Michigan Basketball: 5 potential replacements for Ignas Brazdeikis

Beilein is meeting Moe’s little brother this week in Germany

One of the best possible options for replacing Iggy in the starting lineup is Franz Wagner, who is the younger brother of former Michigan basketball star Moritz Wagner, now of the LA Lakers.

The younger Wagner is a 6-foot-6 wing and is probably best as a 3/4 type which is very similar to the role Brazdeikis played last season. Wagner could start alongside Isaiah Livers, who is a natural really at either the three or four positions.

But what makes him really special is his shooting ability. He’s an excellent shooter from the perimeter and is a very skilled player. Right now, he is playing professionally in Germany and is trying to decide between coming to the United States to play college basketball like Moritz or sign with his professional team and look to enter the NBA down the road.

Yet, some news came this week as the Michigan Insider reported that Beilein was going to Germany to meet with Franz Wagner as he did as one time with Moe. That’s a good sign and it feels like if Wagner does play college ball, he’s going to Michigan, instead of some other places that have been very interested such as Stanford or Butler. Beilein also has a great reputation for getting guys to the NBA.

Wagner would be an ideal fit. He would all a skill element to the offense and a much better mid-range shooting game than Brazdeikis, although he would also need to adjust to the college game and his impact may not be as immediate as Iggy’s, who had one of the best freshman seasons in Michigan basketball history.