Michigan's Nik Stauskas, Glenn Robinson III leave for NBA
Michigan Wolverines forward Glenn Robinson III (1) and guard Nik Stauskas eye a rebound. / Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY SportsTwo down.
One to go?
Michigan sophomore basketball players Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III announced today at a news conference in Ann Arbor that they will declare for the NBA draft.
Fellow sophomore Mitch McGary still has not made up his mind. All three have until April 27 to file their official paperwork with the NBA.
'For as long as I can remember I have had a goal of playing in the NBA, whether it was on my backyard court or winning the Big Ten title at Crisler Center,' Stauskas said in a released statement. 'Following some heartfelt discussions with my family, coach (John) Beilein and the rest of the coaching staff, I am ready to pursue my goals and begin my NBA career.
'What cannot be understated is how the University of Michigan has helped prepare me for this moment both on and off the court. This great university took a chance on me and gave me the opportunity to achieve my college basketball dreams. I hope, in some small way, I was able provide some lasting moments. As I move forward into this next stage of my life, it cannot be said enough how thankful I am to the Wolverine fans for embracing me. I will always be a Wolverine at heart.'
Added Robinson, in a statement: 'I have thought a lot about the next step in my career over this past year. After talking with my mom, my dad, my grandma, Coach Beilein and the coaching staff, I feel the time is right for me to begin my professional career and declare for the NBA draft. I am confident I have the work ethic, the talent and maturity to pursue this path successfully.
'It has truly been a blessing to have had the opportunity to attend to the University of Michigan and be part of this basketball program. The Wolverine fans and U-M alumni are the best in the world. I have developed many relationships and created so many positive memories that I know will last a lifetime. As excited as I am about my future, I will always be grateful for this wonderful two year experience at the University of Michigan.'
Though both Stauskas and Robinson started for most of their two seasons in Ann Arbor, they took different paths to this point.
Both averaged 11 points per game as freshmen, but Stauskas was far more proficient during the nonconference season and tailed off in the Big Ten campaign and the postseason. Robinson was more consistent.
'In a very short period of time, these two young men have had a very positive impact on the Michigan basketball program,' Beilein said in a statement. 'From day one, Glenn and Nik have had the right attitude and work ethic that has helped us enjoy so much of our recent success.
'They both understand that they will need to continue to work even harder in the years to come to accomplish their goals in the NBA. We will continue to do whatever we can to assist and guide them as they take this next step in their basketball careers. We are excited for Glenn and Nik as they pursue this next stage of their life and begin their professional careers.'
Known primarily as an elite shooter as a freshman, Stauskas remade his game in the off-season and seized the team's primary scoring role. He showed more versatility attacking the basket, passing and with his lift.
That was enough to earn him All-America honors (including first team by the NABC), plus the Big Ten player-of-the-year award. He raised his scoring average six points per game, to 17.5, while still shooting three-pointers at a 44% clip.
Stauskas is widely projected as a borderline NBA lottery pick, in the mid-teens, by most analysts.
Robinson started at the power forward spot - considered a wing position in Michigan's offense - and battled defensively against bigger players, essentially out of position, for two years.
Yet he showed enough athletic ability as a freshman to be considered by many experts a borderline lottery pick in 2013. He was told he would get more chances at small forward, his likely NBA position, as a sophomore, but that never happened. Most of Robinson's statistics dipped as a sophomore, until he played his best basketball in the final 13 games (reaching double figures in scoring 12 times).
Projected as a high second-round pick, much like former U-M teammate Tim Hardaway Jr., Robinson has the ability to impress teams with his athleticism and improved shooting in workouts, potentially raising his stock.
Losing them will be a major blow for U-M, which will be out nearly 42% of its offense. Yet when U-M lost Trey Burke and Hardaway last year, that was only 44% of the offense, and the Wolverines found a way to reach the Elite Eight this season.
Stauskas and Robinson become the fifth and sixth early-entry departures since coach John Beilein arrived at Michigan in 2007, joining Manny Harris (2010), Darius Morris (2011), Burke and Hardaway (2013).
With Stauskas' and Robinson's departures, Michigan's 2013-14 lineup becomes more clear. If McGary stays, last year's preseason All-America could be a dominant center.
But if he goes, too, the starting lineup could have a returning starting backcourt of point guard Derrick Walton Jr. and shooting guard Caris LeVert (a second-team All-Big Ten selection), sophomore Zak Irvin likely taking over from Stauskas at one wing spot, redshirt freshman Mark Donnal at center and incoming freshman Kameron Chatman at the other wing, replacing Robinson.
Michigan also is recruiting several more players in the 2014 class.
Mark Snyder writes for the Detroit Free Press.
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