From Ann Arbor to the Pros: 16 Former Wolverines Land on NBA Rosters

The Michigan basketball program continues to show its worldwide impact as the new professional hoops season draws near. A total of 35 former Wolverines who finished their college careers in Ann Arbor are currently playing professionally across the globe. That includes 16 players earning spots on NBA training camp rosters, along with 19 athletes competing across 14 countries and four continents.

With 16 players on NBA rosters as camps open, Michigan ranks fourth nationally behind only Kentucky, Duke, and Arizona. The New Orleans Pelicans hold the largest collection of former Maize and Blue stars, boasting a trio that includes Kobe Bufkin, Caleb Houstan, and Jordan Poole.

Meanwhile, former Michigan coach Dusty May and the Dallas Mavericks had an eventful trip to China. Featuring Wolverines Jett Howard and Morez Johnson Jr., Dallas split a two game preseason series against the Houston Rockets. After dropping a 135 to 117 decision in the opener, Dallas responded with a dominant 132 to 115 victory in the finale.

Several rookies from Michigan’s 2026 national championship squad have already turned heads during preseason action. Yaxel Lendeborg has made an immediate mark with the Golden State Warriors, leading the team in scoring in back to back games. Lendeborg poured in 17 points against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 6, then followed it up on October 10 with a 23 point double double against the Sacramento Kings that included 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block.

Over with the Oklahoma City Thunder, big man Aday Mara showed off unbelievable efficiency. Mara went a perfect 15 for 15 from the field across two games against New Orleans and Milwaukee, combining for 34 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks. His high mark came against the Bucks on October 7, when he poured in 22 points on 10 for 10 shooting.

Vladislav Goldin also turned in a strong performance for the Miami Heat. In a narrow 125 to 124 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 10, Goldin racked up 18 points on 7 for 10 shooting from the floor and 3 for 3 from the foul line while adding six rebounds, two assists, and a block.

The modern Wolverine pipeline is stronger than ever. Since Tim Hardaway Jr. went in 2013, 11 Michigan players have been selected in the first round of the NBA Draft. That draft success peaked in 2026 when Morez Johnson Jr. at number 9, Yaxel Lendeborg at number 11, and Aday Mara at number 12 became the program’s first trio of first round picks in the same draft since 1990. It also marked the first time Michigan produced three lottery picks in a single draft. Along with Exhibit 10 signee Nimari Burnett, four members of that 2026 championship squad are on NBA rosters.

Veterans continue to supply plenty of staying power too. Five Michigan alumni have played at least seven seasons in the league, led by Hardaway entering his 14th year. Caris LeVert begins his 11th year, Moritz Wagner and Duncan Robinson start their ninth, and Jordan Poole enters year eight. Changes are coming for the Wagner family, however, as Moritz signed with the Brooklyn Nets, marking the first time in Franz Wagner’s career that the brothers will play on separate teams.