The four seniors on the MSU men’s basketball team will be honored before Sunday’s regular season finale against Purdue for their contributions to the program.
Three of them caught up with The State News to share their fondest memories from on and off the court.
Marquise Gray
Known for his high-flying dunks and incredible athleticism, “Quise” will become the latest “Flintstone” to kiss the block ‘S’ at half court on Sunday. Gray came to MSU out of Flint Beecher High as a five-star recruit, according to recruiting Web site Rivals.com, but an array of injuries slowed the 6-foot-8 senior forward down, limiting him to career averages of 4.4 points and four rebounds a game for his career, entering Sunday. Even with all the hardships he’s faced, Gray said he’ll always cherish his time in East Lansing.
Favorite memory:
“Now, right here. Being the Big Ten champions. I’ve been part of, you know, a championship team.”
Favorite head coach Tom Izzo story:
“When I was being recruited, when I first committed, he told me if I got anything below a C on my report card in high school he was going to take my scholarship away. It just so happened that I’m not very good at math and I had a very hard math class in high school and I failed it. I called him up and I was crying and he was like, ‘It’s all right.’ As a matter of fact, I got all As and an E.”
How he wants to be remembered:
“A guy who would do anything for his teammates, worked hard, basically a guy that wanted it and could dunk the ball.”
Idong Ibok
A 6-foot-11 shot blocker out of Lagos, Nigeria, Ibok has created an extended family during his five years in East Lansing. Despite not seeing his family in six years, “I.D.” has continued to work hard both on and off the court while also studying as a graduate student in the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Retailing.
Describe your career in one or so words:
“Exhilarating journey.”
Favorite moment:
“I have a lot of them — 2005 when we won that game in Texas that put us in the Final Four was unbelievable and I want to experience that again. I was a redshirt that year and wasn’t able to play, but to be part of that Final Four experience was one of my best memories at Michigan State.”
What he’ll miss the most:
“Everything. Maybe not the practices. I will sometimes, but mostly the players, past and present, it was kind of the family bond. For me, being so far away from home, it’s kind of like a family here, so leaving here would be like leaving part of my extended family again. I will miss the guys here, the coaching staff, the athletic trainers but mostly the players.”
How he wants to be remembered:
“I want people to remember me as a great guy who was accountable and did something he was supposed to do — did a lot of stuff and blocked a lot of shots.”
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Travis Walton
Known throughout his career as a tenacious defender and consummate leader, Walton will be a player who will be discussed around these parts for years to come. A lightly recruited player out of Lima, Ohio, Walton carved a niche as a defensive stopper who was often paired against the opposing team’s best player. This year, he’s considered one of the favorites to win Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Although he never emerged into an offensive threat, his scoring production has improved, and he’s always been a strong playmaker.
Favorite memory:
“When we beat Wisconsin (two years ago) when everybody was kind of looking past us and saying this was just a game to get (Wisconsin) ready for Ohio State. Drew (Neitzel) had a great game, I had a great game and we upset them.”
Favorite Izzo moment:
“It’s sad to say, but I’d probably say this year when we were losing against I think Penn State and he fell on the court and he slipped on the court during the game. That was one of the funniest coach Izzo moments.”
How he wants to be remembered:
“Just as a hard-nosed person that gave everything. If it was emotional support, leadership or whatever.”
