The seven former Michigan State players who have played at least one game in the NBA this year represent a wide swath of different roles: the veteran who’s helped lead a resurgent for an NBA title contender, the up-and-comer having a breakout season, the rookie breaking into the league.
At the halfway point of the NBA season, here’s how former Michigan State players have fared in 2021-22:
Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets
Bridges is in the running to be an All-Star in his fourth NBA season, as he’s raised his scoring to 20 points per game and his rebounds to 7.3 per game, while recording his usual level of highlight-reel dunks. He recorded a career-best 38 points in an MLK day win over the Knicks. He was among the top 10 vote-getters of Eastern Conference guards in the most recent round of All-Star voting and is second in the NBA in total minutes played, behind only Russell Westbrook.
Bryn Forbes, San Antonio Spurs
Forbes returned to San Antonio after winning an NBA title last year in his one season with Milwaukee. He’s stepped into a reserve role and is averaging 9.1 points per game in 40 games while seeing 16.9 minutes per game and shooting 41.7 percent from 3-point range.
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Green will be out for at least two weeks of action after being diagnosed with a disc issue in his back that caused calf pain. Before the injury, he had averaged 7.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game while shooting a career-best 53.7 percent from the field and helping the Warriors start the season 31-12 after finishing just six games above .500 last year.
Gary Harris, Orlando Magic
After a slow start to his eighth NBA season, Harris moved into the starting lineup in late November following an injury to Magic rookie guard Jalen Suggs and saw his playing time and production soar. In his last 25 games, Harris is averaging 14.9 points per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and playing more than 33 minutes per game.
Aaron Henry, Philadelphia 76ers
Henry has seen action in six NBA games this season for the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring his first NBA basket during a Jan. 7 game against San Antonio. He was released last week from the two-way deal he signed with the team and is now a free agent.
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
Jackson has at last had a healthy season thus far after missing portions of his first three seasons due to injury. In 44 games, he’s averaging 16.2 points per game and career-highs with 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
Xavier Tillman Sr., Memphis Grizzlies
Tilllman has seen a smaller role in his second NBA season, playing 14.2 minutes per game off of the bench for the Grizzlies. He’s averaging 4.9 points per game but has seen his per-minute steals and assists go up.
Denzel Valentine, Utah Jazz
Valentine has been well-traveled in his fifth NBA season. He joined the Cavaliers before this season after four seasons with the Bulls but was traded and then released earlier this month. He was on paper a member of the Lakers and Knicks for brief amounts of time before signing with the Utah Jazz, where he’s had two brief appearances on a 10-day contract. For the season, he’s averaging 2.9 points in 9.0 minutes per game.
Cassius Winston, Washington Wizards
Winston saw action in two games last month, making two free throws in six minutes of play. In 13 G-League games this season, Winston has averaged 14 points and 4.1 assists per game.
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