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Michigan Basketball: Do Abdur-Rahkman and Robinson deserve a shot in the pros?

By Matthew Bartlett

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: Duncan Robinson #22 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts in front of the bench as he makes a three-pointer in the second half while taking on the Florida State Seminoles in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional Final at Staples Center on March 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: Duncan Robinson #22 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts in front of the bench as he makes a three-pointer in the second half while taking on the Florida State Seminoles in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional Final at Staples Center on March 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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We know at least one Michigan Basketball player from 2017 will be in the NBA next season. Will Rahkman and Robinson get an opportunity also?

With the 2018 NBA Draft is just weeks away, we already know former Michigan Basketball player Mo Wagner will get selected. Depending on Charles Matthews decision this afternoon, he may also get drafted at the end of June. But  no one really talks about the future of Duncan Robinson or Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman.

Muhammad and Duncan have graduated and are ready to make their next move in life. I’m not completely sure if that move involves basketball, but I think both players deserve a shot in the NBA and/or overseas.

Not only did Robinson transfer from a division III school, he evolved into a terrific player. He’s primarily a three point specialist, but can also create plays. During his three seasons as a Wolverine, Robinson averaged 9.3 points per game and shot 41% from beyond the arch. He’s listed as a guard/forward, but plays more like a guard at 6’8″.

NBA Scouting live believes Duncan, “may not be the most dynamic player, but he can knock down threes, as his jump shot could give him a chance to make an NBA team’s roster”. After all, what NBA team couldn’t use a 6’8″ knockdown shooter?

Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman wasn’t recruited by a lot of top programs, but he ended up having a a great college career. As far as scoring goes, Abdur-Rahkman is extremely versatile. He can hit threes, drive in for layups, and even make floaters in the lane. He also developed this ability to drive to the hoop and make bad angle shots.

In his 144 games in a Michigan uniform, Abdur-Rahkman averaged 9.1 points per game and shot 36% from deep. NBA Scouting Live provides this scouting report on M.A.A.R:

"Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman is an athletic combo guard that is capable of putting up points in a hurry when he is on the floor…His play has been inconsistent over the course of the season however, but his skill set may suggest that he could end up being a good addition to an NBA team’s summer league roster."

​I would be extremely surprised if Robinson and/or Abdur-Rahkman didn’t get a summer league invite. They’ve come a long way to this point and deserve a shot to compete with the best basketball players in the world. 

Next: Will Mo go in the first round of the Draft?

If they do make summer league rosters but fail to impress, they could head overseas much like Stu Douglass and many former Wolverines. M.A.A.R and Robinson won’t be playing with the best players in the world, but they would get significantly more minutes played.

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