Player Spotlight: Zack Novak

The Michigan basketball season has been full of ups and downs. Through it all, the Wolverines have been lead by their two top players, Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims. But there is another player that is enjoying a very productive season for the Maze and Blue and that’s freshmen guard Zack Novak.

 

Novak, who stands 6’5 and weighs in at 210 lbs., has fit in very well with head Coach John Beilein's offensive scheme this season. And some basketball insiders around the country had seen the writing on the wall before this season started.

 

"Novak is an outstanding catch-and-shoot wing player," ESPN.com national recruiting director Bob Gibson said. "He appears to be an ideal player for coach Beilein’s style of play."

 

 

The Chesterton, IN native left his mark in his hometown as well. While playing his high school basketball at Chesterton High School, he left quite an impression on head coach Tom Peller.

 

 

"You know the rule, give it to Zack and get out of the way," Peller told NWI.com. "In my opinion, he's the best all-around player in Northwest Indiana. His outside shooting is so much more consistent. He's very, very good inside and he has a tremendous driving game. He's truly the complete package now."

 

Novak left many in his hometown stunned when he committed to play at Michigan, as he has been a card carrying Indiana Hoosiers fan his whole life. Novak attended IU summer camps growing up, ran by the infamous Bobby Knight.

 

"When Coach Beilein came, I just knew this was the right fit for me," Novak told Jo Ann Gerstner of the Detroit News hours before Michigan took the floor at Indiana on January 7. "This is the best situation I could have imagined."

 

 

Through 21 games this season, Novak is averaging almost seven points along with three boards and one assist in just under 26 minutes a game. Novak hit his season and career high in a loss to Wisconsin on December 31 when he scored 20 points and had eight assists.

 

However the Wolverines season ends, Novak has shown he can play efficiently at the college level, which gives Michigan fans something to hang their hat on for next season and possibly beyond. The 14-8 Wolverines host the 17-5 Penn State Nittany Lions Thursday night at Crisler Arena.