LeBron and D-Wade Praise Michigan's Juwan Howard Hire
By Austin Pert
According to multiple reports, Juwan Howard is expected to be hired as head coach at the University of Michigan. That's right, the former Wolverines is returning home.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade both played with/under Howard while with the Miami Heat. As you might expect, both star players are PUMPED about Michigan's latest move.
Talk to me nice. Say it is so!!!? My guy deserves this opportunity. This will only be right https://t.co/TWWH4UuiTZ
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) May 22, 2019
LeBron echoed Wade's excitement.
Man WHAT!!!!?? Absolutely the right choice and i hope it becomes a done deal ASAP!! One of my favorite people I’ve ever met at the age of 16 and been around since then. ?? https://t.co/hdmF60odnm
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 22, 2019
A move to Michigan would be full circle for Howard, who played for the Wolverines during the "Fab 5" era between 1991-94 with fellow stars Chris Webber and Jalen Rose.
Picked fifth overall by the then-Washington Bullets in the 1994 NBA Draft, Howard spent 20 seasons in the league with eight teams, finishing with the Miami Heat in the heart of the "Big 3" era.
Howard returned to the Heat immediately after retiring, becoming an assistant coach to Erik Spoelstra and helping guide the franchise through the uncertain post-Big 3 era.
A move back to Michigan, where his stardom began, would be a legacy-minded decision for Howard. There are big shoes to fill in Ann Arbor after 12 years of John Beilein--the coach that led the Maize and Blue out of the basketball wilderness and back into the national conversation--left to take the Cleveland Cavaliers head coaching position. Michigan has always needed to find recognizable name in to replace Beilein, and Howard would bring just that.