Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Every week we bring you a list of the top former Spartans players who continue their career in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced champion Bryn Forbes, a 6'3'' guard and 32-year-old Michigan State graduate from 2016, currently plays professionally in Romania. In a recent game, he led Valcea to a 92-85 victory over the closely-ranked Timisoara in the Romanian Liga Nationala Baschet de Masculin. Forbes, the finalist of the game, put on an MVP performance by scoring an impressive 35 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in just 37 minutes on the court. This outstanding display helped CS Valcea 1924 Rm Valcea, currently eighth in the league, secure the win. The Play-Out Round has already concluded, with Forbes showcasing his skills in the game against Timisoara. Forbes had a remarkable game, displaying his scoring prowess by putting up 35 points, along with contributing 6 rebounds and 2 assists. His remarkable performance led his team to victory, earning him the champion title of the game. Throughout the season, Forbes has been having a standout year with impressive statistics, averaging 18.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in the 15 games he has played so far.
#2. Matt Costello, a 6'10'' Center/Forward and 32-year-old Spartans alumnus from 2016, currently plays professionally in Spain. Recently, he made a significant impact during Valencia Basket's game against Zaragoza, one of the league's struggling teams with a 9-24 record. In this match, Costello showcased his skills by contributing 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 15 minutes of play. Valencia Basket, currently positioned fifth in the league with a record of 22-9, has only four games left in the Regular Season, making each upcoming game crucial. Costello's stellar performance against Zaragoza underscored his value as a champion player, with his efforts pivotal in securing the victory for his team. Throughout the season, he has maintained an average of 7.4 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game across 28 appearances, further solidifying his reputation as a finalist player. It's worth noting that Costello is a naturalized American, bringing his talent and expertise to the Spanish basketball league.
#3. Denzel Valentine, a 6'5'' guard/forward at 32 years old, graduated from Michigan State in 2016 and received the All-Big Ten All-Tournament MVP award that year. Currently playing professionally in Italy for Umana Reyer Venezia, he recently faced Tortona in their latest game but couldn't lead his team to victory. Despite his strong performance, Venezia suffered a heavy 89-71 defeat on the road against the lower-ranked Tortona, who held the fifth position in the standings. Valentine showcased his skills by being the top scorer for Venezia, contributing 11 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in just 16 minutes of play. This marks Valentine's debut season with the team, where he has been averaging 7.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game across 34 appearances. In the recent game against Tortona, he displayed an impressive performance with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, although it wasn't enough to secure a win for his team.
#4. Marcus Bingham Jr., a 25-year-old former Spartans alumni from the class of 2022, who currently plays professionally in Russia, showcased his skills as a standout player. In a recent game for UNICS, he was a major contributor in their victory over the closely-ranked Zenit with a score of 83-66 in the VTB United League. Bingham Jr. shined on the court, scoring an impressive 19 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and making 5 blocks in 32 minutes of play. This exciting match-up between two top 4 ranked teams highlighted Bingham Jr.'s talent and impact on the game. UNICS Kazan, currently holding the second position in the league with a record of 33-7, relied on his exceptional performance to secure the win, making him the champion of the game. Throughout the season, Bingham Jr. has consistently delivered outstanding stats, averaging 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game in the 50 games played so far. His remarkable contributions on both ends of the court have solidified his position as a key player for his team and a force to be reckoned with in the league.
#5. Mali Mady Sissoko, a 25-year-old center standing at 6'9'', graduated from California in 2025. Despite having played for Michigan St. from 2020 to 2024, he now showcases his talent playing professionally in Italy. In a recent Italian Serie A game, Sissoko led Allianz Pallacanestro Trieste to a thrilling 83-77 victory over the second-ranked Brescia, who held a 21-7 record. Sissoko's remarkable performance included scoring 15 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in just 24 minutes of play. This impressive display is even more notable as it marks Sissoko's debut season in professional basketball. Trieste currently holds the eighth position in the league standings. Sissoko's impact on the court against Brescia was undeniable, with his scoring prowess and rebounding skills pivotal in securing the win for his team. His exceptional performance exemplified the qualities of a true champion, highlighting his skills and unwavering determination. Despite this being his first year with the team, Sissoko has already made a significant mark with his contributions. Throughout the season, Sissoko has maintained solid statistics, averaging 10.4 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game, ranking him as the fourth-best rebounder in the league. His consistent performance and valuable contributions have undoubtedly solidified his position as a finalist in the league, showcasing his potential for even greater success in the future.
#6. Gabe Brown, a 6'7'' forward who is 26 years old and an alumnus of the Spartans class of 2022, is currently playing professionally in France. Recently, he showcased his talent by leading SIG Strasbourg to a hard-fought victory against the second-ranked Paris Basket with a score of 87-82 in the French Betclic ELITE. In this thrilling match, Brown delivered an impressive performance by scoring 14 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in just 29 minutes of play. His stellar contribution was crucial in securing the win for his team against Paris, highlighting his skills and leadership on the court. Brown's consistent excellence has further reinforced his reputation as a champion in the sport. Throughout the season, he has maintained solid statistics, averaging 13.7 points per game and 3.0 rebounds per game across 30 games.
#7. Travis Trice II, a 6'0'' point guard and 33-year-old Michigan State University graduate from 2015, currently plays professionally in Puerto Rico. In a recent game for Criollos de Caguas in the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional, he led his team to a decisive 99-81 victory over the sixth-ranked Piratas. Trice II showcased his skills by recording a double-double with 11 points and 15 assists, while also contributing 6 rebounds and 3 steals in just 27 minutes on the court. Notably, Trice II delivered an exceptional performance in another game against Quebradillas, where he scored 11 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished out 15 assists. His remarkable efforts were crucial in securing the win and further establishing his reputation as a champion. Throughout the season, he has consistently excelled, averaging an impressive 19.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 1.9 steals per game in 22 appearances. His strong individual performance has undoubtedly been a key factor in his team's success and his own standing as a finalist.
Other former Michigan State University players, who play in pro basketball:
Cassius Winston (6'1''-PG-1997, played in 2016-20) plays for Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in Israeli Winner League
Szymon Zapala (7'0''-C-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Trefl Sopot in Polish OBL
Kenny Goins (6'7''-PF-1996, played in 2014-14) plays for Trefl Sopot in Polish OBL
Jaren Jackson Jr. (6'11''-F/C-1999, played in 2017-18) plays for Utah Jazz in the NBA
Xavier Tillman Sr. (6'8''-F-1999, played in 2017-20) plays for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA
Jase Richardson (6'3''-G-2005, played in 2024-25) plays for Orlando Magic in the NBA
Gary Harris (6'4''-SG-1994, played in 2012-14) plays for Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA
Max Christie (6'6''-SG-2003, played in 2021-22) plays for Dallas Mavericks in the NBA
Jaden Akins (6'4''-G-2003, played in 2021-25) plays for Detroit Pistons in the NBA
Draymond Green (6'6''-F-1990, played in 2008-12) plays for Golden State Warriors in the NBA
Miles Bridges (6'7''-SF-1998, played in 2016-18) plays for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA
Gavin Schilling (6'9''-C-1995, played in 2013-16) plays for MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in German BBL
Aaron Henry (6'6''-F-1999, played in 2018-21) plays for Nagoya Diamond Dolphins in Japanese B1 League
Raymar Morgan (6'8''-F/C-1988, played in 2006-10) played for Science City Jena in German BBL few monts ago
Malik Hall (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2019-24) plays for Urban Latti Kiryat Ata in Israeli Winner League
Tyson Walker (6'1''-G-2000, played in 2021-24) plays for Melbourne United in Australian NBL
Frankie Fidler (6'7''-F-2003, played in 2024-25) plays for Rigas Zelli in Latvian LBL
A.J. Hoggard (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2020-24) plays for Raptors 905 Mississauga in the NBA G League
Joey Hauser (6'9''-F-1999, played in 2019-23) played for College Park SkyHawks in the NBA G League last year
Branden Dawson (6'7''-F-1993, played in 2011-15) played for Correcaminos UAT Victoria in Mexican LNBP last year
Nick Ward (6'10''-C/F-1997, played in 2016-19) plays for Quimper UJAP in French ProB
Jason Richardson (6'6''-G-1981, played in 1999-01) played for Chicago Triplets in the Big3 last year
Brandon Wood (6'2''-G-1989, played in 2011-12) played for Shield 219 in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Eron Harris (6'3''-G-1993, played in 2014-14) played for Lebanon Leprechauns in the TBL last year
Durrell Summers (6'5''-SF-1989, played in 2007-11) plays for Pioneros in Venezuelan SPB
Shannon Brown (6'3''-G-1985, played in 2003-06) played for Huntsville Dawgs in the NBL-US last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Michigan State University basketball alumni.
|
|
|
Ex-Players
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
