While many assume he's NBA-bound, Michigan basketball's Franz Wagner still hasn't announced his next move. He's been finishing his classes, working out daily and preparing for next year's season, wherever it may be.
The NBA Draft will be hard to pass up. Most projections have him going anywhere from No. 9 to No. 21 after he averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, shooting 34.3 percent from three-point range.
"I can't imagine (he'll come back)," a source close to the team said. "He's probably going to be a lottery pick."
But his standard answer in the building when asked is, "I haven't decided yet." That's led some to believe he might return for a third year the way his brother, Moritz, did (though Moe wasn't a projected lottery pick in his second year). Head coach Juwan Howard and his staff have been preparing for life without him, but there will at least be a a sliver of hope until he makes it official.
"It’s really part of the business of being at this level," assistant Saddi Washington told us Friday. "Honestly, I and most of our staff have really just allowed him and his family the space to make whatever decision he's going to make about this. Obviously, if he wanted to stay and do another year at Michigan, we're going to welcome him with open arms. If he feels it's time to make that next step, he for one has surely worked his butt off and put himself in really good position to make a decision like that."
That, of course, means the Michigan coaches have done what they were supposed to do with a high-end talent.
"At the end of the day, our job — as we like to say — is to put guys in position to be in position," Washington said. "You can say whatever decision the young man makes, he is going to be extremely successful with it."
Added assistant Phil Martelli: "No matter what ... what an unbelievable kid. A 4.0 student. Always in the gym."
When he's there, sources tell us, he's working out with the NBA ball now, seemingly a clue as to his next move. Another close to him said, "he's gone," adding Wagner chuckles a bit when asked if he has a decision to make.
But until he announces, Michigan fans will continue to hold on to the hope that maybe — just maybe — he'll opt to come back for another year. He spends a lot of time on the shot he missed against UCLA from the top of the key that could have propelled U-M to the Final Four — he knocks them down consistently — and it's clear he thinks about that.
It makes sense that he'd leave, but he'll have to go with one of his worst games in a Michigan uniform as his last if he does.
"I'll tell you this — we'd win the National Championship if he did come back," the source said on condition of anonymity.
Again, don't bet on it, but that's where things stand as of May 2. If there's anything new to report in the days to come, we'll let you know.
The NBA Draft will be hard to pass up. Most projections have him going anywhere from No. 9 to No. 21 after he averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, shooting 34.3 percent from three-point range.
"I can't imagine (he'll come back)," a source close to the team said. "He's probably going to be a lottery pick."
But his standard answer in the building when asked is, "I haven't decided yet." That's led some to believe he might return for a third year the way his brother, Moritz, did (though Moe wasn't a projected lottery pick in his second year). Head coach Juwan Howard and his staff have been preparing for life without him, but there will at least be a a sliver of hope until he makes it official.
"It’s really part of the business of being at this level," assistant Saddi Washington told us Friday. "Honestly, I and most of our staff have really just allowed him and his family the space to make whatever decision he's going to make about this. Obviously, if he wanted to stay and do another year at Michigan, we're going to welcome him with open arms. If he feels it's time to make that next step, he for one has surely worked his butt off and put himself in really good position to make a decision like that."
That, of course, means the Michigan coaches have done what they were supposed to do with a high-end talent.
"At the end of the day, our job — as we like to say — is to put guys in position to be in position," Washington said. "You can say whatever decision the young man makes, he is going to be extremely successful with it."
Added assistant Phil Martelli: "No matter what ... what an unbelievable kid. A 4.0 student. Always in the gym."
When he's there, sources tell us, he's working out with the NBA ball now, seemingly a clue as to his next move. Another close to him said, "he's gone," adding Wagner chuckles a bit when asked if he has a decision to make.
But until he announces, Michigan fans will continue to hold on to the hope that maybe — just maybe — he'll opt to come back for another year. He spends a lot of time on the shot he missed against UCLA from the top of the key that could have propelled U-M to the Final Four — he knocks them down consistently — and it's clear he thinks about that.
It makes sense that he'd leave, but he'll have to go with one of his worst games in a Michigan uniform as his last if he does.
"I'll tell you this — we'd win the National Championship if he did come back," the source said on condition of anonymity.
Again, don't bet on it, but that's where things stand as of May 2. If there's anything new to report in the days to come, we'll let you know.
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