Tag: Spartans in the NBA

Denzel Valentine, Cleveland Cavs agree to two year deal

The Cleveland Cavs have signed former Spartan Denzel Valentine

Denzel Valentine is known to many Spartan fans as a legend of the Michigan State basketball program. Valentine spent four years in East Lansing, all of which turning out very successful.

After a successful career in East Lansing, Valentine went on to be the No. 14 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.

Valentine has spent the past five seasons in Chicago, but losing one year due to injury. In four seasons, Valentine averaged 7.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

His time in Chicago was less than stellar, and somewhat injury-plagued, but now Valentine has a chance at a fresh start with a new franchise.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Valentine have agreed on a two-year, partially guaranteed deal.

This will give Valentine the perfect change of scenery his career needs.

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WATCH: Tom Izzo interviewed outside Fiserv Forum before Bucks-Nets Game Six

Tom Izzo was interviewed by the local NBC station outside Fiserv Forum before the Bucks win over the Nets.

Bryn Forbes has had something of a coming out during these NBA playoffs as the country has been able to watch his flame-throwing ways for the Milwaukee Bucks, and he had his coach in town last night to watch him and his Bucks push the Brooklyn Nets to a Game Seven.

Tom Izzo made the trip to the game with his son (and MSU basketball player) Steven for his birthday. While Forbes didn’t have a great game, Izzo did speak to Brandon Kinnard of NBC 26 about Forbes’ growth:

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WATCH: Bryn Forbes catches fire, scores 19 points in first half of NBA playoff matchup vs. Miami Heat

Bryn Forbes went off in the first half of the Bucks’ game against the Miami Heat, scoring 19 points on 5 3s.

These NBA playoffs have been fun if you are a fan of watching Michigan State basketball players stand out in the league. Xavier Tillman and Jaren Jackson Jr. were the first Spartans to show the world what they can do on this larger stage. On Monday night, Bryn Forbes had the internet buzzing.

Forbes caught fire in the first half, leading the Milwaukee Bucks with 19 points on 5-for-8 3-point shooting. The Bucks currently lead the Miami Heat 78-51 at the time of this post.

Below, you can watch some of his hot-shooting night in Milwaukee:

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WATCH: Miles Bridges spins, fakes out defender for impressive layup

Former Spartan Miles Bridges flashed some impressive play-making skills against the Orlando Magic on Saturday night.

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Miles Bridges has been a human highlight since he first showed up on the national scene at Michigan State. That never really slowed down when he went to the Charlotte Hornets, and it seems like Bridges is intent on upping his game this year.

In their game on Saturday against the Orlando Magic, Bridges showed off some nice handles as he spun and faked out a Magic defender on his way to an impressive layup.

Watch it below:

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Xavier Tillman signs four-year rookie deal with the Memphis Grizzlies

Former Michigan State big man Xavier Tillman has officially signed his rookie deal with the Memphis Grizzlies.

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Last week, former Michigan State Basketball big man Xavier Tillman got to make his dreams come true when he was drafted No. 35 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. On Saturday, that was made official when Tillman signed a four-year rookie deal with the Grizzlies.

The news was first broken by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

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As noted by ‘Woj’ in his tweet announcing the deal, the Grizzlies moved up in the draft via trade to secure Tillman. Tillman will now join a Memphis team that also has his former AAU and college teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. on the roster.

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Jaren Jackson Jr. receives Medallion Award for work on voting initiatives

Former MSU star and current Grizzlies power forward Jaren Jackson was given the NASS Medallion Award Monday.

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One of the defining characteristics of an athlete who has passed through Michigan State is their leadership both on and off the court. Well, you can add Jaren Jackson Jr. to the long list of leaders the Spartans have produced.

On Monday, Memphis Grizzlies star and former MSU big man Jackson was honored by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) for his continued work on Tennessee Voting initiatives through receiving their Medallion Award.

Specifically, Jackson was honored by Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett.

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Woj: NBA officially selects November 18th as new date of the 2020 NBA Draft

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA has selected November 18th for the new date of the 2020 NBA Draft.

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The 2020 NBA Draft was originally scheduled to take place on June 25th. Obviously, with the NBA Playoffs still taking place down in Orlando, Florida as I write this, those plans have been changed, like pretty much everything else in our world. The NBA Draft plans have been unconfirmed since the season was altered, until now.

On Tuesday night, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted that, according to his sources, the NBA has selected November 18th as a new start date.

This should be of major interest to Michigan State Basketball fans as Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman should both hear their names called on draft day this year.

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Xavier Tillman, at this point, seems like a lock to me to go in the first round, at some point. Cassius Winston has recently been projected to go as high as the late first round in some mock drafts, but should at least go by the end of the second round.

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WATCH: Former MSU guard Gary Harris puts Patrick Beverly on roller skates in Nuggets win

Former MSU guard Gary Harris scored the first points of the Nuggets win on Saturday after faking Patrick Beverly out of his shoes.

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I don’t think it’s that hot of a take to say that former MSU guard Gary Harris has been the difference-maker for the Denver Nuggets during the 2020 NBA Playoffs. Since returning from injury, the Nuggets are 3-1 in the postseason, and Harris’ defense has been a huge factor in that success.

Now, his offense looks like it’s starting to come alive after spending six months on the shelf. In Saturday’s big win against the Los Angeles Clippers, Harris scored 13 points, including the first points in the game, which came off a fantastic move that absolutely put Clippers guard Patrick Beverly on roller skates.

Watch it below:

Game 3 between the Clippers and the Nuggets will take place on Monday night at 9pm ET. Both teams are now tied at 1-1.

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WATCH: Gary Harris seals Denver Nuggets playoff win with steal on Donovan Mitchell

Former Michigan State standout Gary Harris helped his Denver Nuggets advance Tuesday with a big steal on Donovan Mitchell.

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Former Michigan State guard Gary Harris is an absolute difference-maker for the Denver Nuggets. Harris has been out since March 11th with a hip injury, returning in Game 6 of a playoff series against the Utah Jazz. Harris immediately came in and, in my opinion, became the best defender on the Nuggets and was tasked with guarding Donovan Mitchell.

At the end of Game 7, the Nuggets needed to stop Donovan Mitchell in order to seal the victory and advance, so they put Harris on Mitchell.

Harris played Mitchell extremely tight and stole the ball from behind on Mitchell, which ultimately sealed the game for the Nuggets.

You can watch the exciting clip below:

Gary Harris was immediately the hero on social media. Here were some of the best immediate reactions from a fun end to the game:

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Watch: Gary Harris, back from hip injury, scores first points since March 11th

Former Michigan State standout Gary Harris made his NBA return last night and scored his first points since sidelined with a hip injury.

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Former Michigan State Basketball star Gary Harris has become quite the player in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets. However, he has had to deal with some frustrating injuries in that time, one of which has kept him sidelined for the last 5 months. Harris had not played a game for the Denver Nuggets since March 11th due to a hip injury but returned tonight for Game 6 of the Nuggets playoff series against the Utah Jazz.

In the game, Harris was able to notch his first made basket on a strong drive to the basket, enduring plenty of contact.

Watch it here:

The Nuggets are facing elimination tonight with the Jazz currently up 3-2.

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