Michigan State basketball: Cassius Winston’s brother joins coaching staff

Michigan State basketball hired a familiar face as a grad assistant on Friday as Khy Winston is now on the staff. 

As the week comes to a close, Spartan fans have possibly noticed a lot of content coming from the Michigan State basketball program this week. Yes, not only is the football program gearing up for another game this weekend, but basketball has revealed its schedule as well.

With its season just a couple months away, one of Tom Izzo’s favorite traditions is taking place this weekend. That is Michigan State basketball’s Grind Week. This is the weekend when former players from the program come back to East Lansing for workouts, mentoring, and giving back to the current team.

This weekend always gets a huge turnout. Players like Draymond Green, Kalin Lucas, Brandon Wood, Xavier Tillman, Korie Lucious, Gary Harris, and many more come back to get some work in with the current team and to also show them the ropes and what it means to be a Spartan. This homecoming always is topped with some charity events and then the players normally head to a football game as well — events to welcome the players back home and show that MSU athletics and basketball is truly a family.

Family is one of the main values that Izzo preaches. Once you’re here, you’re family. You are part of a culture unlike any other and it’s for life.

This is something Izzo truly believes in as he tries to make sure his players know both he and others are there for them always. As MSU hoops plans on hosting several high-profile recruits this weekend. The concept of family is something that runs deep. It’s something he tries to pitch to recruits as well.

That value is something again on display this weekend as Michigan State announced the hiring of its newest grad assistant. Who is it? None other than Khy Winston, younger brother of Cassius Winston.

This was confirmed by 247Sports’ Stephen Brooks.

MSU basketball’s newest grad assistant is Khy Winston, youngest brother of Cassius Winston.

— Stephen Brooks (@StephenM_Brooks) September 8, 2023

Khy played basketball at Division 3 Albion University in Michigan. His older brother Cassius, as you all know, was an All-American point guard at MSU. He’s considered to be one of the best players to ever play under Izzo.

Khy has been around the program before with Cassius and looks to extend his basketball career under the wings of Izzo.

A graduate assistant is a Coach that works under the head coach to support the team in many manners. They help run practices and games and even help in recruiting and anything else the coach may need. It’s seen as an entry-level position into the world of coaching. Who better to start your coaching career under than Izzo?

Hiring Winston is a perfect example that Izzo likes to keep the family atmosphere intact. The Winston family has always been close to Izzo. Being able to mentor another one of the Winstons is something Izzo really looks forward to and Khy will also bring a lot of knowledge and hard work to the position. I think this is a perfect fit for the position. Khy is another member of a long lineage of player’s family members that are associated with program.

Keeping family values in the program only strengthens it. Having former players coming back and contributing to the team is something very unique for MSU. It’s also something that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Let’s hope Winston enjoys his new role and helps continuing taking the program to new heights, much like his brother did.

Congrats, Khy.