2016 NBA Draft Profile: Caris LeVert (Michigan Wolverines)

A 6 foot, 7 inch guard from Ohio, Caris LeVert had an up and down career while playing for the Michigan Wolverines. After using up his playing eligibility, he will look to get his career back on track by making a name for himself in the NBA.

After averaging just over 10 minutes a game in his freshman season, the year the Wolverines lost in the NCAA Championship game, LeVert saw his minutes increase to over 30 for the remainder of his time in Ann Arbor.

His sophomore season was arguably his most productive season. LeVert played across 37 games, averaging 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals. After being eliminated in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, LeVert was named the All-Midwest Regional team.

LeVert underwent surgery in the offseason to repair a stress fracture in his foot. Early in January of his junior season, the same foot sidelined LeVert, causing him to miss the rest of the season.

After forgoing the draft, LeVert again was plagued by a pair of injuries in his final season. After what looked to be a promising college career, injuries have caused his draft stock to plummet into the middle of the second round instead of possibly being a lottery pick.

Injury concerns are undoubtedly going to scare teams away from drafting LeVert. But by the middle of the second round, teams will be willing to take some risk and look at the potential of a healthy LeVert.

So what can he offer when healthy?

His height gives teams flexibility when it comes to getting him on the floor. LeVert could play the small forward position, but will most likely be used as the point or shooting guard. His height gives him the ability to both shoot over smaller defenders and see the floor well. He lacks the body size to dominate guards and may have a difficult time guarding bigger guards however.

His jump shot is one that should translate into the NBA. He shot over 40 percent from three-point land in his final three seasons at Michigan, and that alone should warrant him a decent shot at making a NBA roster this upcoming season.

He lacks the ability to create offense for himself and may find himself as more of a facilitator and spot-up shooter going forward. He would have averaged 6.6 assists per 40 minutes in college, so that is probably his biggest strength going into the draft.

As far as a defender, his height and wingspan should help him force shot adjustments from smaller guards, but his small body size will serve as a weakness when defending in the post. One also has to wonder if LeVert will be a step or two slower than his college self due to the foot injuries.

If he were to get drafted, it is most likely that LeVert is taken in the second round. Whichever team that drafts or sings him as an undrafted free agent will certainly be taking a risk based on his injury-filled past, but there is still plenty of potential in the former Wolverine. If he can put his injuries behind him and possibly bulk up by 10-15 pounds, LeVert could turn into a steal in the upcoming NBA Draft.