Michigan State Basketball: Top performers from 2019 NBA Summer League
By Ryan Kay
Here is a look at the top Michigan State Basketball performers from the recent NBA Summer League play. Which Spartans played the best?
In the mist of summer with many people going on vacations, attending graduation parties, or keeping busy with home projects, it is very feasible that many college basketball fans are unaware of how their favorite former collegiate players did in the NBA summer league in Las Vegas.
For many of these players who in the NBA summer league, it was their opportunity to showcase their talents in hopes of making a NBA roster in the fall. If they fail to do so, many will have to choose between playing in the NBA G League or getting more money by playing overseas.
Michigan State Basketball in particular had some former Spartans participant in summer league action. With the exception of Miles Bridges, they are hoping to earn a spot on a NBA roster this upcoming season. Here is a look at some highlights and perspective on how well they did.
4. Kenny Goins
After a stellar senior season, Goins signed on to play on the Denver Nuggets which has a rising star in former Spartan Gary Harris. Even though Kenny didn’t get a lot of playing time, he did end summer league with his best game.
https://twitter.com/nuggets/status/1150233667890868229?s=19
Best Game: 8 points shooting 2-for-4 from three point range, 2 assists, a steal, and a rebound in the last game for the Nuggets in summer league play.
3. Nick Ward
After his junior season did not go as plan due to an injury he suffered, Ward decided to declare for the NBA draft rather than come back to Michigan State for his senior season. Even though he did not get drafted, he agreed to play on the Atlanta Hawk summer league team. He started over half of the games and he looked the part by having some big moments.
https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1149896771406987264?s=19
"not tonight." - nick ward (probably) pic.twitter.com/qWrOK4Y2Ni
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) July 13, 2019
Our guy @IamNickWard gettin’ it done with the double-double last night for the @ATLHawks in the W!#SpartanDawg pic.twitter.com/psdC1oEuBa
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) July 13, 2019
Best Game: 16 points, four for eight from the field, eight for ten from the free throw line, 13 rebounds, three blocks and one steal leading the Hawks’ to a win over the Spurs
2. Matt Costello
Having played in the NBA G League for the majority of last season after graduating from Michigan State and going undrafted in the NBA Draft, Costello agreed to play on the Detroit Pistons summer league team and he was a starter and played well for the vast majority of summer league play.
https://twitter.com/MSU_Basketball/status/1149380532662202369?s=19
Svi and Matt Costello with a perfect pick and roll.#PistonsNow x @RocketFiber pic.twitter.com/V0mDIB0RtX
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) July 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/MSU_Basketball/status/1148560275500437504?s=19
Best Game: 20 points with eight rebounds on six for seven shooting from the floor to help the Pistons defeat the Pacers in Summer League play.
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1. Miles Bridges
After leaving Michigan State his sophomore year, Miles Bridges was drafted as a lottery pick by the Charlotte Hornets. He didn’t have to play in this summer league like how another former Spartan and lottery pick Jaren Jackson of the Memphis Grizzlies chose to observe from the stands. Bridges however decided to play and he was dominate and put on a highlight reel at times.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1150152261953368066?s=19
https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/1148040671166529536?s=19
https://twitter.com/MSU_Basketball/status/1148228422331555841?s=19
Best Game: 23 points, seven rebounds and three steals in a loss to the Spurs.