Michigan State Basketball: An open letter to Miles Bridges

Miles Bridges has declared for the 2018 NBA Draft and Michigan State basketball will have a different look next season.

Miles, you may not know this, but you’ve changed this Michigan State program forever. You sacrificed so much for your teammates, coaches and fans and ultimately came up short of your goals, but you’ve left a lasting legacy in East Lansing.

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No, you’re not going to be compared to Magic Johnson, in terms of legacy, but what you did for this program is nothing short of inspiring.

Although opposing fans will bring up the two second-round exits when talking about your time in East Lansing, or 1-3 record versus Michigan, but it was the way you carried yourself that makes Spartans everywhere proud to have watched you play.

You were a class act on and off the court and never had bad things to say about anything or anyone. You were the ultimate teammates, always looking to get others involved and picking them up when they may have been down. You were a great leader, whether people realize it or not.

Not many kids can come in as five-star recruits with instant lottery pick potential and be as humble as you were. You could have scored 30 points and after the game, you’d talk about your teammates. You were the ultimate team player, something that’s refreshing to see nowadays.

Although you didn’t come back to lose in the second round or twice to your top rival, you took the chance and passed up millions of dollars. You became a selfless hero to thousands of Spartan fans.

It was time to move on after the Syracuse loss and even though many were in denial of your inevitable departure, you’ve made it public and, although expected, it feels like a part of Michigan State basketball has died.

Your legacy will live on in your teammates, though. You can bet they want to bring home a national title to complete the mission you started. If they do, you might be the first person Tom Izzo thanks.

When you gathered fans around the Spartan Statue last spring to announce your return, you sacrificed everything. You proved that you were human and you actually liked being in college, no matter how much money was on the table in the NBA just waiting for you.

You’re a role model to all young athletes and Michigan State may never see another player like you.

Thanks for the memories, the great dunks, the mean mug, the lofty goals and the gracious attitude. You will be forever missed in the green and white.

Signed,
Spartan Nation

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