Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC We bring you last week's top former Spartans players who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Experienced champion Denzel Valentine, a 6'5'' guard/forward aged 32 who graduated from Michigan State in 2016 and received the All-Big Ten All-Tournament MVP award that year, currently plays professionally in Italy. In a recent match, he played a pivotal role in Udine's dominant 87-63 victory over the 13th-ranked Scafati (0-1) in the Italian Serie A. Valentine showcased his talent by scoring 17 points, pulling down 6 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists in just 28 minutes of gameplay, marking an impressive debut for Udine this season. Despite being at an early stage of the season, Valentine's team currently holds the sixth position in the league standings. However, as the season progresses, the rankings are subject to change, and anything can unfold in the competitive landscape of the Italian Serie A. Valentine's stellar performance against Scafati highlighted his exceptional skills and unwavering determination, ultimately leading his team to be crowned as the champion in that game. His contributions were instrumental in securing the victory, showcasing his prowess on the court and solidifying his status as a champion.
#2. Gabe Brown, a 26-year-old former Spartans alumni from 2022 standing at 6'7'' and currently playing professionally in Turkey, showcased his talent as a basketball player during a recent game. In a thrilling match against the sixth-ranked Chemnitz (0-1) in the BKT Eurocup, he proved to be a major contributor in Tofas Bursa's impressive 82-69 victory on Tuesday night. Despite it being his first game for Tofas Bursa this season, Gabe recorded 12 points and 5 rebounds in just 22 minutes of play. His remarkable performance not only helped secure the win for his team but also highlighted his skills on the court. This outstanding display of talent further cements Gabe Brown's position as a champion in the world of basketball. Additionally, with his team currently placed second in the league, Gabe's contributions are crucial in their pursuit of success in the competition.
#3. Xavier Tillman Sr., a 6'8'' center/forward who graduated from Michigan State in 2020 and received the All-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award that year, currently plays professionally in Turkey. In a recent game, he played a crucial role in Trabzonspor Basketbol's 82-76 victory over the 11th-ranked Bursaspor. Despite it being his first game of the season for Trabzonspor Basketbol, Tillman recorded 9 points and 2 blocks in just 20 minutes of play, showcasing his defensive prowess and scoring ability. Against Bursaspor, Tillman impressed with 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist, demonstrating his versatility on the court. This stellar performance played a vital part in his team's success, underscoring why he is considered a champion in the sport. Trabzonspor Basketbol currently holds the seventh spot in the league standings, and with Tillman's contribution, they aim to climb higher and compete for the championship title.
#4. Marcus Bingham Jr., a towering 7'0'' forward and 26-year-old Spartans alumnus from the class of 2022, showcased his skills on the basketball court when he received the NABC-Reese Division I College All-Star Game (West Team) award in that same year. Currently playing professionally in Turkey, he recently led his Turkish team, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, to a resounding victory over the tenth-ranked Bayern Muenchen with a dominant scoreline of 100-76 in the Euroleague. This impressive performance occurred during his debut game of the season for Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, where he notably contributed 12 points within just 16 minutes of play. Despite it being his first year with the team, Bingham Jr. displayed remarkable talent and skill against Bayern, recording 12 points and 3 rebounds to help secure the win for his team. His exceptional performance was instrumental in guiding Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul to success, propelling them towards their goal of becoming the champion in the league. As a key player for his team, Bingham Jr.'s impact on the court was undeniable, showcasing his potential as a standout finalist in the league.
#5. Aaron Henry, a 6'6'' forward who graduated from Michigan State in 2021, is currently playing professionally in Japan. In a recent game, he led the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins to a 90-78 victory over the 13th-ranked Brave Thunders. Henry's exceptional performance earned him the title of MVP in the game, as he scored 21 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, dished out 5 assists, and added 3 steals in just 32 minutes on the court. His stellar contributions were instrumental in securing the win for his team, showcasing his skills and determination as a champion. With this victory, the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins improved their record to 2-0 and currently hold the second position in the Western Conference. Henry's individual performance has been outstanding this season, as he maintains impressive averages of 20.0 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, 3.0 assists per game, and 4.0 steals per game (leading the league in steals) in the two games he has played so far. His consistent and high-level play has undoubtedly established him as a standout finalist in the league.
#6. Tyson Walker, a 26-year-old point guard standing at 6'1" and an alumnus of Spartans from 2024 who was honored with the All-Big Ten Second Team award that year, currently plays professionally in France. In the recent game for JL Bourg en Bresse, despite his notable efforts, the team couldn't secure a victory, falling short to Napoli with a score of 76-84 on the road. Walker, the standout performer of the match, showcased his skills by scoring 20 points, contributing 3 assists, and making an impressive 6 steals in 35 minutes of play. This game marked his debut for JL Bourg en Bresse this season, where he displayed his scoring prowess and playmaking abilities. Despite his remarkable performance, the team was unable to clinch the win, ultimately resulting in a defeat. Walker's talent and contributions on the court were evident, establishing him as a key player for JL Bourg en Bresse in their pursuit of success in the league.
#7. Cassius Winston, a 6'1'' point guard who graduated from Michigan State in 2020 and currently plays professionally in Lithuania, showcased his skills as a champion in a recent game. He played a pivotal role in his team's dominant 107-66 victory over the closely-ranked Sharks in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup. Winston's performance was outstanding, scoring 10 points and delivering 6 assists in just 21 minutes of play. In another game against Shanghai S., Winston continued to shine on the court, contributing 10 points, 1 rebound, and 6 assists to lead his team to victory. His consistent and impactful play highlighted his capabilities as a finalist. Throughout the season, Winston has been maintaining solid averages of 7.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in three appearances.
#8. Nick Ward, a 29-year-old former Spartans alum from 2019, played a crucial role in helping his team clinch the Big Ten Regular Season Co-Champion title that year. Currently, Ward is showcasing his skills as a professional basketball player in Mexico, where he competes for Santos de San Luis Potosi. In a recent game against closely-ranked Abejas, Ward displayed his prowess on the court, contributing significantly to his team's narrow 87-86 victory. Despite only playing for 17 minutes, Ward managed to score an impressive 11 points, grab 3 rebounds, and dish out 1 assist. His outstanding performance not only secured the win for his team but also reinforced his reputation as a true champion. Throughout the season, Ward has maintained solid statistics, averaging 13.8 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per game, ranking fourth best in the league. His consistent contributions on the court reflect his skill and determination, further establishing him as a formidable finalist in the league.
#9. Frankie Fidler, a 6'7'' forward aged 23 who graduated from Michigan State in 2025 after helping them secure the Big Ten Regular Season Champion title, currently plays professionally in Azerbaijan. In a recent game for Sabah against the Lions, an Azerbaijani Azerbaijan Basketball League rival, Fidler made a significant impact. He played a pivotal role in leading Sabah to an 84-74 victory in a derby match on Wednesday night. Recording 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist in 32 minutes of play, Fidler showcased his talent and versatility on the court. This performance marked his debut game for Sabah this season, and his contributions were crucial in securing the win for his team. Fidler's exceptional skills and remarkable display of athleticism were instrumental in the team's success on the court, highlighting his potential as a standout player in the league.
Other former Michigan State University players, who play in pro basketball:
Gavin Schilling (6'9''-C-1995, played in 2013-16) played for MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in German BBL
Draymond Green (6'6''-F-1990, played in 2008-12) plays for Golden State Warriors in the NBA
Max Christie (6'6''-SG-2003, played in 2021-22) plays for Dallas Mavericks in the NBA
Gary Harris (6'4''-SG-1994, played in 2012-14) signed for Detroit Pistons in the NBA
Jase Richardson (6'3''-G-2005, played in 2024-25) signed for Orlando Magic in the NBA
Miles Bridges (6'7''-SF-1998, played in 2016-18) signed for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
Jaren Jackson Jr. (6'11''-F/C-1999, played in 2017-18) plays for Utah Jazz in the NBA
Mady Sissoko (6'9''-C-2000, played in 2020-24) signed for Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul in Turkish BSL
Matt Costello (6'10''-C/F-1993, played in 2012-16) signed for Chiba Jets in Japanese B.Premier League
Kenny Goins (6'7''-PF-1996, played in 2014-14) signed for Gornik Zamek Ksiaz Walbrzych in Polish OBL
Szymon Zapala (7'0''-C-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Energa Trefl Sopot in Polish OBL
Malik Hall (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2019-24) signed for H.HaEmek in Israeli Winner League
Bryn Forbes (6'3''-G-1993, played in 2014-16) played for Valcea in Romanian Liga Nationala
Travis Trice II (6'0''-PG-1993, played in 2011-15) plays for Criollos de Caguas in Puerto Rican BSN
A.J. Hoggard (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2020-24) played for Toronto Raptors in the NBA Summer League
Durrell Summers (6'5''-SF-1989, played in 2007-11) played for Pioneros in Venezuelan LSB
Brandon Wood (6'2''-G-1989, played in 2011-12) plays for Da Nang Dragons in Vietnamese VBA
Carson Cooper (6'11''-C-2004, played in 2022-26) played for Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Summer League
Jaxon Kohler (6'9''-F-2003, played in 2022-26) played for Utah Jazz in the NBA Summer League
Jaden Akins (6'4''-G-2003, played in 2021-25) played for New York Knicks in the NBA Summer League
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Michigan State University basketball alumni.
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Ex-Players
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