Caris LeVert

From Pickerington to Michigan to the NBA: Caris LeVert's journey

via Wikipedia: Caris LeVert · see source

Caris Coleman LeVert (born August 25, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines. LeVert was originally drafted by the Indiana Pacers but was traded to the Brooklyn Nets on draft night. He later played for the Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Atlanta Hawks.

Quick Facts

Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Position: Shooting guard
League: NBA
Born: 25 August 1994
Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
High school: Pickerington Central (Pickerington, Ohio)
College: Michigan (2012–2016)
Draft round: 1

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 for Pickerington High School Central. He was not heavily recruited in high school and his only official visit was to Alabama State. He committed to play basketball for John Groce and the Ohio Bobcats men's basketball program in November 2011. When Groce got hired by Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball in March 2012, LeVert got lost in the shuffle and decided to commit to Michigan.

Reader's Guide

LeVert arrived at Michigan weighing 162 lbs. As a freshman, he began the year behind Stauskas, Robinson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Matt Vogrich on the depth chart for the shooting guard/small forward positions and did not play in the first six games. He made his first start on December 29 against Central Michigan. LeVert averaged 2.3 points in under 11 minutes of play per game.

As a sophomore, he posted his first double-double on January 30 at home against Purdue with a career-high 11 rebounds and 14 points. He was a 2014 second team All-Big Ten selection. On May 12, LeVert underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot. Prior to the 2014–15 season, LeVert was named a first team All-Big Ten preseason selection.

On January 17 against Northwestern, he reinjured the foot and was lost for the season. On April 21, LeVert announced that he would return for his senior season. Prior to the 2015–16 season, LeVert was named an All-Big Ten preseason selection for the second straight year.