Report Card 2014: Caris LeVert

Previously: Glenn Robinson III, Nik Stauskas, Jordan Morgan, Zak Irvin, Spike Albrecht (Photo: Scott Mapes)

Caris LeVert’s sophomore season was so impressive that it was tough to appreciate how good it really was until the season was finished.

We seemed to spend more time worrying about whether LeVert would regress or if his surprising play would hold up for an entire season. It did and LeVert reached double figures in 13 of 14 games down the stretch in Big Ten play, helping Michigan to an outright Big Ten crown. By the end of the year, LeVert was one of the best guards in the Big Ten if not the country.

Expectations for LeVert entering the season were low. He played sparingly as a freshman, weighed about 160 pounds and was a late recruiting addition that seemingly came out of nowhere. There were flashes of impressive play – a big game against Michigan State and timely production in the NCAA tournament – but LeVert was never expected to emerge as an All-Big Ten caliber guard as quickly as he did in 2013-14.

He finished his sophomore season with averages of 13 points, four rebounds and three assists per game, replacing Tim Hardaway Jr.’s production on the wing more effectively than anyone could have imagined. His dynamic cross over dribble and hesitation moves allowed him to get in the lane with ease, but it was his surprisingly efficient three-point jumper that made him so great as a sophomore.