Michigan State Basketball: 3 undrafted players invited to 2019 Summer League

After all three former Michigan State Basketball players went undrafted, the next option was for all three to sign with a NBA team to be included on their summer league roster. The good news was that they all landed on a NBA summer league roster.

Nick Ward, after leaving college earlier agrees to join the Atlanta Hawks Summer League team. Ward was the only Michigan State Basketball player eligible for the NBA draft with a year of collegiate eligibility left. Some would argue that if he had stayed another year with the Spartans, he may have put himself in better position to be drafted in the 2020 NBA Draft.

However, there are no guarantees and Ward felt that his time for NBA aspirations is now not a year from now. The Hawks are a young team that is still in the rebuild process so there is a slight chance that Ward makes the training camp roster. His junior year before he got hurt, ran well in transition and was able to make a long-range shot or two.

However, he is a little undersized for the modern-day NBA forward and may not posses the athleticism and outside shooting ability needed to be the desired stretch four which is becoming more and more popular in the NBA today.

After an impressive pre-draft work out with the Pistons, it was not a surprise that Matt McQuaid signed on to play for Detroit’s summer league team. He is not a high volume scorer and therefore it was not a surprise that he was not drafted. He may not get the coveted 14th or 15th spot on the Pistons opening night roster but he could be one of two players the Pistons sign on a two-way contract where time is split between the NBA G League affiliate team and the Pistons.

McQuaid is a quality defender and has length to guard a small forward in the NBA. He also has the ability to play 8-10 minutes a game and hit a three or two off of the bench. Time will tell but if he has an impressive summer league and if he does, he will have an opportunity to play in the NBA come October and November.

Kenny Goins is a great story; as a former walk-on to a full-time starter to the player who hit the game winning three pointer over Zion Williams in the NCAA Tournament to get Michigan State to the Final Four. At  6-foot-7 and 230-pounds, he could play the three or four position in the NBA. Unlike the situations of his former teammates, Denver is a ready to compete now for a NBA championship. It may be more difficult for him to make a roster built now to win as opposed to a team that is rebuilding. Goins if he doesn’t get a training day invite can play in the G League or sign with a team overseas.

For all three players, an attainable goal would be similar to a former Spartans accession to the NBA. Bryn Forbes was undrafted like Ward, McQuaid, and Goins. Forbes also signed to play on a NBA Summer League roster. The San Antonio Spurs were impressed with his play and earned an opening day roster spot. He played most of his rookie season in the NBA Development League but after his rookie year had a stellar summer league going into his second year. Forbes has continued to develop and is entering his fourth year in the league is a main stay for the Spurs. If all goes well Ward, Goins, or McQuaid can earn their way on a NBA roster.