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Former Spartans who will play in the NBA this season

October 11, 2024

The 2024-25 NBA season is right around the corner as the first game tips off on Oct. 22.

Michigan State basketball consistently has a presence in the NBA, from legends Steve Smith and Magic Johnson to league staples Zach Randolph, Kevin Willis and Draymond Green, all the way down to role players like Xavier Tillman Sr. and Max Christie.  

Here's a look at former MSU basketball players who will play in the NBA this season. 

Draymond Green

At MSU, Green was a three-level scorer and rugged rebounder. His decade-long role with the latest NBA dynasty has molded into something entirely different.

Green has been in the NBA since 2012, when he was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the second round. Since then, he has helped Golden State to four NBA championships since 2015 alongside Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.

The four-time All-Star and 2016-2017 defensive player of the year has done a little bit of everything for the Warriors in his 12-year tenure, but hasn't come near the type of scoring numbers he reached late in his MSU career. 

Jaren Jackson Jr.

Jackson Jr. was one of the more dominant defensive players at MSU, and he only played in East Lansing for a year before going No. 4 overall to Memphis in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Almost five years later, he won the 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.  

Jackson Jr. is entering his seventh year in the NBA as he will look to help get the Memphis Grizzlies get back on track.

Last season, the Grizzlies suffered many injuries to star players, finishing 27-55 and third-to-last in the western conference. While Jackson Jr. put up a career-high 22 points per game, his defensive numbers fell as he was tasked with more offensive duties without superstar Ja Morant.

Max Christie 

The NBA potential for Max Christie has always been there, even if it didn't always show at MSU.

Christie is entering his third year in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers. Last year was a step-up for Christie compared to his rookie year as he improved in points, rebounds and assists and looked more comfortable on the court.

His play earned him a contract extension with the Lakers this offseason worth four years, $32 million. 

Gary Harris 

One of MSU's best two-way players has now been in the NBA for ten seasons.

Gary Harris is entering his fourth season with the Orlando Magic after being traded to Denver during the 2020-2021 season. Orlando is a young team led by star power forward Paolo Banchero, looking to compete for a championship. Harris has played quality minutes for the Magic and is a key player off the bench as a three-and-D guy. Last year, Harris averaged seven points per game while shooting 37% from beyond the arc.

Xavier Tillman Sr.

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Tillman Sr. joined Green as a former MSU basketball player to win a championship after coming off the bench for the Celtics last season.

Tillman was a crucial piece of MSU's latest Final Four run in 2019, pairing up with Cassius Winston to take down a loaded Duke team in the Elite Eight. He was the quintessential paint presence under head coach Tom Izzo.

Tillman was a trade deadline acquisition for Boston as Memphis traded him for Lamar Stevens and two second-round picks. With the Celtics, Tillman averaged four points and three rebounds per game while playing his role in interior defense. During the offseason, Tillman signed a two-year contract to stay with the Celtics.

Miles Bridges

Bridges was drafted 12th overall to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2018 but was quickly traded to the Hornets and has been in Charlotte ever since.

Bridges has played five seasons with the Hornets, missing the 2022-2023 season due to off the court issues. Last season, he posted career highs with 21 points per game and seven rebounds per game.

While the Hornets were one of the worst teams in the league last season, Bridges was a bright spot. His play earned him an extension with the Hornets worth three years, $75 million.

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