Michigan Basketball: Breaking down Wolverines with DeVante Jones

After withdrawing from the NBA draft, DeVante Jones will be joining Michigan basketball and here’s a look at the Wolverines with him in the lineup. 

The Michigan basketball team made a huge addition to its 2021-2022 roster early Monday morning when Coastal Carolina transfer guard DeVante Jones officially withdrew from the NBA Draft.

Jones had been flirting with the NBA, and even participated in a handful of G-League combine games before ultimately opting to return to school and join the Wolverines.

The 6-foot-1 point guard first announced his intentions to attend Michigan back in May, but kept all his options open.  It’s now official, however, that Jones will be going back to school for one last season.

Jones had an amazing junior season with Coastal Carolina, averaging 19.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 26 games and winning Sun Belt Player of the Year.

Michigan basketball fans will hope he can produce just as well, or even better, next season with the Wolverines.  He will have big shoes to fill, as former Michigan point guard Mike Smith exceeded all expectations in his lone season in Ann Arbor.

Now that Jones is solidified in the fold for next season, let’s take a look at how this will affect Michigan’s roster for the 2021-2022 season.

Point Guard

The loss of aforementioned Mike Smith would’ve hurt Michigan basketball in a big way if it wasn’t for Jones’ decision to play for the Wolverines.

Instead, Jones adds experience along with talent to an already loaded backcourt. Expect Jones to get the bulk of the minutes as the primary ball handler, but don’t think that freshman Frankie Collins and sophomore Zeb Jackson will ride the bench.

Coach Howard will make every attempt to get Collins and Jackson as much experience as possible, especially prior to the start of Big Ten play.