Another Big Ten champion from Michigan State has been signed to an NBA Summer League roster after going undrafted last year. Jase Richardson, Jaden Akins, Jaxon Kohler, and Carson Cooper were already on NBA Summer League rosters to no one’s surprise.
The latest Spartan to join an NBA Summer League roster is Frankie Fidler. He was playing professional basketball in Latvia after his one season at Michigan State, averaging over 20 points per game there. Fidler was really coming into his own and he’s well on his way to becoming the next Spartan to break out overseas.
It’s a little surprising to see him in the Summer League just because his lone season in East Lansing was underwhelming compared to his three seasons at Omaha. It’s also tougher for transfers to get acclimated right away in Tom Izzo’s system. We’ve seen guys struggle in their first season with the Spartans after transferring in — Trey Fort and even Joey Hauser’s first year wasn’t the best.
Now Fidler will be looking to earn his first NBA contract with a strong Summer League performance after joining the Portland Trail Blazers’ roster.
Frankie Fidler will be with the Blazers for NBA Summer League.
— Jacob Bigelow (@JacobABigelow) July 2, 2026
Fidler averaged 20.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game this past season while playing in Latvia. #nebpreps https://t.co/PuqiQmYRPM
There are some familiar names on this roster but Fidler can absolutely stand out on this team over the next couple of weeks. Their first game isn’t until July 10, but Fidler will be facing Mat Ishbia’s Phoenix Suns. Two days later, Fidler will be seeing another Spartan as the Trail Blazers will face Richardson’s Orlando Magic.
We’re getting to the point where it feels like most Summer League games are going to feature a Spartan.
Fidler is also one of several Spartans who will be facing each other over the next couple of weeks as Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper have a matchup in the not-too-distant future.
We love a good Spartan vs. Spartan showdown.
Frankie Fidler always had the talent
At Michigan State, talent was never the issue for Fidler. In my opinion, his one season in East Lansing was underwhelming because he was lacking confidence. He eventually settled in and had some big games here and there, but he needed another year in Izzo’s system to flourish.
Unfortunately, he just missed the five-year eligibility window. He would have been a perfect candidate for it and this past season’s team could have really used another offensive weapon like him.
Everywhere else that he’s gone, he’s been successful.
Fidler started his career at Omaha and he put up some impressive numbers:
- 2021-22: 12.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 48.4% FG, 42.9% 3FG
- 2022-23: 14.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 43.2% FG, 27.9% 3FG
- 2023-24: 20.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 45.2% FG, 35.6% 3FG
As you can see, he was effective and efficient at Omaha but that didn’t quite translate in his Michigan State season where he averaged just 7.0 points and 3.3 rebounds and he shot 39 percent from the floor and a fraction under 20 percent (!!) from three. He just lacked the confidence in his shot.
He’s getting another chance to make his NBA dreams come true in this year’s Summer League so we need to see more of that Omaha/Latvia version of Fidler.
I know Spartan fans will be rooting for this Big Ten champ.
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