Isaiah Livers Bio
Isaiah Maurice Livers is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he plays under a two-way contract that also assigns him to the Valley Suns of the NBA G League. A 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) forward listed at 232 lb (105 kg), he has built his career on perimeter shooting, intelligent positioning, and a team-first approach developed through four seasons at the University of Michigan. Drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 2021, Livers has persevered through significant injury setbacks to remain active in professional basketball.
Born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Livers emerged as one of the state’s most decorated high school players before becoming a key contributor on Michigan teams that reached the 2018 NCAA championship game and earned multiple Big Ten titles. His professional journey has included stints with the Detroit Pistons and a brief association with the Washington Wizards organization, before he signed with Phoenix in July 2025.
Early Life and Background
Isaiah Maurice Livers was born on July 28, 1998, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Angela and Morris Livers. He grew up in a household shaped by basketball, having first picked up the sport at the age of five while playing in the driveway with his father. That early bond with the game laid the foundation for a lifetime of competitive play and helped spark the discipline that would later define his career.
He attended Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, where he became one of the most decorated players in the program’s history. In 2017, Livers was named the Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year and won the Mr. Basketball of Michigan award, edging out future NBA player Xavier Tillman by a narrow 2,811 to 2,739 vote margin, the closest margin in the history of the award. Livers was the eleventh recipient of the Mr. Basketball honor in Michigan, and the first since Manny Harris in 2007, underscoring the strength of his high school résumé.
Path to Basketball
Michigan began recruiting Livers in May 2016, and he took his official visit on July 28, the same day as his birthday, ultimately earning an offer. He considered several other programs, including California, but canceled that visit and committed to the Wolverines on August 7, 2016, choosing them over Michigan State, Butler, Minnesota, California, and Boston College. Livers signed his National Letter of Intent as part of a three-scholarship incoming class that also included Jordan Poole and Eli Brooks, a group that would help shape a memorable era of Wolverines basketball.
His rapid development in high school, combined with his performance in summer showcases, convinced college coaches that he was ready for the Big Ten stage. Livers arrived in Ann Arbor as a highly ranked recruit and a two-time state player of the year, prepared to compete for meaningful minutes from his first season.
Isaiah Livers Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
As a freshman during the 2017–18 season, Livers contributed off the bench and recorded a then career-best 13 points in a win over Iowa on January 2, 2018, a performance widely viewed as his collegiate breakout. He went on to start against rival Michigan State on January 13, helping the Wolverines secure a significant road victory that helped elevate the program back into the national rankings. That season ended with Michigan reaching the 2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Game, where they fell to Villanova.
Across his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, Livers evolved into one of the most reliable shooters and versatile forwards in the Big Ten. He led the conference in three-point shooting percentage at 42.6 percent during the 2018–19 season, posted multiple double-doubles, and capped his career as a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2021.
Detroit Pistons Era (2021–2024)
The Detroit Pistons selected Livers in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft with the 42nd overall pick, and he signed with the team on August 8, 2021. A foot injury delayed his debut and caused him to miss 59 of the team’s first 60 games of his rookie season, limiting his opportunities to find a rhythm early.
Once healthy, Livers began producing for Detroit, recording 16 points against the Miami Heat on March 15, 2022, in only his tenth NBA appearance. He recorded his first career double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds on April 1, 2022, in his first NBA start against the Oklahoma City Thunder. On March 11, 2023, he posted a career high of 18 points against the Indiana Pacers, and the Pistons exercised his team option for the 2023–24 NBA season on June 29, 2023.
Washington Wizards and Injury Setback (2024)
On January 14, 2024, Livers was traded to the Washington Wizards as part of a package that included Marvin Bagley III and future draft considerations, with Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala heading to Detroit. The Wizards announced on February 26, 2024, that he would miss the remainder of the season due to joint capsule inflammation in his right hip. He was waived by the Wizards on April 5, 2024, before ever playing a game for them. On October 18, 2024, Livers underwent a hip resurfacing procedure, a major operation expected to require roughly a full year of recovery.
Phoenix Suns Era (2025–Present)
On July 8, 2025, after a long rehabilitation process, Livers signed a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns, linking him to the Valley Suns of the NBA G League. The agreement marked his return to an active NBA roster and represented a fresh start following two years of injury challenges. His role with the Suns is expected to combine G League playing time with selective NBA opportunities as he works to fully reestablish himself at the top level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Livers is recognized for his perimeter shooting, basketball intelligence, and positional versatility, allowing him to play both power forward and small forward. His ability to stretch the floor, combined with career-best rebounding and assist averages during his senior season at Michigan, reflects a player who impacts the game in multiple ways. Livers has historically shot the three-ball at a high rate and has been noted for his free-throw accuracy, having made 44 of 46 attempts during the 2019–20 season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, Livers won the 2017 Mr. Basketball of Michigan award in the closest vote in the history of the honor, led the Big Ten in three-point percentage during the 2018–19 season, and was part of the Michigan team that reached the 2018 NCAA championship game. He was also named second-team All-Big Ten in 2021, capping his college career as one of the most respected Wolverines of his era.
Isaiah Livers Career Wins
As a professional, Livers has notched double-figure scoring games against multiple NBA opponents, including career-high 18-point efforts against the Indiana Pacers. He also secured notable college achievements, including a 21-point performance in the 2019 Big Ten tournament semifinals and a 24-point outing against Houston Baptist in 2019.
NBA Highlights
In the NBA, Livers has recorded 16 points against the Miami Heat on March 15, 2022, 17 points and 11 rebounds against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 1, 2022, and a career high 18 points against the Indiana Pacers on March 11, 2023. These performances occurred during his time with the Detroit Pistons, the franchise that originally drafted him and gave him his first sustained opportunity in the league.
Other Wins and Performances
At the collegiate level, Livers’ 21-point performance against Minnesota in the 2019 Big Ten tournament semifinals stands out as one of his most impactful postseason efforts, and his 22-point game against Creighton in the 2019 Gavitt Tipoff Games helped Michigan open the season with a signature victory. These games underscored his growth into a go-to scorer for the Wolverines.
Isaiah Livers Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Isaiah Livers was raised by his parents, Morris and Angela Livers, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His father, Morris, played a formative role in his basketball development, introducing him to the game at age five and helping him build the foundation that would eventually lead to a college career at Michigan and an NBA opportunity.
Personal Life
Livers was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and his family ties to the region have remained a steady presence throughout his basketball journey. Information about a spouse or children has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a major comeback opportunity for Livers, who signed a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns on July 8, 2025, after recovering from a hip resurfacing procedure performed in October 2024. With the Valley Suns serving as his G League affiliate, he is expected to log significant minutes at that level while competing for NBA opportunities with Phoenix throughout the season.
Because of the long recovery timeline associated with his hip procedure, Livers’ early-season production is likely to be measured in incremental progress, with the franchise taking a cautious approach to his workload. His shooting, positional versatility, and Big Ten pedigree position him as a candidate to earn a more substantial role as the season progresses and his conditioning returns.
Outlook for 2025 centers on health, rhythm, and opportunity. If Livers can stay available and continue producing at the levels he reached during his standout senior season at Michigan, he has a clear pathway to becoming a consistent contributor in Phoenix’s rotation and a stabilizing presence for the Valley Suns in the G League.
