Michigan Basketball: Breaking down Mike Smith’s departure for pro ball

Michigan basketball point guard Mike Smith declared for the NBA Draft on Wednesday afternoon.

Michigan basketball lost its floor general on Wednesday afternoon when Mike Smith declared for the NBA Draft.  Smith was assumed to be departing from the program, and now that move is made official, per Smith’s Instagram page.

Smith committed to the Wolverines on April 10th of last year, as a grad transfer from Columbia University.  Point guard was one of Michigan’s biggest needs after Zavier Simpson graduated, and Smith was as good a replacement as Juwan Howard could have found.

The Columbia transfer altered his play style completely for the betterment of the team.  Smith was known as a high-volume scorer, who averaged 22.8 points per game in his last season at Columbia, and never averaged fewer than 13 points per game.  He completely turned his game around, when he averaged just 9 points per game in his lone season at Michigan.

Smith was the definition of a team player.  He didn’t force shots unless the team needed him to, as it did in Michigan’s Big Ten Tournament opener against Maryland.  Smith also recorded his best three-point percentage in his one year at Michigan, logging 41.8 percent from behind the arc.

This move was expected by many, as Smith would’ve been returning for a sixth collegiate season, and for someone who wants to make a career out of the game of basketball, six seasons at the amateur level is plenty.  Smith is not projected to be taken in any mock drafts, but could most definitely be signed as an undrafted free agent, or pursue professional opportunities overseas.

Smith may not be the only starter Michigan loses this offseason, however.  Franz Wagner and Isaiah Livers are also expected to declare for the draft.

This would result in Michigan basketball losing three starters if Livers and Wagner do take the professional route.

Smith may have only played one season in Ann Arbor, but he will be remembered as a great player, a facilitator, and an overall team player.

We wish nothing but the best to Mike Smith and his basketball journey!