With the Detroit Pistons signing Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert this month, we took a look back at what NBA teams have historically had the most former Michigan Wolverines:
For those who are both Michigan basketball fans and Detroit Pistons fans, there has been a nice reunion lately with Tim Hardaway Jr. playing vital role on the 2024-25 Pistons, and Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson set to suit up for Detroit in 2025-26. The same can be said of the Orlando Magic, who have loaded up on former Wolverines in recent years in the form of the Wagner brothers, Jett Howard and Caleb Houstan.
This begs the question — which NBA franchises historically have had the most former Michigan players on their roster? We gathered all our data from Real GM to find the five NBA franchises with the most Wolverines to ever make the roster.
Honorable Mentions: Los Angeles Clippers (10), Golden State Warriors (10), Atlanta Hawks (9)
The Hawks have had quite a few Wolverines recently, such as LeVert and Kobe Bufkin. In recent years, the Warriors have had former Wolverines Jordan Poole and Glenn Robinson III, and also had Chris Webber and Cazzie Russell back in the day. Jamal Crawford is the most notable player for the Clippers, while Glen Rice, Mo Taylor and Loy Vaught are some other larger names to have attended Michigan.
5. New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets (11): Caris LeVert, Darius Morris
The Nets had quite a few former Wolverines back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, though not many lately with LeVert and Morris being the exception. Danny Wolf will look to resurrect the Brooklyn franchise this coming season. Historically, many former Michiganders played for the franchise but very few were stars.
2-T. Philadelphia 76ers (12): Nik Stauskas, Chris Webber
In a three-way tie for second, the Philadelphia 76ers had 12 former Wolverines on their roster all-time. While Stauskas had relatively disappointing NBA career, the best years of his career were spent in Philly. As for Webber, while he’s more known as a Sacramento King, he did spend roughly two years with the 76ers. His best year was in 2005-06, when he nearly averaged a double-double with 20.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.
Other notable names for the 76ers include Trey Burke, Rickey Green and Tim McCormick.
2-T. New York Knicks (12): Cazzie Russell, Campy Russell, Jamal Crawford
The Knicks have a long history of employing Wolverines, particularly in the ‘60s and ‘70s. While Campy Russell was more known as a Cleveland Cavalier, he spent two very successful seasons in New York from 1980-82. Cazzie Russell (no relation) spent the first five years of his career as a Knick from 1966-1971 before garnering MVP votes as a Warrior in ‘72. Crawford makes another appearance on our list, as he spent nearly four seasons in New York during the prime of his career.
Other notable former Wolverines to play for New York include Glen Rice, Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke and Gary Grant.
2-T. Los Angeles Lakers (12): Glen Rice, Cazzie Russell, Mike McGee
Despite only spending two seasons as a Laker, Rice’s tenure was memorable from 1998-2000 coming off back-to-back All-Star appearances as a Hornet. Mike McGee spent the first five years of his career in Los Angeles from 1981-86, where he averaged 8.2 points per game in his tenure.
Several Wolverines have suited up for the Lakers but only for brief periods of time, such as Moritz Wagner, Rumeal Robinson and Manny Harris.
1. Detroit Pistons (15): Tim Hardaway Jr., Phil Hubbard, Terry Mills
The last two years really made the difference for the Pistons here, as Hardaway Jr., LeVert and Robinson bumped Detroit up from 12 to 15. Further back in the past, Phil Hubbard spent the first two years of his career in Detroit, while Terry Mills played more years for the Pistons than anyone else.
The remaining 10 names to have suited up for Detroit include Chris Webber, Loy Vaught, Rickey Green, Bill Buntin, George Lee, Isaiah Livers, Glenn Robinson III, Alan Hardy, Derrick Walton Jr. and Wayman Britt.