Big Ten Daily: Michigan Basketball Coach Juwan Howard 'Not Interested' in Leaving for NBA
Despite coaching vacancies beginning to appear in the NBA, Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard isn't interested in fielding a discussion that involves him leaving Ann Arbor, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Sources: Michigan’s Juwan Howard continues to tell NBA teams he's not interested in even a discussion on leaving Ann Arbor. Teams are also calling to gather intel on Memphis coach Penny Hardaway's work. He's going to get offers to interview for openings in this NBA job cycle.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2021
Howard, who was a member of the Wolverines' Fab Five, was hired by his alma mater in 2019. Michigan earned a 19-12 overall record in Howard's first season at the helm. He led the team to a 23-5 record in 2020-21, which included a 14-3 mark in Big Ten play.
The Wolverines won the Big Ten Conference regular-season title and managed to make an appearance in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Michigan's season ended in a 51-49 loss to UCLA.
Howard's success earned him 2021 AP College Coach of the Year. His NBA experience as a player and assistant coach, paired with accolades at the college ranks, makes him a prime candidate for professional opportunities.
But for now, Howard is saying he's not interested.
“Our goal is to be prepared for next year, and this summer we are going to work extremely hard in preparing our guys, and then also in the fall so we can play for next season," Howard said after the loss to the Bruins in the NCAA Tournament. "But right now, it's hard for me to start thinking about next year because on my brain, this game is very fresh."
Former Michigan State Player Keith Appling to Remain in Jail
Former Michigan State basketball player Keith Appling was held without bond after appearing in court on Thursday. A not-guilty plea was entered on Appling's behalf, and a judge ordered that he stay in the Wayne County Jail before his next scheduled court date on June 22.
Appling, a Detroit native who played for Michigan State's basketball program from 2010 to 2014, was arraigned Thursday on murder and felony firearm charges in the May 22 death of Clyde Edmonds after a dispute over a gun.
His girlfriend, Natalie Brooks Bannister, is also facing charges in the case for allegedly driving him away from the scene and lying to investigators.
Appling, a former McDonald's All-American and star Spartan, played in the NBA's G League and appeared in five games for the Orlando Magic in 2015-16. Most recently, he played professionally in Italy in 2019.
In 2020, Appling was placed on probation due to a drug case, and his record shows a jail sentence for carrying a concealed weapon and resisting police.
“I’m trying to reserve, trying not to do what the world does and make him guilty until he’s proven it,” Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo said of the situation. “And yet, everything I hear, it’s not great.”
Micah Potter Scheduled for Predraft Workout
Former Wisconsin forward Micah Potter is scheduled for a predraft workout with Golden State. Potter, who forwent his extra season of eligibility with the Badgers, is getting married on Friday and will fly to San Francisco for a workout with the Warriors on Monday.
During his senior season at Wisconsin, Potter averaged 12.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 22.2 minutes per game. He shot 50.4% from the floor, including 38.6% from 3-point range.
Potter scored 15 or more points in nine different appearances for the Badgers in 2020-21. The 6-foot-10 big man also recorded five double-doubles. His final double-double of the season came during the team's loss to Baylor in the NCAA Tournament.
See Previous Big Ten Daily Stories
- BIG TEN DAILY, JUNE 10: Matt Schembechler and former Michigan players will spoke to the media at 1 p.m., former Penn State fullback Brian Milne battles life-threatening disease and Wisconsin Athletics introduces NIL readiness program. Here's the latest from around the Big Ten. CLICK HERE
- BIG TEN DAILY, JUNE 9: Former Michigan State basketball player Keith Appling will be arraigned via Zoom on Thursday after being charged with Murder, Ohio State football assumes No. 1-ranked recruiting class and former Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey leaves Louisville. CLICK HERE
Become Part of the Boilermakers Country Community!
- Follow D.J. Fezler on Twitter: @DJFezler
- Follow BoilermakersCountry on Twitter: @sports_purdue
- Like and follow BoilermakersCountry on Facebook
D.J. Fezler is a staff writer for BoilermakersCountry.com. Hailing from The Region, he is from Cedar Lake in Northwest Indiana and has spent the last two years covering Purdue football and basketball.