Michigan State Basketball: 4 former Spartans primed for NBA success
By Carlos Araoz
A handful of former Michigan State basketball stars are primed for NBA success, starting in the 2020-21 season. Who are they?
Michigan State currently has eight of its former collegiate standouts on NBA rosters heading into the opening week of the 2020-21 NBA season. That speaks to the ability of Tom Izzo, his staff and system for the way they are able to teach and develop.
A few of them are stuck behind NBA studs for the time being, which restricts their ability to be major contributors.
Shooting guard Denzel Valentine is in the shadow of Chicago’s human highlight reel Zach LaVine (a two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion). LaVine has evolved into more than just a dynamic dunker. He broke out two years ago with the Bulls to average 23.7 points per game only to top that by averaging 25.5 points per game last season.
Cassius Winston will be learning under superstar Russell Westbrook (a nine-time all star and prior league MVP) in Washington. A “walking triple-double”, Westbrook still has a handful of good years left in the tank and he’s as ferocious and explosive as they come. Winston is in line for the point guard apprenticeship of a lifetime as he can study one of the all-time great floor generals.
Bryn Forbes left San Antonio this past offseason to join Giannis and the Bucks. Jrue Holiday stands in his way of a starting nod for Forbes at the two. Holiday is one of the best two-way guards in the entire league (he’s been named to the all-NBA defensive team twice and also has an all-star nod to his name). The past three seasons saw Holiday average 19.8 points per game and dish out just under seven assists per contest. He’s the roadblock to Forbes seeing heavy minutes in Milwaukee.
As another NBA season is set to kickoff tonight, let’s take a look at which former Spartans are in the best situations to find success with their respective franchises.