Head Michigan basketball coach, Juwan Howard, is known for his well-documented part in the legendary Fab Five and his illustrious 19-year NBA career, which included an all-star appearance and 2 rings. But Juwan’s legacy and impact on the game of basketball may be just getting started. In 2002, Howard married Jenine Wardally. The couple would later have 2 children together, Jace and Jett.
Juwan’s oldest son, Jace, committed to play basketball for Michigan in 2020 and is beginning his Junior season for the Wolverines. Coming off the bench, Jace is known for his large frame, energetic hustle, and ability to cause disruptions on defense. Jace’s younger brother, Jett Howard, was always thought to be the more talented of the two, but almost nobody predicted the magnitude of his immediate impact.
Michigan fans got their first real look at Jett Howard during an exhibition game in early November against Ferris State. Jett immediately stole the show, draining 3’s and handling the ball with ease. He finished the game with a jaw-dropping 30 points. For a guy that was just playing high school ball last season, he carried a swag about him that looked adequate to compete in March. But that was Ferris State. How would he fair against stiffer competition?
When Purdue Fort Wayne traveled to Ann Arbor for their first regular season game, Jett Howard once again showed up ready to play. He hit a staggering 5 out of 10 three-pointers on his way to a 21-point, 5-assist performance. These are numbers that any senior would kill for, and here was a true Freshman putting them up in his first game. While Michigan recently lost games against highly-ranked Virginia and Kentucky, Jett looked comfortable and composed. It has quickly become apparent that this stage will not be too large for Jett.
Now 8 games into the season, the Wolverines have struggled to find their rhythm, but Jett Howard continues to be one of the bright spots on the roster. He drives with ease, smoothly makes his jump shots, and uses his athleticism to impose his presence on defense. He’s averaging 15.3 points per game and is shooting a staggering 42.6% from behind the arch. To put that in perspective, Steph Curry has shot 42.8% from 3 during his NBA career.
With Michigan’s starting point guard, Jaelin Lllewellyn out for the season with a torn ACL, Michigan will be looking for playmakers in the backcourt to step up. All eyes will be on Jett Howard, and as his name suggests, Jett is ready for takeoff.
