Freshman Michigan guard Jett Howard has informed Jonathan Givony of ESPN that he intends to declare for the 2023 NBA draft.
Howard, currently recovering from ankle injuries to both feet for the next month, is projected as the No. 16 prospect on the latest ESPN mock draft.
“This was a great learning year for me,” Howard told Givony. “It’s what I needed. It taught me how to play within a pro-style offense and be effective, to get out of my comfort zone, and play with other good players.”
The 6-foot-8 swingman was named to the All-Big Ten third team and All-Freshman team. Givony adds that, before his dual ankle ailments, Howard had been considered a possible top-10 lottery selection in this year’s forthcoming draft. Across 29 games in 2022-23, all starts, he posted averages of 14.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.0 APG and 0.7 BPG.
“I’ve had both ankles nagging for a while, so my dad [Michigan head coach and former All-Star big man Juwan Howard] and the coaching staff agreed with the specialist that it’s better for me to get to 100%,” Howard said. “I was only 50-60% [healthy] for most of the Big Ten. My dad being the coach, he was looking out for me and wanted the best for my health. He understands that ankles are tricky. I met with a specialist after the Big Ten tournament and they wanted me to rehab for four to five weeks.”
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