The long wait for Carson Cooper is officially over.
The former Michigan State big man — which feels really weird to say — has signed his first NBA contract just hours after going undrafted on Wednesday night.
The organization that the former IMG Academy B-teamer just signed a two-way contract with is notorious for taking chances on Michigan State players. During the pre-draft process, fellow Michigan State big man Jaxon Kohler actually worked out with this organization.
On Wednesday night, the Memphis Grizzlies signed Cooper to a two-way contract.
Michigan State center Carson Cooper has agreed to a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies per @BillyReinhardt pic.twitter.com/Kj7bXT504j
— Michigan State Hoops (@michsthoops) June 25, 2026
This is actually a great deal for Cooper because it means that Memphis is going to split Cooper between the NBA roster and the Grizzlies’ G-League affiliate. This is a more solidified contract than just a training camp invite or Summer League offer. From the looks of it, Memphis believed heavily in Cooper and they’re now offering him a chance to prove himself this season.
This is a well-earned spot for the Michigan State big man after he broke out during his senior season with the Spartans. He had an excellent Michigan State career after starting out as a zero-star recruit.
Cooper’s development is going to be forever touted as one of the most impressive jobs that Izzo has ever done. The only thing he probably wishes he did differently with Cooper is probably utilizing a redshirt during his freshman season.
It doesn’t much matter because Cooper has now signed his first NBA deal.
He’s now the latest Spartan big man to join the Grizzlies, following the footsteps of Zach Randolph, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Xavier Tillman.
Carson Cooper’s rise is a Hollywood script
We’ve heard it before, but watching Cooper go from a no-star B-teamer at IMG Academy to a borderline All-Big Ten big man as a senior has been fun. Now he’s off to the NBA after signing a two-way deal with the Grizzlies. The rise of Cooper from where he started has been incredible to watch.
You honestly can’t write a better script than that.
Cooper grew up watching Michigan State and idolizing Tom Izzo and after going under-recruited, he decided to commit and sign late in the 2022 class. He went from lightly-used end-of-bench big man to a starter on a 27-win Big Ten team that made the Sweet 16.
The Jackson-native won a Big Ten title, started dozens of games, and became one of the better post defenders in the conference under Izzo’s tutelage. Now he’s going to play in the NBA.
There better be a documentary made about this journey.
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