As Jaelin Llewellyn’s season ends, his new responsibility begins

Jaelin Llewellyn transferred to Michigan with ambitions of steering the Wolverines to the NCAA Tournament, a benchmark he fell one win shy of last season with Princeton. He openly talked about the opportunity, and it was no secret that Llewellyn — commended for his leadership and touting a refined offensive repertoire — would play a strong hand in dictating Michigan’s postseason fate. 

Entering December, that vision was still on the table, even amid a slow start to the season for both Llewellyn and Michigan. College basketball is a marathon, not a sprint, and adjustments take time. Michigan has grown well-accustomed to that lesson over the past few seasons, particularly with transfer point guards. 

Now, though, Llewellyn’s season is over. He tore his ACL during Michigan’s Dec. 4 matchup against Kentucky, leaving him to wonder what could have been. 

“There’s never a good time for an injury,” Llewellyn said Tuesday afternoon in his first media appearance since the injury. 

Against the Wildcats, Llewellyn attempted a jump shot and landed awkwardly. He immediately folded to the ground, doubled over in pain. 

“I felt something pop right when I planted, and I kinda knew right then what had happened,” Llewellyn said. “It was definitely a shock factor.” 

Sure enough, subsequent tests revealed the worst. Season-ending surgery is slated for January, though no date is set yet.