alongside his fellow Fab Five members under Steve Fisher.
Fisher wasn’t afraid to let Chris have the ball from the minute he arrived in Ann Arbor. He didn’t quite have the game to be National Player of the Year during his two seasons at Michigan, but Chris finished his Wolverine career as a Consensus All-American and was the best player in the Big Ten. Not to mention, he led the conference in rebounding in both of his seasons. The 1993 1st overall pick was key in helping Michigan reach back-to-back National Championship Games.
Centers
Sure, Juwan Howard definitely can fall back on his playing career. He was the true definition of a center during his time at Michigan. Howard the player would be a better choice than Howard the coach by a long shot. He was a double-digit scorer in each of his three seasons. Not to mention, he wasn’t afraid to get down and dirty with the best bigs in the Big Ten. Unlike his counterparts from the Fab Five and eventual scandal, Howard didn’t face the same punishment as his fellow frontcourt player, Webber. Outside of Purdue’s Glenn Robinson, Howard helped define post-play in the Big Ten during the 1993-94 season. The No. 25 at Michigan will forever be remembered as the number Juwan Howard made famous. His part in the historic, yet controversial Fab Five, certainly earned Howard a spot on this Michigan Wolverines roster.
Coach Beilein went global in his 2015 recruiting class, and Michigan was rewarded. Alba Berlin’s Moritz Wagner chose to take the college route instead of staying at the pro level in Europe, and the rest was history. After using his first two seasons to get acclimated to the collegiate game. Moe exploded as a junior.
While playing in three NCAA Tournaments, along the way. Wagner’s effort in the Big Ten tournament match-up with Michigan State also helped him garner Big Ten Tourney MOP in 2018, as Michigan won the crown. That campaign also saw Wagner alongside the likes of Jordan Poole and others reach the National Championship Game. Wagner and company fell short against Villanova. Moe will certainly go down as a very memorable player in Michigan basketball history.
Honorable Mentions
I would be remiss not to mention a couple of honorable mentions at the point guard spot. Derrick Walton Jr (2013-2017) and Zavier Simpson (2016-2020) both carried the banner at the point guard spot for Michigan, each leading the Wolverines to Big Ten Tournament Championship Glory, along with a strong stretch of Sweet 16 or better NCAA Tournament runs.
Duncan Robinson has one heck of a story. From playing Division III basketball to becoming a key cog for the Michigan Wolverines (2015-2018). The 2017-18 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year certainly deserves an honorable mention nod on this roster.
Franz Wagner has to get some love here. His all-around ability was evident at Michigan. His two seasons proved to be enough to turn Wagner into a Top 10 NBA Draft Pick, where he continues to thrive with the Orlando Magic .
Check Out Other All-Time Big Ten Teams
© Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The post All-Time Michigan Wolverines Basketball Roster appeared first on Last Word On Basketball .