'It feels surreal': Michigan's Jett Howard taken by Orlando Magic with No. 11 pick

Like father, like son.

Jett Howard followed his dad’s footsteps and played for Juwan at his alma mater.

Then after spending one season at Michigan, Jett embarked on the next chapter of his basketball journey — one that officially began Thursday night when he was selected by Orlando with the No. 11 overall pick in the NBA Draft.

“Just excitement,” Howard said on ESPN of his emotions after being picked by the Magic, who grabbed a Michigan player for the third consecutive draft.

“I’m trying not to break down right now. All the work I put in with my dad over the past few months and all the people that doubted me, that really helped me out and honestly helped me keep going. This has been a dream of mine since I can remember. It feels surreal.”

Howard, 19, was the first of two Wolverines — both of whom received green room invites and were in attendance with their families at New York’s Barclays Center — to be taken in the first round. Kobe Bufkin was scooped up four picks later at No. 15 by the Atlanta Hawks as Michigan was, once again, well represented in the draft.

The selections mark the ninth draft in 11 years a Wolverine had his name called. Howard and Bufkin are Michigan's 15th and 16th draft picks over that span and fifth and sixth players during Juwan Howard’s tenure to be drafted, joining Franz Wagner (2021; No. 8 to Orlando), Isaiah Livers (2021; No. 42 to Detroit), Caleb Houstan (2022; No. 32 to Orlando) and Moussa Diabate (2022; No. 43 to L.A. Clippers).

Thursday also marked the first time Michigan has had multiple top-15 picks in a draft since 1994, when Juwan Howard and Jalen Rose were selected No. 5 and No. 13 by Washington and Denver, respectively.

Howard credited his dad — who won two NBA championships and played for the Magic in 2003-04 during his 19-year career — for helping him achieve his dream and reach the league as a second-generation lottery pick.

“I'll probably say the time on the court we spent together from an early age (prepared me the most),” said Howard, who was the first Big Ten player to go off the board.

“We've been working out individually, with my brother (Jace) as well. Just teaching me how to shoot, teaching me all the tricks off the court, on the court, telling me to just be consistent with my work, and it paid off for me.”

Howard, a former top-50 recruit and Juwan’s youngest son, wasted little time making an impression and showcasing his shot-making ability by dropping 21 points in his regular-season debut with the Wolverines. Throughout his lone season in Ann Arbor, the 6-foot-8 wing showed impressive shooting range and a knack for creating for himself and others off dribble handoffs or pick-and-rolls.

Howard had his ups and downs, particularly during Big Ten play, and dealt with injuries to both ankles during his freshman year. By season’s end, he was Michigan’s second-leading scorer (14.2 points), was one of the top 3-point threats in the Big Ten (led Michigan by a wide margin with 78 made 3s on 36.8% shooting) and was named to the conference’s all-freshman team.

While Howard leaves a lot to be desired in other areas, he still possesses the size and shooting prowess that NBA teams covet at the wing position.

“He's a rangy jump shooter,” ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas said. “He squares up quickly at odd angles, he comes off screens effectively, and he can rise up. He's got beautiful form on the shot.

“The only question I would have about Jett Howard – I think he's a good athlete, but is he going to impact the game in other areas than just shooting and scoring? I think he can be a better defender and I think he could be a better rebounder. He didn't rebound at as high a rate as you would have expected given his size when he was at Michigan.”

Howard was projected to be selected later in the first round in most mock drafts, something he was aware of and noted will drive him to “prove that I’m supposed to be in this spot.”

In Orlando, Howard will join a young squad that includes a pair of former Wolverines in Wagner and Houstan, last year’s No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero and Arkansas guard Anthony Black, who the Magic used their No. 6 pick on.

“Honestly, I feel like I'll fit in like a glove with my ability to space the floor and make open shots,” Howard said. “I've always been able to play with good other players throughout high school and college, so I think I'll fit in really well with them.

“I can't wait to get on the team and help.”

And the fact that he’ll start his NBA career closer to home with some familiar Michigan faces on a team that his dad once briefly played for wasn’t lost on Howard.

“It means the world,” he said. “It's a beautiful moment.”

jhawkins@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @jamesbhawkins