Michigan State Basketball: Marcus Bingham Jr. signs with team in Israel

A week after the Summer League, former Michigan State basketball star Marcus Bingham Jr. signed to begin his career overseas. 

Former Michigan State basketball player Marcus Bingham Jr. will put a temporary, possibly permanent, hold on his NBA dreams to play overseas in Israel. Bingham was set to begin his second season with the Dallas Mavericks with hopes to earn a two-way contract and eventually garner substantial minutes with the professional roster.

Marcus Bingham Jr.’s professional career in Dallas

Since going undrafted in 2022, the Grand Rapids native Marcus Bingham Jr. has had some bad luck in the league. Agreeing to an undrafted contract with the Dallas Mavericks last season, Bingham played with their Summer League team. Based on his play and potential, he was awarded with a G-League deal going into the 2022-2023 season. Unfortunately for the former Michigan State basketball starter, a knee injury put an end to his season before it even started.

After rehabbing, Bingham Jr. once again joined Dallas’ Summer League roster for this season. But, after three games and just 6.0 minutes per game, Bingham’s play was uninspiring. His lone highlight was a reffing mistake that made it look as though he scored on the wrong basket. Due to his underwhelming play, Bingham has decided to go overseas and join Hapoel Haifa of the Israel basketball first division. 

Bingham joins the 6-16 Hapoel Haifa of the Israel basketball first division

Becoming one of the younger players on Hapoel Haifa, Bingham will now be playing in the country’s top professional league. The 7-foot-0 center, who has shown some ability to step out and shoot the three, will bring much needed height and defensive ability to his new team.

Hapoel Haifa just recently finished at the bottom of their league, going 6-16. Bingham hopes to bolster a roster that was net-negative in almost every category compared to their league opponents. 

With this move overseas, Bingham will begin earning on his professional career at a larger rate, compared to remaining in the lower level G-League. Other former Spartans have done the same in recent years. Both Cassius Winston and Kenny Goins recently signed to continue their careers overseas. In his new league, Bingham will be competing against former Duke player and Elite Eight opponent, Javin DeLaurier.

Hopefully Marcus is able to continue to grow and work on his craft. And eventually show that he has the ability to be a true stretch four or five in the NBA.