Michigan State Basketball: Constructing all-athlete team from Tom Izzo era

Small Forward

Starter: Shannon Brown
Backup: Aaron Henry

Shannon Brown gave Spartan fans a taste of what he was about to bring to East Lansing in the high school dunk contest during his senior year. He put on a show and even threw down from nearly the free throw line — he was in the same dunk contest as LeBron James.

People will remember Brown as a high-riser and whenever he was given the opportunity, he threw down over defenders and he made it look so easy.

Just watch this highlight reel with some of his best dunks (forgive the poor quality).

Brown was solid in his first two seasons and then broke out as a junior, averaging over 17 points per game, taking the Big Ten by storm. His athleticism was widely known and he took that to the next level where he showcased that alongside Kobe Bryant on the Lakers.

Aaron Henry seems to be on that same type of trajectory in a Spartan uniform, playing solid through two seasons but gearing up for a breakout as a junior.

Like Brown, too, Henry is a freak athlete who maybe doesn’t know what he’s capable of just yet. He can jump out of the gym, handle the ball and slash to the basket as well as any Spartan. in recent memory. He’ll also go down as one of the best athlete in the Tom Izzo era.