Caris LeVert

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

LeVert grew up in Columbus but moved to Pickerington, Ohio in second grade. One of his teammates at Pickerington High School Central was future Ohio State forward Jae'Sean Tate. As a high school senior, he led Pickerington Central to a 26–2 record and the 2012 OHSAA Division I state championship. LeVert was a 2012 Associated Press All-Ohio Second Team high school basketball player and the 2012 Columbus Dispatch Metro Player of the Year. He committed to play basketball for John Groce and the Ohio Bobcats in November 2011. When Groce got hired by Illinois in March 2012, LeVert decided to commit to Michigan. The source notes that Groce's 2011–12 Ohio Bobcats' upset of Michigan in the 2012 NCAA tournament was 'probably the reason' Groce was hired by Illinois and LeVert withdrew his National Letter of Intent to play for Ohio.

In Their Own Story

LeVert's junior season at Michigan began with high expectations, earning him first-team All-Big Ten preseason honors and a spot on multiple All-American lists. Named co-captain alongside Spike Albrecht, he opened the season with 9 assists against Hillsdale College and set a career high with 32 points in an upset loss to NJIT. However, disaster struck on January 17 against Northwestern when he reinjured his foot, which had required surgery just months prior in May 2014. At the time of the injury, LeVert led Michigan in scoring (14.9), rebounds (4.9), assists (3.7), steals (1.7), and minutes (35.8). After a recovery period on crutches until early March, he faced a critical decision regarding his draft stock. Consulting the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee, he chose to return for his senior season in 2016 rather than risk being drafted in the second round. His senior year featured a historic triple-double against Northern Kentucky on December 15, where he recorded 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, becoming the fourth player in program history to achieve the feat.

Reader's Guide

LeVert arrived at Michigan weighing an unspecified amount. As a freshman, he began the year behind Stauskas, Robinson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Matt Vogrich on the depth chart. He made his first start on December 29 against Central Michigan. As a sophomore, he posted career-highs including 17 points and 5 rebounds on November 8 against UMass Lowell, and 24 points on November 12 against South Carolina State. He posted his first double-double on January 30 against Purdue with 11 rebounds and 14 points. He was a 2014 second team All-Big Ten selection. On May 12, he underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot. As a junior, he was named a first team All-Big Ten preseason selection. He posted a career-high 32 points on December 6 in an upset loss to NJIT. On January 17 against Northwestern, he reinjured his foot and was lost for the season. He returned for his senior season.

Did You Know?

• LeVert was not heavily recruited in high school; his only official visit was to Alabama State.
• LeVert's teammate at Pickerington High School Central was future Ohio State forward Jae'Sean Tate.
• LeVert led Michigan in scoring (14.9), rebounds (4.9), assists (3.7), steals (1.7) and minutes (35.8) at the time of his junior season injury.