EuroBasket Pro Spartans Weekly Update
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Here is the weekly review of the top performing Spartans alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Cassius Winston, a 6'1'' point guard who graduated from Michigan State in 2020 and received the USBWA All-District V Team award that year, is currently playing professionally in Israel for Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem. In a recent game, Winston was unable to help his team secure a victory as they lost 95-103 on the road to the lower-ranked Hapoel Holon, despite his stellar performance. Winston showcased his skills by scoring 23 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists in 34 minutes of play, making him the top scorer of the game.
This season marks Winston's first with the team, and he has been putting up solid statistics with an average of 13.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in the 16 games he has played so far. His outstanding performance against Hapoel Holon highlights his talent and contribution to the team, even though they fell short in the end.
#2. Experienced champion Matt Costello, a 6'10'' center/forward who is 32 years old and an alumnus of the Spartans from 2016 when he helped them win the Big Ten Tournament, currently plays professionally in Spain for Valencia Basket. In their recent game against BAXI Manresa, despite Costello's solid performance, Valencia was narrowly defeated 104-102 by the lower-ranked team (#12).
In the game, Costello showcased his skills by scoring 12 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and making 2 blocks in just 22 minutes of play, establishing himself as the second-best scorer for Valencia. Even though the finalist put up an impressive performance, his team fell short of securing a victory against BAXI Manresa.
Throughout this season, Costello has maintained an average of 7.6 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game in the 25 games he has played. It's worth noting that Costello is a naturalized American, bringing his valuable experience and talent to the professional basketball scene in Spain.
#3. Frankie Fidler, a 6'7'' forward who graduated from Michigan State in 2025 after helping them secure the Big Ten Regular Season Champion title, is currently playing professionally in Latvia for Rigas Zelli. In a recent game against Valmiera Glass, despite Fidler's outstanding performance where he scored 26 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists in 34 minutes, his team ended up losing 93-98 to the lower-ranked Glass in the East group. Despite this loss, Fidler's exceptional efforts on the court did not go unnoticed, earning him the Triple-Double Badge from eurobasket.com.
Throughout his first season in pro basketball, Fidler has been putting up impressive individual statistics. He currently leads the league in scoring with an average of 20.8 points per game, ranks third in rebounds with 7.8 per game, is fourth in assists with 5.0 per game, and also contributes 1.4 steals per game in the eight games played so far. Fidler's exceptional performance on the court reflects his determination and skill as he continues to make a mark in the world of professional basketball.
#4. Kenny Goins, a 29-year-old power forward standing at 6'7'' and an alumnus of the Spartans from 2019, currently plays professionally in Poland. In a recent game, he was a major contributor to Trefl Sopot's 2-point victory over the 11th-ranked Stal with a score of 88-86 in the Polish Orlen Basket Liga. Goins showcased his talent by scoring 16 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and dishing out 2 assists in just 24 minutes of play.
Trefl Sopot, with a record of 19-10, holds the fourth position in the league standings, having secured their fourth consecutive victory. The upcoming final game of the Regular Season will be crucial for his team. Goins' performance in the game against Stal highlighted his skills as a champion, contributing significantly to his team's success.
Throughout the season, Goins has maintained an average of 9.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game in the 25 games played so far. His consistent performance and valuable contributions on the court demonstrate his capability as a finalist.
#5. Aaron Henry, a 6'6'' forward who graduated from Michigan State in 2021, is currently playing professionally in Japan for the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins. In the recent game against the NeoPhoenix, despite his stellar performance, Henry couldn't prevent his team from suffering a 79-93 loss. He emerged as the second-best scorer of the game with 21 points, alongside contributing 6 rebounds and 7 assists during his 38 minutes on the court.
The Nagoya Diamond Dolphins have been facing a tough streak, having lost their sixth consecutive game. With only two games remaining in the Regular Season, every upcoming match is of utmost importance for the team. This season marks Henry's debut with the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, and he has showcased remarkable individual performance throughout. Henry has been averaging 17.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.1 blocks (ranking fourth best in the league), and 1.9 steals (ranking second best in the league) per game over the course of 59 games.
Despite his impressive stats and contributions, Henry and the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins look to bounce back in their upcoming games to secure a stronger position in the league standings.
#6. Denzel Valentine, a 6'5'' guard/forward and 32-year-old former Spartans alumni from the class of 2016, has been making waves in the Italian Serie A league where he currently plays professionally. In a recent game against the 12th-ranked Cremona, Valentine showcased his skills by contributing significantly to his team's dominant 111-88 victory. Despite playing just 16 minutes, Valentine managed to impressively score 10 points and secure 1 rebound against Cremona, highlighting his prowess on the court. His remarkable performance was instrumental in leading his team to triumph, further cementing his reputation as a champion.
Valentine's impact extends beyond this single game, as his consistent contributions throughout the season have been noteworthy. He currently boasts averages of 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game across 28 appearances this year. His all-around skills and dedication to his team make him a valuable asset and a key player in his team's quest for success.
#7. Marcus Bingham Jr., a towering 7'0'' center who recently graduated from Michigan State in 2022, has been making waves in the professional basketball scene in Russia. His exceptional skills were on full display as he played a pivotal role in UNICS's recent victory over the seventh-ranked MBA Moscow, with a decisive scoreline of 83-63 in the VTB United League. In this game, the champion scored an impressive 12 points, secured 8 rebounds, and delivered 2 crucial blocks in just 23 minutes of play.
Bingham Jr.'s remarkable performance highlights his prowess on the court and his unwavering determination as a finalist. Throughout the season, he has consistently showcased his talent, averaging an impressive 15.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game across 43 appearances. His exceptional contributions have undoubtedly solidified his reputation as a champion player in the league.
#8. Polish basketball player Szymon Zapala, a towering 7 feet tall center and 24 years old, is an alumnus of Spartans from 2025. During his time with Spartans, he played a crucial role in helping them secure the Big Ten Regular Season Champion title that year. Currently, Zapala is playing professionally in Poland, where he is a teammate of the aforementioned Kenny Goins. In a recent Polish Orlen Basket Liga game, both Zapala and Goins showcased their skills on the court together.
In a thrilling match against the 11th-ranked Stal, Zapala's stellar performance was instrumental in Trefl Sopot's narrow 88-86 victory. Throughout the game, he demonstrated his prowess by scoring 10 points, snatching 7 rebounds, and providing 1 assist in 29 minutes of play. His remarkable contribution undoubtedly played a significant role in his team emerging as the finalist.
So far this season, Zapala has maintained an average of 6.9 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game across 29 games. His consistent performance highlights his dedication and skill as a champion athlete.
#9. Bryn Forbes, a 6'3'' guard who is 32 years old and a graduate of Michigan State in 2016 where he helped them win the Big Ten Tournament, currently plays professionally in Romania. Recently, he led Valcea to a 73-67 victory over the 14th-ranked Targu Jiu in the Romanian Liga Nationala Baschet de Masculin. In this particular game, Forbes was named the MVP after scoring 15 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and contributing 2 assists. His outstanding performance against Targu Jiu highlighted his skills and determination, showcasing why he is considered a champion. Throughout the season, Forbes has maintained impressive statistics, averaging 16.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game over 13 games, further solidifying his reputation as a finalist.
#10. Travis Trice II, a 6'0'' point guard and 33-year-old Spartan alum from the class of 2015, is currently showcasing his skills as a professional basketball player in Puerto Rico. In a recent game, he led Criollos de Caguas to a notable 97-91 victory over the third-ranked Gigantes in the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional. Trice II's exceptional performance earned him the MVP title for the game, as he displayed his versatility by scoring 26 points, distributing 10 assists, and securing 4 rebounds in 37 minutes of play.
Trice II's impact was pivotal in securing the victory, as he demonstrated his prowess on both ends of the court. His impressive double-double and all-around contribution mirrored that of a champion, highlighting his ability to rise to the occasion when his team needed him most. Throughout the season, Trice II has maintained a high level of performance, averaging 21.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 10.0 assists, and 1.7 steals per game over the course of 13 games. His consistent excellence on the court further solidifies his reputation as a standout player and a force to be reckoned with in the league.
Other former Michigan State University players, who play in pro basketball:
Gabe Brown (6'7''-F-2000, played in 2018-22) plays for SIG Strasbourg in French Betclic ELITE ProA
Mady Sissoko (6'9''-C-2000, played in 2020-24) plays for Trieste in Italian Serie A
Gavin Schilling (6'9''-C-1995, played in 2013-16) plays for MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in German BBL
Draymond Green (6'6''-F-1990, played in 2008-12) plays for Golden State Warriors in the NBA
Miles Bridges (6'7''-SF-1998, played in 2016-18) plays for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA
Xavier Tillman Sr. (6'8''-F-1999, played in 2017-20) plays for Charlotte Hornets in the NBA
Jaren Jackson Jr. (6'11''-F/C-1999, played in 2017-18) plays for Utah Jazz in the NBA
Jase Richardson (6'3''-G-2005, played in 2024-25) plays for Orlando Magic in the NBA
Gary Harris (6'4''-SG-1994, played in 2012-14) plays for Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA
Max Christie (6'6''-SG-2003, played in 2021-22) plays for Dallas Mavericks in the NBA
Jaden Akins (6'4''-G-2003, played in 2021-25) plays for Detroit Pistons in the NBA
Raymar Morgan (6'8''-F/C-1988, played in 2006-10) played for Science City Jena in German BBL few monts ago
Malik Hall (6'8''-F-2000, played in 2019-24) plays for Urban Latti Kiryat Ata in Israeli Winner League
Tyson Walker (6'1''-G-2000, played in 2021-24) plays for Melbourne United in Australian NBL
A.J. Hoggard (6'4''-G-2000, played in 2020-24) plays for Raptors 905 Mississauga in the NBA G League
Joey Hauser (6'9''-F-1999, played in 2019-23) played for College Park SkyHawks in the NBA G League last year
Branden Dawson (6'7''-F-1993, played in 2011-15) played for Correcaminos UAT Victoria in Mexican LNBP last year
Nick Ward (6'10''-C/F-1997, played in 2016-19) plays for Quimper UJAP in French ProB
Durrell Summers (6'5''-SF-1989, played in 2007-11) plays for Pioneros in Venezuelan SPB
Shannon Brown (6'3''-G-1985, played in 2003-06) played for Huntsville Dawgs in the NBL-US last year
Jason Richardson (6'6''-G-1981, played in 1999-01) played for Chicago Triplets in the Big3 last year
Brandon Wood (6'2''-G-1989, played in 2011-12) played for Shield 219 in the The Basketball Tournament last year
Eron Harris (6'3''-G-1993, played in 2014-14) played for Lebanon Leprechauns in the TBL last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Michigan State University basketball alumni.
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| | Cassius Winston (Israel) (Photo: @pallacanest)
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| | Matt Costello (Spain) (Photo: @valenciabas)
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| | Frankie Fidler (Latvia) (Photo: @rigaszelli)
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