Where Are They Now?

Tracking Down Tom Izzo’s Former Players

On the eve of Tom Izzo’s 70th birthday, it is time to begin the tributes. The TOC staff did some digging around the web and compiled info about every player that has come through the Michigan State program going back to the 2007 recruiting class to see where they are now and what they are up to. Players still on the team were not included.

It was truly amazing to see how many of Tom’s former players went on to play professionally in some capacity. And it is perhaps even more amazing to see some of the geographic locations that some of these guys have gone to. I mean, Mongolia?! Sure, go ahead, Kalin.

As all four of us worked on this assignment, there is some variance in the formatting between players. But the info should all be there. We hope you enjoy this. We’ll start in 2007 and make our way to the present day.

2007

Kalin Lucas

• Undrafred in 2011 NBA draft
• Played in 2 NBA games: one for Memphis in 2014-15 season and one for Detroit in 2018-19
• Has appeared on numerous NBA Summer League and G League teams
• Has played all over internationally: Greece, Turkey, Israel, Yugoslavia, Puerto Rico, Italy, Kuwait, Mongolia
• Last signed with a team in Managua, Nicaragua on 3/7/24
• NBA Summer League and G League

Durrell Summers

• Spent a couple years in the NBA Developmental League (D-League) after MSU
• Then went international to Venezuela, Australia, Hungary, Israel from 2013-2014
• Then back to D League for parts of 2014-15
• Then to Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Mexico again
• Played for Team Detroit in 2020 The Basketball Tournament
• Currently with Mineros de Zacatecas in the top pro league in Mexico

Chris Allen

• Transferred to Iowa State after 3 seasons at MSU. Redshirted at ISU for 2010-11 season; played in 2011-12 – started all 34 games and averaged 12.2 per game; led ISU in 3 pt. Shooting.
• Played in 2022 Drew League
• Played in Brazil, China, Dominican Republic, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Mexico
• Played for Enemies in Big3 League in 2024

2008

Draymond Green

• In his 13th NBA season, all with Golden State Warriors
• 4x NBA champion, 4x all star, 8x all NBA defensive team
• Currently rehabbing and trying to work his way back from a calf strain –
• averaging 8.4 points, 6 boards, 5.4 assists in 34 minutes prior to injury
• Career stats of 8.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game

Delvon Roe

• Retired from basketball prior to his senior year at MSU due to ongoing knee issues
• Lives in Los Angeles where he is acting and coaching high school basketball
• In 2012, he was the champion of my fantasy football league consisting of a bunch of Spartans living in L.A.
• Had a recurring role on the BET show “Games People Play”
• Currently coaches the varsity at St. Genevieve H.S. in Panorama City
• Has an audition this week for a Tyler Perry show

Korie Lucious

• Transferred to Iowa State after 3 seasons at MSU
• Revealed after his college career that Izzo dismissed him for smoking a lot of weed
• Redshirted 2011-12 at ISU; played 2012-13
• Played in Poland, Cyprus, China, Canada, North Macedonia, and Brazil
• 2023 – founded StayParanoid Basketball Academy in his home state of Wisconsin

2009

Derrick Nix

• Undrafred in 2013 NBA draft
• Bounced around Europe (Slovenia, Latvia, France, Poland)
• G League for a few months with Grand Rapids in 2015-2016 then back to Latvia
• G League from 2017-2020
• Then back to Europe in 2022
• Out of basketball now

Garrick Sherman

• Transferred to Notre Dame 2012
• Undrafred in 2014 NBA draft
• 2014 signed with AZS Koszalin in Poland
• 2015 he spent time with BC Dinamo Tbilisi in Georgia and Donar Groningen in the Netherlands.
• 2015-2016 signed with Jaszberenyi KSE in Hungary
• Married with 2 kids

2010

Adreian Payne*

• Selected with the 15th pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks; split time between Hawks and G and D Leagues in 2014 and 2015
• Traded to Timberwolves in 2015 and signed with Orlando Magic in 2017; mostly playing for their G League affiliate in 2017; waived by Magic in early 2018
• Played in Greece, China, France, Turkey, and Lithuania after that
• Murdered on May 9, 2022 in Orlando, FL

Keith Appling

• Undrafted in 2014
• Spent time with Trailblazers, Lakers, Magic and their summer league and G League programs
• After a jail term on a gun charge, returned to play in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Italy
• Currently serving an 18-40 year sentence for second degree murder of a 66 year old man in Detroit. Pleaded guilty on 2/13/23 and sentenced on 3/3/23

Russell Byrd

• Undrafted in 2015
• 2015-2016 Played for Fundacion Lucentum
• 2016-2017 Played for Moncton Magic NBL Canada
• 2017-2018 Played for St John’s Edge and KW Titans NBL Canada
• 2018 Played for Island Storm NBL Canada. Signed first multi year contract in team history.
• March 2023 started working at Feldman Chevrolet in Lansing

Alex Gauna

• Left the team in 2014 to be a father
• 2015 First year coaching assistant at Lansing Catholic
• 2016 Got married and moved to Ohio to wife’s hometown.
• 2017-2022 Sales Rep at Alro Steel
• 2022-Present Clinical Sales Specialist at DePuy Synthes

2011

Branden Dawson

• 4-year starter at MSU
• Drafted 56th in 2015 NBA Draft by New Orleans Pelicans, but traded on draft night to L.A. Clippers
• Played in 6 games for the Clippers as a rookie, while mostly playing in the D-League
• Spent the 2016-17 season with the Erie BayHawks of the D-League
• Since 2017, has played internationally in Israel, Japan, Mexico, and Taiwan
• Has not played since 2023
• Just recently announced his retirement from BB on his Instagram

Travis Trice

• Became a starter in his senior year at MSU and helped lead team to 2015 Final Four
• Went undrafted, played for Miami Heat in 2015 Summer League
• Played for D-League’s Westchester Knicks in 2015-16
• Has played internationally since 2016 in countries such as Australia, Lebanon, Turkey, France, Italy, Poland, and Puerto Rico
• In 2023-24 season, was named Finals MVP after leading Criollos to the Puerto Rican title.

Brandan Kearney

• Played two seasons at MSU before transferring to Arizona State for one year and then to University of Detroit for his senior season.
• Was drafted 2nd in the 2015 NBL of Canada draft
• Played in Canada for 2 years

2012

Gary Harris

• Declared for NBA draft after 2 seasons at MSU
• Was drafted by Chicago Bulls at #19 in 2014; traded on draft night to Denver Nuggets
• Played in Denver until the 2020-21 season; was traded at the deadline to Orlando Magic
• Still playing in Orlando, signed a new 2-year deal this past offseason

Denzel Valentine

• Drafted #14 by the Chicago Bulls in 2016 draft
• Hit buzzer-beating game-winner in 2016 Vegas Summer League
• Remained in Chicago through 2020-21 season
• Signed with the Cleveland Cavs before the 2021-22 season, played part of the year there before being traded to NY Knicks, waived, signed by Utah Jazz to 10-day contract, and playing his last 2 NBA games.
• Played in the G-League in 2022-23
• Played in Australia for the 2023-24 season
• Currently playing for Pallacanestro Trieste of the Italian League

Matt Costello

• Undrafted in 2016 draft, joined Atlanta Hawks for Summer League
• Played for Atlanta in 2 preseason games, then was waived
• Played for Iowa Energy in the D-League for one year
• Played in four games for the San Antonio Spurs in 2017-18, while mostly being on their G-League affiliate
• Has been playing in Europe since 2018, first in Italy and then in Spain
• Currently plays for Valencia Basket in Spain’s top league

Kenny Kaminski

• Redshirted one season, then played for MSU in 2013-14, starting 3 games
• Was dismissed from the program in the 2014 offseason for behavioral and academic reasons
• Transferred to Ohio Bobcats and started there for 2 seasons
• No further info found

2013

Gavin Schilling

• Born in Germany, raised in France, and played for Germany’s U-16 Team before completing high school in the U.S.
• After MSU, he played four seasons in the German Bundesliga
• Also played in France, Turkey, and Italy, before returning to Lowen Braunschweig of the Bundesliga this season

Alvin Ellis

• Doesn’t appear to have played any pro ball since leaving MSU
• Has been a long term substitute teacher in the Chicago Public School System since 2017
• Has also worked at the University of Chicago, HBK Engineering, General Motors, and Nicor Gas since finishing at MSU

2014

Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn

• 2018 – front office role with Phoenix Suns
• 2019 – grad manager at MSU
• 2021 – head coach at Sunrise Christian Academy
• 2022 – asst. Coach for Southern Utah
• 2023 – asst. Coach at BGSU
• Current Associate head coach at BGSU

Marvin Clark

• Played at MSU for 2 seasons
• Transferred to St. John’s for his final 2 seasons
• Has been playing internationally since the 2019-20 season in a number of countries: Belgium, France, Hungary, Mexico, Germany, Israel
• Currently plays for Falco Szombathely in the Hungarian League

Javon Bess

• Played at MSU for 2 seasons
• Transferred to St. Louis for his final 2 seasons; was 2X A-10 All-Defensive Team and 1X Defensive Player of the Year
• Signed with the New Orleans Pelicans as an UDFA; eventually played for their G League team, the Erie BayHawks
• Has played internationally since 2021, first in Iceland, then Germany, and now plays for Turk Telekom in Turkey

2015

Matt McQuaid

• Undrafted in 2019 NBA draft
• Played for Pistons in 2019 Summer League then went to Germany
• Joined MSU’s coaching staff in 2021 as assistant director of operations
• Currently on the basketball operations staff for the Houston Rockets

Kyle Ahrens

• Appears to be out of basketball, at least as a player
• His LinkedIn lists him as a Sourcing Specialist for Crown Equipment Corp, Real Estate Investor, and basketball trainer

Kenny Goins

• Undrafted in 2019, played summer league for Denver Nuggets
• Spent time in Italy, Greece, Hungary, Mexico, and France
• Currently with the Manawatu Jets of the New Zealand league

Deyonta Davis

• One and done at MSU
• Selected 31st by Celtics then traded to Grizzlies
• Split time between NBA and G League until 2020
• Played in Taiwan 2021-2024

2016

Cassius Winston

• Drafted 53rd overall in the 2020 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder and then traded to the Washington Wizards
• Played in 29 games over two seasons with the Wizards while splitting time between the NBA and G League
• Has been in Europe since then: ‘22-23 at Bayern Munich (Germany), ‘23-24 with Tofas in Turkey’s top basketball league
• Now with Pallacanestro Reggiana of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A – Italy’s highest division

Joshua Langford

• Retired from basketball on 4/4/21 after an injury-plagued career at MSU
• Worked at Broad College of Business at MSU as a program coordinator
• Currently an assistant coach at his HS alma mater – Madison Academy in Huntsville, AL

Miles Bridges

• Drafted 12th in 2018 Draft by Los Angeles Clippers; traded to Charlotte Hornets
• Starter for Charlotte since rookie season
• Career 14.8 PPG

Nick Ward

• Declared for draft after 3 seasons at MSU
• Signed to play 2019 NBA Summer League with Atlanta Hawks
• Has been all over since then: Israel (left team after one preseason game), Turkey, NBA G League (averaged 13.2 / 6.5 with College Park Skyhawks in 2019-2020 season), Turkey again, Canadian Elite professional league, Kosovo, Lithuania
• Currently Plays for Sporting CP in Portugal

2017

Jaren Jackson

• Drafted 4th by Memphis in 2018 Draft
• 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year; 2X All-Defense first team
• Career 17.6 PPG

Xavier Tillman

• Drafted in the 2nd round of 2020 Draft by Sacramento; traded to Memphis on draft night
• Traded to Boston during 2024 season
• NBA Champion
• Career 6.0 PPG

2018

Marcus Bingham

• Signed by Dallas Mavericks in 9/22 but waived on 10/13
• Signed with Hapoel Haifa of the Israeli Premier Basketball League in 7/23 – set league record with 22 points and 27 boards in a game in 5/24
• 7/24 signed with Hapoel Holon
• 11/24 signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv

Foster Loyer

• Transferred to Davidson after ‘20-21 season
• Played 2 seasons at Davidson, averaging over 16 ppg each season
• Went undrafted in ‘23 NBA draft
• Current assistant video coordinator with Brooklyn Nets

Thomas Kithier

• Transferred to Valparaiso after ‘20-21 season – played in 22 games, starting each of them, averaged 10.1 points, 6.6 rebounds in 25.4 minutes
• Current assistant video coordinator with Utah Jazz

Gabe Brown

• 10/3/22 – signed Exhibit 10 contract with Toronto Raptors; then added to their G League affiliate – Raptors 905
• 7/28/23 – signed with Openjobmetis Varese of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A. parted ways on 12/5/24 after averaging 11.2 ppg
• Now plays for Trapani Shark of the Italian Serie A league

Aaron Henry

• Went undrafted in ‘21 NBA draft
• Signed 2-way contract with Philadelphia 76ers and Delaware Blue Coats
• Waived by 76ers on 11/11/22; reacquired by Blue Coats a week later
• Signed with Metropolitans 92 of French A league on 8/6/22 but suffered a season ending quad injury in Dec. ‘22
• Currently plays for Fighting Eagles Nagoya of Japanese B League after signing with them in June ‘23

2019

Rocket Watts

• Transferred to Mississippi St after ‘20-21 season; limited by injuries – played in only 19 games and averaged 4.4 points in ‘21-22.
• MS St coach fired after the season and Watts transferred again to Oakland for his last 2 seasons. Started all 29 games in ‘22-23 and averaged 8.7 points. Mostly came off the bench in ‘23-24 and scored 7.7
• Went undrafted in ‘24 NBA draft
• Appears to be out of basketball

Julius Marble

• Transferred to Texas A&M after ‘21-22 season
• Played in 35 games, started 30, for A&M in ‘22-23 scoring 9.1 per game with 4.4 boards
• Did not play during in ‘23-24 – coach said he was going through a “university process ”
• Charged with second degree felony sexual assault on 4/18/24, stemming from an incident in 10/23 – plead not guilty
• Appears to be out of basketball

Malik Hall

• Played with Charlotte Hornets in ‘24 NBA Summer League
• 8th overall pick in ‘24-25 NBA G League draft by Greensboro Swarm (Charlotte Hornets G League affiliate)
• Currently averaging 15 minutes per game and 4.9 pts and 4.4 rpg

2020

Mady Sissoko

• Transferred to Cal after ‘23-24 season
• Starting center for Cal, averaging 6.2 points on 64% shooting and 6.6 rebounds per game

AJ Hoggard

• Transferred to Vanderbilt after ‘23-24 season
• Starting point guard for the Commodores
• Averaging 11.1 points on 42.6% shooting, 4.2 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game

2021

Max Christie

• Declared for NBA draft after one season at MSU
• Selected in second round of 2022 draft, #35 overall, by LA Lakers
• Played in 41 games in ‘22-23 averaging 12.5 minutes and 3.1 points
• Played in 67 games in ‘23-24 averaging 14.1 minutes and 4.2 points
• Re-signed with the Lakers for 4 years and $32 million in July, 2024
• Averaging 8.1 points on 45.9% shooting so far this year

Pierre Brooks

• Transferred to Butler prior to the ‘22-23 season after 2 seasons at MSU
• Started all 33 games for Butler in ‘22-23 and led team in scoring at 14.8 ppg
• Now in his senior year at Butler, still a starter, second on team in scoring at 14.9 ppg

Transferred In

Joey Hauser

• Went undrafted in 2023 NBA draft
• Signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz on 7/3/23
• Waived by Jazz on 10/13/23
• Signed by LA Clippers on 10/20/23 but waived the next day
• Joined the G League’s San Diego Clippers on 10/30/23 – averaged 7.1 pts, 3.4 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game for the ‘23-24 season.
• Now plays for the College Park Skyhawks; averaging 2.7/2.6/14.8 so far this year

Tyson Walker

• Went undrafted in 2024 NBA draft
• Played 2024 NBA Summer League with the Phoenix Suns
• October 2024 – joined the Texas Legends in the G League after being selected in the G League draft – averaging 14.1 ppg and 6.0 apg so far in ‘24-25 season

The Izzo Player Tree has branches all over the globe.