Photo by Kobe Bufkin’s NBA Journey Takes Another Step Back The former Michigan Wolverines star has faced one setback after another since entering the 2023 NBA Draft. And now, things have taken another turn for the worse.
Crisler Center
Bufkin was expected to star in the NBA Summer League this July, but a shoulder injury in practice on Tuesday has put a damper on those plans. This is the third injury for the former Wolverine, who suffered a fractured left thumb and a sprained toe during his rookie year with the Atlanta Hawks.
“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.”
Bufkin appeared in just 17 games last year for the Hawks, averaging 4.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 11.5 minutes per game. He also played in 14 games for Atlanta’s G-League team, the College Park Skyhawks, where he averaged over 23 points.
The Summer League was a Chance to Shine The Summer League was supposed to be Bufkin’s chance to show he could be the starter alongside Young, but now he’ll have to wait until training camp in the fall.
Kobe Bufkin 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.
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, and was second on the team with 2.9 assists per game.
It’s been a tough road for Bufkin, but he’ll have to wait until next season to prove himself once again.
