It hasn’t been a smooth journey for Kobe Bufkin since entering the 2023 NBA Draft after playing two years at Michigan. He had an injury-plagued rookie season with the Atlanta Hawks and was expected to star in the NBA Summer League this July, but the injury bug has hit Bufkin once again.
According to a recent report, Bufkin is set to miss the whole summer after sustaining a shoulder injury in practice on Tuesday. It’s now the third injury for the former Wolverine. He suffered a fractured left thumb and a sprained toe during his rookie year with the Hawks last NBA season.
Bufkin appeared in just 17 games last year for the Hawks. He averaged 4.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists in 11.5 minutes per game. He also played in 14 games for Atlanta’s G-League team — College Park Skyhawks — where he averaged over 23 points.
Apr 10, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kobe Bufkin (4) is defended by Charlotte Hornets guard Vasilije Micic (22) during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Although the Hawks had Trae Young and Dejounte Murray in the backcourt, the plan was to play Bufkin quite a few minutes last season in a reserve role. Now that the Hawks traded Murray, Bufkin is one of many guards who will be vying for backcourt minutes. The Summer League was a chance for Bufkin to show he could be the starter alongside Young, but he will have to wait until training camp in the fall.
Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin (2) dribbles against Toledo during the second half of the first round of the NIT at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. / Junfu Han/Detroit Free Press / USA TODAY
Bufkin entered the NBA Draft after starting in 33 games for Michigan in his sophomore year. He averaged 14 points and 4.5 rebounds for the Wolverines. He was second on the Michigan men’s basketball team with 2.9 assists per game.
– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –
Michigan Basketball Adds 3 Non-Conference Games To 2024-25 Schedule
Danny Wolf Is Excited To ‘Showcase’ His Game Playing Alongside Vlad Goldin At Michigan
Franz Wagner Gets Massive NBA Deal
Source link : https://www.si.com/college/michigan/basketball/former-michigan-basketball-star-kobe-bufkin-suffers-another-setback-atlanta-hawks
Author :
Publish date : 2024-07-12 08:13:32
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
