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Michigan State basketball: Ranking the 8 best Spartans in the NBA today

By Anthony Brown

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 03: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors talks talks to the fans during his college jersey retirement at a game between the Duke Blue Devils and Michigan State Spartans at the Breslin Center on December 03, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Duke won the game 87-75. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 03: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors talks talks to the fans during his college jersey retirement at a game between the Duke Blue Devils and Michigan State Spartans at the Breslin Center on December 03, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Duke won the game 87-75. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball
Michigan State guard Cassius Winston (5) and forward Gabe Brown celebrate the 80-69 win against Ohio State on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at the Breslin Center. Michigan State /

Michigan State basketball propels its players to the NBA. Who are the best Spartans in today’s game?

Michigan State basketball has had quite a few players come out of their program and be successful NBA players.

During Tom Izzo’s tenure as head coach, 18 NBA Draft picks total came from Michigan State, 11 first-round picks, and one top-five pick (Jason Richardson, fifth overall in 2001).

Players know that Michigan State is an excellent program with a Hall of Famer. The Spartans have been a top dog in the Big Ten conference for the last 20 years.

They have been a constant in the NCAA Tournament in that span with eight Final Fours and two National Championship appearances (1999-2000 National Champion).

Who is the best Michigan State basketball product in the NBA today?

player. 486. Michigan State Bio. Point Guard. Pick Analysis. Michigan State 2016-2019. Cassius Winston. 8

Cassius Winston was the consummate floor general

Cassius Winston was arguably the best point guard to play for Michigan State basketball in the modern era. He finished his career averaging 12.9 points per game, 6.6 assists and shot above 40 percent from the field and perimeter.

The former Big Ten Player of the Year and two-time consensus All-American was drafted 53rd overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2020 NBA Draft and traded to the Washington Wizards.

He gets the eighth spot on this list because he’s a rookie, but I like his potential to have a long career as a pass-first point guard. He got some major praise from the No. 1 player on this list who called him the steal of the 2020 NBA Draft.

486. Pick Analysis. Forward. Michigan State 2017-2019. Xavier Tillman Sr.. Xavier Tillman Sr. Michigan State bio. 7. player

Xavier Tillman was a defensive stopper

Xavier Tillman Sr. made his mark on the defensive side during his career with the Spartans averaging 8.6 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game.

The former Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year took on the challenge of guarding Luka Garza and other big men in that conference. He did more than hold his own.

He landed in a great situation, being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies, who have a bright future with the young talent they’ve assembled. Like Winston, I have Tillman Sr. near the bottom because his NBA career just began. I expect him to be a facilitator in the post and use his length and size to secure rebounds and block shots.

Michigan State Bio. Pick Analysis. player. 486. Guard. Michigan State 2014 - 2016. Bryn Forbes. 6

Forbes went from undrafted to a key member of the Bucks

Bryn Forbes transferred to Michigan State from Cleveland State, where he averaged more than 10 points and three rebounds per game. In East Lansing, Forbes’ best season was in 2015-16 when the Spartans went 29-6 (13-5 Big Ten) and were stunned by Middle Tennessee State 90-81 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. He scored 14 points per game that season.

He went undrafted in 2016 and spent the first four seasons of his career with the San Antonio Spurs. Forbes is now with the Milwaukee Bucks and plays 16 minutes per game.