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Michigan State basketball: 5 great Spartans who didn’t live up to the NBA hype

By Mike Phillips

Denzel Valentine of the Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
Denzel Valentine of the Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball, NBA Busts
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

4. Michigan State basketball busts: Adreian Payne

One of the most recent Spartans to flop in the NBA was forward Adreian Payne. The Spartans saw Payne develop from a role player as a freshman to a star as a senior, headlined by massive improvements in his outside shot.

Payne also drew respect from Michigan State fans off the court for his friendship with Lacey Holsworth, an 8-year old cancer patient he met at a local hospital. The two texted for a few years and Payne let Holmsworth accompany him onto the court at his Senior Night as well as help cut down the nets when Michigan State won the Big Ten Tournament.

Payne boosted his stock to the point where he was a lock for the first round, getting selected 15th overall by the Atlanta Hawks. An injury derailed Payne’s rookie year, which was spent mostly in the D-League before getting traded to Minnesota for a first-round pick.

The Timberwolves couldn’t get much out of Payne, who started 24 games in three seasons as he battled injuries and spent more time in the D-League. Payne ended up signing a two-way contract with Orlando for the 2017-18 season but was waived after his name was linked to a sexual assault allegation during Payne’s time at Michigan State.

That was the last time Payne was seen in the NBA as he shifted his career overseas after the Magic released him. Payne had the potential to really be a good fit as a modern NBA big man which was never fulfilled.