Michigan's Caris LeVert still in NBA draft decision process, will remain in walking boot till May

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Michigan junior Caris LeVert underwent surgery on Jan. 21 after suffering a full bone fracture in his left foot during the Wolverines' win over Northwestern.

(Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News)

DETROIT -- Michigan junior Caris LeVert is still deciding on his future and still doing so in a walking boot.

Following an American Cancer Society event at MotorCity Casino Hotel on Monday, U-M coach John Beilein said LeVert still is gathering information on his potential position in the 2015 NBA draft and weighing his options to return for his senior year or pursue a professional career.

That decision is made difficult by LeVert's left foot.

Having undergone surgery on Jan. 21 on a full foot fracture, LeVert was told he would need 12 weeks of recovery and rehabilitation before being able to run and return to the floor.

According to the Beilein, LeVert still is in a boot and is eyeing a return to the court sometime in May.

"I don't know that complete (information), but I know that he's beginning sometime in May, they're going to give him clearance to start running," Beilein said. "If you look at his situation last summer, it took a bit for him (to recover from stress fracture surgery in the same foot)."

The underclassman entry deadline for the NBA draft is April 26. LeVert said after the season that he'll weigh his decision right up until that date.

The NBA Draft Combine will be held until May 12-17 and is followed by draft entrants being invited for individual workouts with NBA teams.

LeVert's health and ability to perform in those workouts could weigh on any decision to stay or go.

"The workouts could be important so that's another thing he's considering -- to make sure that he's going to be ready for workouts if he chooses that route," Beilein said.

When LeVert last spoke to the media in mid-March, he called this year's fracture a "freak injury" and said he was "right on schedule" in his recovery. At the time, the 6-foot-7 guard said he was in week seven of his recovery and had five weeks remaining until he'll be able to start running and cutting.

"Coming back next year would be very fun for me and very beneficial for me and the team as well," LeVert said. "Going to the NBA would also be fun. That's a lifetime dream. It's definitely going to be a tough decision."

With four of those five weeks having passed, LeVert remains in the walking boot.

Prior to undergoing surgery, LeVert led Michigan in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and minutes played. He missed the final 14 games of the 2014-15 season.

"Gaining information is the only thing we're trying to grab right now," Beilein said Monday of LeVert's decision process. "We're trying not to make any kind of timelines or anything like that. It's how can we get the most information at the earliest time."

Beilein has been off campus for the last week, but plans to meet with LeVert "in the next couple of days."

"With the announcements last week of more and more kids (entering the draft), it gives us more information," Beilein said. "So that's what we're trying to put together and we'll continue to meet this week."

If LeVert return to Michigan, Beilein and the Wolverines will return their entire 2014-15 roster next season with the exception of senior forward Max Bielfeldt.

If LeVert enters the draft, he'll become the sixth U-M underclassmen to leave school early in the last three offseasons.

"(LeVert is) a very bright young man and whatever he decides, we'll back him 100 percent," Beilein said.

Brendan F. Quinn covers University of Michigan basketball and football. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on Wolverines hoops. He can be contacted at bquinn@mlive.com

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