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Michigan State Basketball: How good would current all-Spartan NBA team be?

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 14, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) reacts to officials during the second quarter of a game against the Toronto Raptors at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) reacts to officials during the second quarter of a game against the Toronto Raptors at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports /
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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 20: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball during the first half against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on February 20, 2020 in Sacramento, California. 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 Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 20: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball during the first half against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on February 20, 2020 in Sacramento, California. 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 Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

Jaren Jackson Jr.. player. Pick Analysis. PF/C. 211. Scouting Report. Grizzlies. C

Jaren Jackson Jr. is listed as a power forward, but with his size (6-foot-11) and length, he would likely be the center for an all-MSU NBA team.

Michigan State doesn’t exactly have a center currently in the league, so Jackson Jr. would assume that role and he’d probably be a matchup nightmare for most opposing centers. He’s an incredible athlete who can stretch the floor and score from anywhere. At Michigan State, and by Grizzlies fans, he’s known as a unicorn because talent like him doesn’t come around often.

At Michigan State, he was something fans hadn’t seen before. He was the most talented big man Tom Izzo ever coached and the NBA came calling after one season. He was picked fourth overall by the Grizzlies in 2018 and he’s arguably the Spartans’ best pro.

Right now, he’s hurt, but for the sake of this all-MSU team, we’ll just assume that all of these Spartans would be healthy. When healthy, Jackson Jr. is one of the brightest young stars in the NBA.

Jackson Jr. is coming off a career year in which he averaged 17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and shot 47 percent from the floor and 39 percent from three.

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