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INDIANAPOLIS — The video had gone viral on social media before Michigan coach Juwan Howard had even celebrated the 2022 NCAA tournament win with players, and well before he hugged former Fab 5 teammates Chris Webber and Ray Jackson as he made his way to the locker room.
Howard was going through the handshake line — the same kind of line where his actions landed him a suspension some four weeks ago — when he stopped and embraced Tennessee freshman guard Kennedy Chandler.
Howard hugged and talked to the very emotional Chandler after his 11-seed Wolverines upset the 3-seed Volunteers 76-68 to move to the Sweet 16 for the fifth straight year.
“He said to keep my head up,” Chandler said. “It’s tough for me, and he knew I wanted to get the win. I know him. I’ve played with his son since, like, fourth grade. So I know him for a long time. He’s a great coach. I love him. He told me to keep my head up and you played your heart out, that’s what he told me.”
It’s only fitting that so much attention was brought to this moment, considering what Howard endured after he struck Wisconsin assistant coach Joe Krabbenhoft in the head following an animated exchange in the postgame handshake line Feb. 20. This time, Howard was not only showing good sportsmanship to the opponent, he also took on a father-figure role with Chandler because the Tennessee guard played AAU basketball with Howard’s youngest son, Jett.
“Kennedy is an elite player, and he’s one of the best guards in the country,” Howard said. “I got a chance to know Kenny back when my youngest son, Jett, and Kennedy played in AAU, and they won the LeBron James tournament in Ohio. So we had a relationship back then.
“Just watching his growth, I’ve always been impressed. We recruited him and unfortunately we weren’t that lucky. But to see the output, the effort, the growth and being able…
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Source : espn
