Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Spartans alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. 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, showcased his skills in a recent Basketball Champions League game in Turkey. Playing for Trabzonspor Basketbol, the team emerged victorious with a decisive 100-83 win over Sabah, a closely-ranked opponent with a 0-2 record. Tillman Sr. played a key role in the game, scoring 10 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, distributing 4 assists, and blocking 2 shots in 24 minutes of play. The matchup was highly anticipated, as it featured two top 4 ranked teams battling for supremacy in the league. With this win, Trabzonspor Basketbol, currently boasting a 2-0 record, solidified their position at the top of the standings. As the Basketball Champions League Regular Season nears its conclusion, every remaining game holds significant importance for the teams vying for the championship title. This marks Tillman Sr.'s debut season with Trabzonspor Basketbol, and he has already made a strong impression with his impressive performances on the court. His season averages of 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game demonstrate his valuable contributions to the team. In the recent game against Sabah, his exceptional performance was instrumental in securing the victory, establishing him as the champion of the game.
#2. Marcus Bingham Jr., a 7'0'' forward and Spartans alum from 2022, is currently playing professionally in Turkey. In a recent Euroleague game, Bingham Jr. was instrumental in Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul's 74-65 victory over the 11th-ranked Partizan. Despite scoring only 4 points, he showcased his skills as a dominant force on the court by grabbing 9 rebounds and blocking 5 shots in just 22 minutes of play. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, with a record of 5-1, currently holds the third position in the league standings. As the season is still in its early stages, there is much anticipation for what the future holds for the team. This marks Bingham Jr.'s debut season with the squad, and his performance against Partizan highlighted his potential as a key player. With an average of 9.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game in his five appearances this season, Bingham Jr. is proving to be a standout finalist on the court.
#3. Experienced champion Denzel Valentine, a 6'5'' guard/forward who is 32 years old and graduated from Michigan St. in 2016, is currently playing professionally in Italy. In Udine's recent game against Dolomiti Trentino, despite Valentine's outstanding performance, Udine suffered a 66-74 defeat at home to the fourth-ranked team in the league. Valentine showcased his skills by scoring 15 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and providing 4 assists in a 30-minute display on the court. Throughout the season, Valentine has been a standout player, averaging impressive stats of 16.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in the three games he has participated in so far. Despite his individual success, he continues to strive for victory with his team in each match, aiming to lead Udine to success as a finalist.
#4. Aaron Henry, a 27-year-old 6'6'' forward and Spartans alum from 2021, currently plays professionally in Japan. In a recent game, he led the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins to a 90-78 victory over the 13th-ranked Robots, scoring 19 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists in just 26 minutes of play. His stellar performance on the court helped secure the team's win and solidified their position as a finalist in the Japanese B.League. The Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, with a current record of 5-0, hold the second spot in the Western Conference standings. They have maintained a perfect record in the Regular Season thus far, with Henry playing a significant role in their success. Henry's individual performance this season has been exceptional, boasting an average of 19.8 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists per game, and leading the league with 2.6 steals per game in the five games he has played. His contributions both offensively and defensively have been instrumental in the team's success, showcasing his prowess as a champion player in the league.
#5. Gabe Brown, a 6'7'' forward who graduated from Michigan State in 2022, is currently playing professionally in Turkey. Recently, he played a crucial role in Tofas Bursa's victory over the closely-ranked Buducnost in a BKT Eurocup game. Despite tough competition, Tofas Bursa emerged victorious with a score of 90-85, thanks in part to Brown's impressive contribution. In the game, he scored 9 points in 24 minutes of play and also secured 1 rebound. This match was highly anticipated as it featured two top 4 ranked teams facing off. Tofas Bursa, with a current record of 3-0, is positioned second in the league standings. Brown's team has been performing exceptionally well in the Regular Season, winning all three games played so far. Brown's individual statistics reflect his valuable impact on the team's success. With an average of 9.3 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, and 2.0 steals per game (ranking fourth in the league), he has been a key player for Tofas Bursa. His stellar performance against Buducnost not only helped secure a victory but also showcased his skills on the court, ultimately leading his team to triumph as the champion.
#6. Nick Ward, a 29-year-old center/forward and Spartans alumnus from the class of 2019, played a crucial role in helping his team achieve the title of Big Ten Regular Season Co-Champion that year. Currently, he is showcasing his skills as a professional basketball player in Mexico. Recently, he led Santos de San Luis Potosi to a resounding victory over the closely-ranked Abejas, with a dominating scoreline of 106-82 in the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional, which is the second division league in Mexico. In a standout performance on Sunday night, Ward was named the MVP of the game after scoring 22 points, securing 7 rebounds, and contributing 1 assist in just 24 minutes of play. His impressive statistics for the season speak volumes about his talent and contribution to the team. With an average of 13.9 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game (ranking him as the fourth best in the league) across 19 games, Ward has consistently demonstrated his prowess on the court. His exceptional performance against the Abejas not only highlighted his skills but also solidified his reputation as a true champion in the world of basketball.
#7. Kenny Goins, a 30-year-old power forward standing at 6'7'' who graduated from Michigan State in 2019 after helping them secure the Big Ten Regular Season Co-Champion title, currently plays professionally in Poland. In a recent game in the Polish Orlen Basket Liga against closely-ranked Stal, Goins made a significant impact on his team's easy 81-65 victory on Monday night. During the game, Goins showcased his prowess on the court by scoring 10 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and making 2 blocks in 30 minutes of play. His valuable contributions, including scoring points, securing rebounds, and defensive plays, were instrumental in his team's success against Stal. His performance highlighted his capabilities as a champion player who rises to the occasion when it matters most. Throughout this season, Goins has been maintaining an average of 5.0 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, and 1.5 assists per game across two games. His consistency and all-around skills continue to make him a key player for his team as they strive for success in the league.
#8. Cassius Winston, a 6'1'' point guard and 29-year-old Spartans alum from 2020, currently plays professionally in Lithuania. Recently, Winston, a USBWA All-District V Team awardee, competed against JSF Nanterre but could not lead Rytas to victory. In that game, he contributed 5 points and 7 assists in 21 minutes of play, as his team suffered a 28-point defeat with a final score of 93-65. Despite the loss, Winston showcased his skills by scoring 5 points, securing 1 rebound, and distributing 7 assists against Nanterre. This season, Winston has been averaging 4.5 points per game and 5.5 assists per game over two matches.
#9. Malik Hall, a 6'8'' forward who graduated from Michigan State in 2024 and received an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention award, currently plays professionally in Israel. In his first game for H.HaEmek, despite his standout performance, the team was narrowly defeated 86-85 by the higher-ranked Kiryat Ata, who holds the #4 position. Hall showcased his skills by scoring 15 points, securing 9 rebounds, and providing 2 assists in 28 minutes of play. Despite his contributions, H.HaEmek was unable to secure the victory in this closely contested match.
#10. Frankie Fidler, a 6'7'' forward and 23-year-old Spartans alumni from the class of 2025, was instrumental in helping them secure the Big Ten Regular Season Champion title that year. Currently playing professionally in Azerbaijan, Fidler recently faced off against the aforementioned Xavier Tillman Sr. in the Basketball Champions League. In a recent game, Fidler, despite his notable performance, was unable to lead Sabah to victory as they suffered a tough 100-83 loss on the road against the formidable Trabzon team. Fidler emerged as the second-highest scorer for his team, putting up 17 points while also contributing 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals in 34 minutes of play. Impressively, he was perfect from the free-throw line, going 6-for-6. Throughout the season, Fidler has been showcasing his skills with impressive statistics, averaging 18.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 steals per game over two matches. Despite his individual success, Fidler's team has faced challenges, including the recent defeat to Trabzon, where his stellar performance was not enough to secure a victory for Sabah.
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
Mady Sissoko (6'9''-C-2000, played in 2020-24) signed for Besiktas Fibabanka Istanbul in Turkish BSL
Max Christie (6'6''-SG-2003, played in 2021-22) plays for Dallas Mavericks in the NBA
Miles Bridges (6'7''-SF-1998, played in 2016-18) signed for Phoenix Suns in the NBA
Draymond Green (6'6''-F-1990, played in 2008-12) plays for Golden State Warriors 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
Jaren Jackson Jr. (6'11''-F/C-1999, played in 2017-18) plays for Utah Jazz in the NBA
Matt Costello (6'10''-C/F-1993, played in 2012-16) signed for Chiba Jets in Japanese B.Premier League
Bryn Forbes (6'3''-G-1993, played in 2014-16) played for Valcea in Romanian Liga Nationala
Tyson Walker (6'1''-PG-2000, played in 2021-24) signed for JL Bourg en Bresse in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Szymon Zapala (6'11''-C-2001, played in 2024-25) plays for Energa Trefl Sopot in Polish OBL
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
Jaden Akins (6'4''-G-2003, played in 2021-25) played for New York Knicks in the NBA Summer League
Durrell Summers (6'5''-SF-1989, played in 2007-11) played for Pioneros in Venezuelan LSB
Jaxon Kohler (6'9''-F-2003, played in 2022-26) played for Utah Jazz in the NBA Summer League
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
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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