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Franz Wagner took his time before making a decision on his future, but he’s finally announced what he’ll do.
Speaking with ESPN on Tuesday, Wagner revealed that he’ll be entering his name into the 2021 NBA Draft. He will leave Michigan after spending two years with the program and helping the Wolverines win a B1G regular season title during the 2020-21 campaign.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted out the news on Tuesday morning.
University of Michigan sophomore forward Franz Wagner – the ninth-rated draft prospect in ESPN’s Top 100 – is entering the 2021 NBA Draft, he told ESPN. Wagner was the highest-rated player on ESPN’s board still unannounced for the July draft.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 4, 2021
Wagner plans to hire an agent and doesn’t intend to keep his option open for a return to Ann Arbor. The NCAA allows for players to declare for the draft and retain their collegiate eligibility as long as they’ve withdrawn by the deadline date.
Last season, Wagner averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game for the Wolverines and stretched the floor offensively for Juwan Howard’s squad. He shot 47% from the floor and was one of the B1G’s top-rated pro prospects for the 2021 NBA Draft.
Michigan ended the season with a 23-5 record and a 14-3 record in the conference, the best winning percentage in the league. The Wolverines earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and reached the Elite Eight before being eliminated by UCLA.
In two seasons at Michigan, Wagner played in 55 games and averaged 12.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest. He shot over 46% percent from the floor for his career and knocked down better than 32% of his shots from behind the 3-point line.
Wagner’s older brother, Moe Wagner, also played at Michigan and is currently a member of the Orlando Magic.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB