Defend the Block: Bufkin Dishes on Passing Prowess, Grandma's Influence
9/21/2021 8:41:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Features
The "Defend the Block" podcast's profiles of the Michigan men's basketball freshmen conclude with guard Kobe Bufkin, who discusses growing up as a Wolverines fan, the recruiting process that led him to Ann Arbor, some of the key aspects of his game, and his early impressions of some of his teammates.
By Erin O'Hara
Supporting the block M is not anything new for University of Michigan men's basketball freshman Kobe Bufkin, who grew up a Michigan fan. Some of his earliest memories are watching Michigan football games on TV with his family and cheering on the Wolverines. Every other year on his birthday, he made the trip over from Grand Rapids and celebrated with more than 100,000 fellow Michigan fans by going to the Big House for a football game.
However, the biggest Michigan fan he knew was right in his own family. Bufkin's grandmother -- and her passion for the Wolverines -- was a large part of why he chose to come to Michigan.
"Ever since the Fab Five she was locked on the Michigan wave," the 6-foot-4 guard said on this week's edition of the "Defend the Block" podcast. "As long as it has the block M attached to it, she's reppin' it."
Family is something that is important to him and is a large part of why he decided to come to Michigan; the team just felt like family to him, including assistant coach Saddi Washington.
"He is an overall great dude," Bufkin said of Washington, whom he cites as a significant factor in choosing Michigan over other schools. "He makes you feel comfortable any time you are talking to him."
Washington was a frequent point of contact for him during the recruiting process as a McDonald's All-American at Grand Rapids Christian High, and he felt he could hold a genuine conversation with him for as long as he needed. He was a key resource for Bufkin as he was learning everything he needed to know about U-M and Michigan basketball.
The strong relationships he has developed extend beyond Bufkin and the coaching staff, all the way through the rest of the incoming class and his new Wolverine teammates.
"We've jelled well," said Bufkin of the chemistry between him and the six other Wolverine freshmen. "We connect on all cylinders on and off the court."
Chemistry is a key component of what Bufkin believes to be his strongest assets as a basketball player: his court vision to find passing lanes and his understanding of the game.
"Working on passing is something a lot of basketball players take for granted," said Bufkin. "All basketball players have some sort of knack for the game, and mine is just my vision."
Another thing he is not taking for granted in this opportunity to play at a top basketball school is being able to learn from some of the best in the business. From the weight room to the practice gym, Bufkin has grown in all aspects of his game since joining the squad at Michigan as he learns from and competes against his new teammates.
Fifth-year senior Eli Brooks has been an integral part of teaching Bufkin and the rest of the team's newcomers "the Michigan way," acting as a "coach on the floor" for them.
Bufkin also enjoys how competing against players like 7-foot-1 sophomore Hunter Dickinson at practice has improved his game as well.
"I like the challenge," he said in true "For Competitors Only" fashion.
• MGoBlue Podcasts
