Isaiah Livers

Isaiah M. Livers (born July 28, 1998) is an American college basketball player for the Michigan Wolverines of the Big Ten Conference. He attended Kalamazoo Central High School where he won the Mr. Basketball of Michigan. He was part of the 2017–18 team that won the 2018 Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament and reached the Championship Game of the 2018 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.

Isaiah Livers
No. 2 – Michigan Wolverines
PositionSmall forward / Power forward
LeagueBig Ten Conference
Personal information
Born (1998-07-28) July 28, 1998
Kalamazoo, Michigan
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High schoolKalamazoo Central
(Kalamazoo, Michigan)
CollegeMichigan (2017–present)
Career highlights and awards

Early life

Livers was born on July 28, 1998 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Angela and Morris Livers.[1] He started playing basketball at the age of five with his father in the driveway.[2] Michigan began recruiting Livers in May 2016 and he made his official visit on July 28, earning an offer.[3] At the end of his recruitment, he was considering visiting Cal, but decided to cancel the visit and commit to Michigan.[4] On August 7, Isaiah Livers committed to Michigan over contenders Michigan State, Butler, Minnesota, California, and Boston College.[5][6] Livers signed his National Letter of Intent to Michigan as part of a three-scholarship player incoming class with Jordan Poole and Eli Brooks.[7]

Awards

He was named 2017 Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year and Mr. Basketball of Michigan.[8] Livers edged out second-place finisher Xavier Tillman by a 2,811–2,739 vote margin, although Tillman received three more first-place ballots.[9] It was the closest vote in Mr. Basketball of Michigan history.[9] Livers is Michigan's 11th Mr. Basketball of Michigan, but the first since Manny Harris in 2007.[10]

College career

Freshman
Livers for the 2017–18 Michigan Wolverines

On January 2, 2018, Michigan defeated Iowa 75–68 with Livers contributing a career-best 13 points,[11][12] which was considered a breakout performance.[13] It was the first of three consecutive double-digit efforts off the bench for Livers.[14] This resulted in Livers replacing Duncan Robinson in the starting lineup for Michigan when they faced Michigan State in their rivalry game on January 13.[15][16] Michigan defeated the (#4 AP Poll/#4 Coaches Poll) Spartans for their first victory on the road against a top-five ranked team since January 25, 2014,[17][18] ushering their way into the 2017–18 basketball rankings.[19] On January 15, Michigan defeated Maryland 68–67 as Livers heaved an inbounds pass from under the basket across midcourt with three seconds remaining to Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman who drew a foul for the game-winning free throws with 1.2 seconds remaining.[20][21] Livers rolled his ankle in the second minute of the game against Northwestern on February 6 sidelining him for the rest of the game, which Michigan went on to lose.[22] He missed the next game against Wisconsin before returning to the starting lineup on February 14 against Iowa.[23][24] Livers was again the inbounds passer from the defensive baseline with 3.6 seconds left in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament second round game against (#21 AP Poll/#19 Coaches Poll) Houston on March 17, 2018 when Michigan ran a set play that set up Jordan Poole for a buzzer beater three point shot resulting in a 64–63 win and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen.[25][26][27][28] The team lost in the 2018 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Game to (#2 Coaches Poll/#2 AP Poll) Villanova.[29][30]

Sophomore
Livers for the 2018–19 Wolverines

On January 13, the 2018–19 Wolverines team defeated Northwestern to establish a school record for best start at 17–0 and tied the school's record 17-game win streak.[31][32] On February 28, 2019, Michigan defeated Nebraska 82–53. Livers made his first start of the season, replacing an injured Charles Matthews, and posted 12 points and 10 assists, for his first career double-double.[33][34] On March 14, Michigan defeated Minnesota 76-49 in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament, as Livers posted a career-high 21 points.[35][36]

Junior

On November 12, Michigan defeated Creighton 79–69 in the Gavitt Tipoff Games behind a then career-high 22 points from Livers.[37][38] On November 22, Michigan defeated Houston Baptist 111–68 behind a career-high 24 points by Livers. Michigan's 111 points were the most points scored in a game since a 112–64 victory over Indiana in 1998.[39][40] He suffered a groin injury on December 21 in a win over Presbyterian.[41] He missed nine of the next 10 games before facing Michigan State on February 8.[42] On February 16, Livers suffered an ankle injury against Indiana and missed the following game against Rutgers. In his return versus Purdue, Livers had 19 points, six rebounds, two blocks and a steal in a 71-63 victory.[43] On March 5, Michigan defeated Nebraska 82–58, as Livers posted 18 points and ten rebounds, for his second career double-double.[44][45] At the close of the regular season, Livers was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the media.[46] Livers started 21 games and averaged 12.9 points per game while shooting 40 percent from behind the arc. He missed only two free-throws the entire season, making 44-for-46 (.957) from the line.[47]

Following the season he declared for the 2020 NBA draft but did not hire an agent and left the door open to return for his senior season.[48] On July 17, 2020, Livers announced that he would return to Michigan for his senior season.[49]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Michigan 402215.1.474.362.6672.30.40.30.33.4
2018–19 Michigan 35322.6.487.426.7803.90.70.70.57.9
2019–20 Michigan 212131.5.447.402.9574.01.10.40.712.9
Career 964621.4.468.404.8483.30.70.50.57.1
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References
  1. "4 Isaiah Livers". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  2. Purcell, Jared (March 20, 2017). "Michigan signee Isaiah Livers of Kalamazoo Central is 2017 Mr. Basketball". MLive.com. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  3. Quinn, Brendan F. (August 7, 2016). "Isaiah Livers, a 4-star 2017 forward from Kalamazoo Central, commits to Michigan". MLive.com. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  4. Snyder, Mark (August 9, 2016). "New Michigan basketball commit Isaiah Livers says he's perfect fit". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  5. Quinn, Brendan F. (August 7, 2016). "Isaiah Livers, a 4-star 2017 forward from Kalamazoo Central, commits to Michigan". MLive.com. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  6. Rankin, Reggie (August 7, 2016). "Scout's Take: ESPN 100 PF Isaiah Livers to Michigan". ESPN. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  7. Snyder, Mark (November 11, 2016). "Michigan basketball officially announces 2017 class". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  8. Nothaft, Patrick (March 20, 2017). "Kalamazoo Central's Isaiah Livers wins Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year honors". MLive.com. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  9. Goricki, David (March 20, 2017). "Isaiah Livers named Michigan Mr. Basketball". Detroit News. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  10. "Incoming Recruit Livers Named Michigan's Mr. Basketball". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. March 21, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  11. "Michigan beats Iowa 75–68". ESPN. Associated Press. January 2, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  12. "Wolverines Kick Off New Year with Big Ten Road Win at Iowa". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. January 2, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  13. Hawkins, James (January 3, 2018). "UM's Isaiah Livers relishes breakout performance". Detroit News. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  14. "Wolverines Rally, but Fall to No. 5 Boilermakers in Final Seconds". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  15. Sipple, George (January 12, 2018). "Michigan freshman Isaiah Livers may get first start at Michigan State". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  16. Sipple, George (January 12, 2018). "Michigan freshman Isaiah Livers may get first start at Michigan State". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  17. "Wagner scores 27, Michigan beats No. 4 Michigan State 82–72". ESPN. Associated Press. January 13, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  18. "Wolverines Grab Rivalry Road Win Over No. 4 Spartans". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. January 13, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  19. Boone, Kyle (January 15, 2018). "College basketball rankings: Ohio State, Michigan enter coaches poll top 25: The Buckeyes and Wolverines are ranked for the first time this season". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  20. "No. 23 Michigan barely beats short-handed Maryland 68-67". ESPN. Associated Press. January 15, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  21. "Abdur-Rahkman Sinks Terps, Hits 1,000 Points with Winning Free Throws". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. January 15, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  22. Sipple, George (February 7, 2018). "U-M's Isaiah Livers suffers sprained left ankle 61-52 loss at Northwestern". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  23. Kahn, Andrew (February 11, 2018). "Beilein updates on Livers injury, foul shooting struggles after road win". MLive.com. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  24. Balas, Chris (February 14, 2018). "Michigan Basketball Instant Recap: U-M Handles Iowa, 74-59". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  25. "Poole party! Michigan sinks buzzer-beating 3-pointer". Reuters. March 17, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  26. Borzello, Jeff (March 18, 2018). "Michigan's Jordan Poole: 'Gotta always be ready for the opportunity'". ESPN. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  27. Wyrot, Tom (March 18, 2018). "March Madness: Poole Sends Michigan to Sweet 16". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  28. "Poole's buzzer-beating sends Michigan past Houston, 64-63". ESPN. Associated Press. March 18, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  29. "Villanova takes title, 79-62 over Michigan behind DiVincenzo". ESPN. Associated Press. April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  30. Wyrot, Tom (April 2, 2018). "Michigan Comes Up Short Against Villanova in National Championship Game". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  31. "No. 2 Michigan now 17-0 after 80-60 win over Northwestern". ESPN. Associated Press. January 13, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  32. Wyrot, Tom (January 13, 2019). "Career Nights from Simpson, Teske Spark U-M to Victory, Program-Best 17-0 Start". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  33. "No. 9 Michigan beats Nebraska 82-53 in home finale". ESPN. Associated Press. February 28, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  34. Wyrot, Tom (February 28, 2019). "Michigan Dominates from Start to Finish Against Nebraska on Senior Night". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  35. "Livers scores 21, No. 10 Michigan pounds Minnesota 76-49". ESPN. Associated Press. March 16, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  36. Wywrot, Tom (March 16, 2019). "Wolverines Dominate Gophers, Advance to Big Ten Tournament Title Game". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  37. "Strong second half lifts Michigan past Creighton 79-69". ESPN. Associated Press. November 12, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
  38. Wywrot, Tom (November 12, 2019). "Livers' Career Night Leads Michigan Past Creighton". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
  39. "Livers scores 24, Michigan routs Houston Baptist, 111-68". ESPN. Associated Press. November 22, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  40. Wywrot, Tom (November 22, 2019). "Simpson's Career Night Leads Michigan to Rout of Houston Baptist". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  41. "Michigan forward Isaiah Livers out indefinitely with groin injury". ESPN. Associated Press. December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  42. "Livers returns, Michigan beats No. 16 Michigan State 77-68". ESPN. Associated Press. February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  43. Sang, Orion (February 24, 2020). "Michigan basketball crossing fingers that Isaiah Livers' injury streak is over". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  44. "No. 25 Michigan beats Nebraska 82-58 with Beilein on hand". ESPN. Associated Press. March 5, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  45. Wywrot, Tom (March 5, 2020). "Wolverines Rout Nebraska for Senior Day Win". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  46. "Big Ten Unveils Men's Basketball Postseason Honors on BTN" (Press release). Big Ten Conference. March 9, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  47. "Isaiah Livers announces return to Michigan basketball for 2020-21". WolverinesWire. 2020-07-17. Retrieved 2020-07-17.
  48. Kahn, Andrew (March 30, 2020). "Michigan junior Isaiah Livers declares for NBA draft". MLive. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  49. Sang, Orion. "Michigan basketball gets big boost with Isaiah Livers returning for his senior year". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2020-07-17.
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