Caris LeVert

LeVert is an American guard with a scoring-first mentality, smooth ball-handling, and a career marked by flashes of stardom interrupted by significant injuries. Drafted 20th overall in 2015 and traded to Brooklyn, he developed into a primary scoring option for the Nets before multiple trades sent him to Indiana, Cleveland, and Atlanta. His path from a lightly recruited Ohio high school guard to a Michigan contributor and eventual NBA lottery-level scorer reflects a career built on skill, length, and the challenge of maintaining health.

Born Caris Coleman LeVert on August 25, 1994, he grew up in Columbus before moving to Pickerington, Ohio, in second grade. One of his teammates at Pickerington High School Central was future Ohio State forward Jae'Sean Tate. As a senior, he led Pickerington Central to a 26-2 record and the 2012 OHSAA Division I state championship. He was a 2012 Associated Press All-Ohio Second Team selection and the Columbus Dispatch Metro Player of the Year. He was not heavily recruited, took his only official visit to Alabama State, and originally committed to Ohio in November 2011 to play for John Groce.

When Groce left for Illinois in March 2012, LeVert withdrew his National Letter of Intent and committed to Michigan, ironically because Groce's Ohio team had upset Michigan in the 2012 NCAA tournament. LeVert arrived at Michigan weighing 162 pounds. As a freshman, he did not play in the first six games, but coach John Beilein recognized his defensive value and eventually inserted him into the rotation. On December 29 against Central Michigan, he made his first start alongside freshmen Glenn Robinson III and Nik Stauskas, combining for 48 points. He averaged 2.3 points in under 11 minutes and helped Michigan reach the Elite Eight.

As a sophomore, LeVert emerged as a starter and averaged 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. He scored a career-high 23 points against Wisconsin and helped Michigan win the Big Ten championship. As a junior, he was named to the preseason All-Big Ten team but suffered a season-ending foot injury in January 2015, playing only 18 games. He declared for the 2015 NBA draft.

The Indiana Pacers selected LeVert 20th overall and traded him to Brooklyn. He showed flashes of scoring ability but faced multiple injuries, including a dislocated right foot in 2018 that required surgery and cost him most of the season. When healthy, he averaged over 18 points in multiple seasons and demonstrated three-level scoring, playmaking, and defensive versatility. In 2021, he was traded to Indiana as part of the James Harden deal, then to Cleveland, and later to Atlanta. He has served as both a starter and a sixth man, depending on roster construction and health.

LeVert is a scoring guard with a smooth handle, long strides, and a knack for finishing through contact. He creates separation with crossovers, hesitations, and step-back jumpers, and finishes with either hand at the rim. His three-point shooting improved over his career, and he has shown the ability to carry an offense for stretches. Defensively, his length and quick hands allow him to generate steals and contest shots, though consistency varies. His main challenge has been durability; multiple foot and leg injuries have interrupted seasons and limited his peak potential. When healthy, he operates as a secondary scorer and playmaker who can initiate offense and create for others.

LeVert enters the 2025-26 season with the Detroit Pistons. His résumé includes a 2012 Ohio state title, a lightly recruited background, a commitment flip from Ohio to Michigan, a Big Ten championship, a season-ending foot injury at Michigan, a 20th overall draft selection, a draft-night trade to Brooklyn, an 18-point-per-game season, a dislocated foot in 2018, stints with Indiana, Cleveland, and Atlanta, and a move to Detroit. His path from Pickerington through Michigan and into the NBA reflects a career of scoring flashes, injury interruptions, and persistent efforts to reclaim a primary role at the highest level.