10 Greatest Players in Michigan Basketball History
Let’s start off by giving Naz Hillmon a shoutout. She is a legend and her jersey belongs in the rafters of Crisler Arena, but this list is for Michigan’s Men’s basketball program. Michigan basketball has had its fair share of ups and downs through the years. The Wolverines have made deep runs in the tournament and teetered on the brink of being considered a perennial blue blood, but they also endured the gloom of a decade-long tourney drought. Let’s take a look at the young men that have defined the storied program through it all. Here are the greatest players in the history of Michigan Basketball.
10. Rumeal Robinson
Rumeal Robinson is on a very short list of Wolverines who can claim to be an All-American and a National Champion. He was instrumental in Michigan’s 1989 tournament run, with 21 points and 11 assists in the title game. He is also Michigan’s all-time leader in assists per game. Robinson was drafted 10th overall in the 1990 NBA Draft.
9. Gary Grant
While he was drafted a season prior, Gary Grant helped lay the foundation for the 1989 National Championship team. He is Michigan’s all-time leader in total assists and steals and is 4th in total points. The well-rounded point guard led the Big 10 in steals twice, achieving Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year honors both seasons. He also boasts a Big 10 Player of the Year award, along with being chosen as a consensus All American.
8. Nik Stauskas
Nik Stauskas started his career at Michigan as a 3-point specialist but quickly developed into a versatile threat on both sides of the ball. He helped lead Michigan to two deep March Madness runs, a national title appearance in 2013, and an Elite Eight appearance in 2014. In 2014 he was the Big 10 player of the year and a consensus All-American, and still holds 2 of the top 10 three-point shooting seasons in Michigan history.
7. Juwan Howard
Juwan Howard was a legend in Ann Arbor long before he accepted the position as Michigan’s head basketball coach. He was the first member of the Fab Five to commit to Michigan and in many ways helped convince the other big-name stars to join him at Michigan. As a player he competed for 3 seasons, appearing in 2 national title games and an Elite Eight. His impressive junior season stat line included 20.8 ppg and 8.9 RPG. He was the 5th overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft and would go on to play 20 seasons in the NBA.
6. Jalen Rose
Jalen Rose is currently a well-known ESPN anchor and entertainer, but it was his role as a Fab Five floor general that catapulted him to national stardom. He led Michigan to 2 straight national title appearances as the point guard of the legendary squad. His postseason play led him to be selected to the NCAA All-Tourney team while boasting regular season All-Big 10 and consensus All-American honors.
