How Michigan State basketball rookies do in 2018-19 NBA season?

By Sam Britten | Jun 15, 2019

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 17: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after a basket against the Sacramento Kings during their game at Spectrum Center on January 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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Rookie seasons are in the books and some former Michigan State basketball stars have impressed at the NBA level. How did the the rookies do?

After falling to the hands of the Syracuse Orange, Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr., and — at the time — Nick Ward, had a decision to make: Stay for another year or go pro? After some thinking, both Jackson Jr. and Bridges declared for the NBA draft. Ward declared, but eventually returned.

Neither was a big surprise, though some fans felt that there was maybe a chance one would come back. After seeing how Bridges wanted to stay a kid for a little bit longer and how badly he wanted to win a national championship, there was a teaspoon of optimism he would return.

Some might’ve thought that even Jackson Jr., the player with the highest NBA ceiling on the team, might return. His father, Jaren Jackson Sr., has financial security after some stints in the NBA, putting Jackson Jr. in a place different than some collegiate athletes that have to go pro to aid their struggling families.

Neither stayed in college, which is a fair decision taking injuries and draft stock lowering into account.

After a year in the league, how did the former Spartans do in their rookie seasons?

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