Breaking News: A former Michigan Wolverine is heading to Hollywood!
On Tuesday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers announced they've signed ex-Michigan basketball player Kobe Bufkin to a 10-day contract. This exciting news, published on January 13, 2026, comes from Andrew Kahn of MLive. But that's not the only connection to the Wolverines here.
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' general manager, is also a former Wolverine, creating a strong Michigan presence within the iconic franchise. Bufkin, standing at 6-foot-5, will don the number 18 for the Lakers.
Bufkin's recent performance in the G League has been impressive. Playing for the Lakers' affiliate, he averaged a remarkable 28.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5 assists across seven games. This performance likely caught the eye of the Lakers' management.
His journey to the Lakers hasn't been a straight line. Drafted as the 15th pick in the 2023 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks, Bufkin was later traded to the Brooklyn Nets in September. However, the Nets waived him before the season began. He then had a brief stint with the Motor City Cruise, a G League team, before the Lakers' G League team traded a 2027 first-round draft pick to acquire him. Earlier this season, he also played for the Memphis Grizzlies on a 10-day contract.
In his NBA career, Bufkin has played in 27 games, all during his first two seasons. During that time, he averaged 11.9 minutes, 5 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Injuries have unfortunately limited his playing time.
Bufkin, now 22 years old, played at Michigan for two seasons under coach Juwan Howard. As a sophomore in the 2022-23 season, he averaged 14 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.
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Andrew Kahn, who covers University of Michigan athletics for MLive, primarily focuses on Michigan football, men's basketball, and women's basketball. He joined MLive in 2017 after freelancing for The Wall...
What are your thoughts on this signing? Do you think Bufkin will make a significant impact on the Lakers? Share your opinions in the comments below!
