Where are the players from the 2018-19 Final 4 Michigan State basketball team now?

It’s been a few years since we witnessed Cassius Winston leading Michigan State basketball. Where is he (and the 2018-19 team) now?

Former Michigan State basketball players finding new homes every offseason is always one of my favorite things to follow. Obviously it’s my favorite when they earn NBA opportunities, but it’s not realistic to see each one in the league. But Tom Izzo usually sets these guys up for success on and off the court.

That got me thinking: where are some of Michigan State’s former players now?

I’m going to start this fun series with one of the most memorable teams in recent memory. Yes, we’re checking in on the 2018-19 Final Four Michigan State basketball roster to check out where all of them are today.

Note: I did my best to find out what each player is doing today, but a walk-on or two may be missing.

Cassius Winston

Where he is now: Signed with Tofas Bursa in Turkey after a season with Bayern Munich in Germany

Cassius Winston was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft. As we all know, he was the star of this team and he led the way to a Final Four berth after winning the Big Ten Player of the Year award. He finished his MSU career as the all-time assists leader in Big Ten history before getting drafted by the Thunder in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft and then traded to the Wizards. Cassius will forever be one of the most legendary Spartan basketball players. His number will be hanging in the rafters soon.

Xavier Tillman

Where he is now: Re-signed with the Memphis Grizzlies this offseason

Tillman is back with Memphis where he’s started a number of games alongside former Michigan State basketball teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. It’s been cool to see Tillman’s growth in the NBA and his maturation throughout college was eerily similar. He started his career slowly and then an injury to another big man opened the door. In college, it was Nick Ward; in the NBA, it was Steven Adams. The former Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is earning a bigger role in Memphis and he, too, is forever a fan favorite.

Kenny Goins

Where he is now: Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys of the Lithuanian Basketball League

After going undrafted following his senior season, Kenny Goins has bounced around overseas. Everyone remembers Goins because of his game-winning 3-pointer against Duke over the outstretched arms of Zion Williamson. That shot will go down as one of the most memorable in MSU history as it sent the Spartans to a Final Four. The former walk-on exceeded expectations in East Lansing and is now having a nice career overseas.

Matt McQuaid

Where he is now: Michigan State Assistant Director of Basketball Operations

After trying his hand at a pro career, Matt McQuaid is back with the Michigan State basketball program. The circus shot against Duke and the 3-point barrage against Michigan in the Big Ten title game will be what McQuaid is most remembered for, but he became one of the best leaders and sure-handed players on the team in 2018-19. His senior season almost ended on a magical note with a national title but he fell just short. McQuaid could still get a ring with the program in the coming years, though.

Nick Ward

Where he is now: Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League

Nick Ward left after his junior season to pursue an NBA career but he wound up overseas and he returned to this side of the pond, signing with the Bandits for the upcoming season. Ward was the starting center for the Spartans to start the 2018-19 season, but a broken hand forced Tillman into action in his place. He never was quite the same after that, but people forget he was one of the most efficient scoring big men in recent memory under Izzo. Freshman and sophomore year Ward were borderline unstoppable.

Aaron Henry

Where he is now: Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya in Japan

Aaron Henry left after three seasons with Michigan State as well and was on the 76ers in 2021-22 before heading overseas. He recently signed with Toyotsu Fighting Eagles Nagoya in Japan. Remember when Izzo yelled at Henry too loudly and the rest of the country lost its mind over it? Well, that seemed to spark his motor and he ended up being one of the most productive and trusted freshmen on the team. He eventually became the leader during his junior season and doesn’t get enough credit for carrying Michigan State basketball to the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

Joshua Langford

Where is he now: Assistant coach at Madison Academy in Alabama

Retiring from the game of basketball, Joshua Langford held a role as a program coordinator for MSU’s Broad College of Business before accepting an assistant coach role at his alma mater in Alabama. The story of Langford is a sad one because he was a special player before he suffered a rash of injuries. He played in just 13 games during the Final Four season and was on pace to put up career numbers. If he stayed healthy, the former five-star could have had a legit professional career somewhere.

Kyle Ahrens

Where he is now: Head of Supply Chain Management and Director of Operations at Pro Fireworks, via LinkedIn

Not everyone has a professional basketball career and Kyle Ahrens is a prime example of that. Unfortunately, Ahrens didn’t have a role on the team in the postseason because of the injury he suffered during the Big Ten title game against Michigan. The team won for him, though. He was the heart and one of the most likable players on the team who could do a little of everything.

Gabe Brown

Where he is now: Most recently on Phoenix Suns’ Summer League roster

Gabe Brown has been in the G-League with Raptors 905 for the past year and he tried to earn a contract with the Suns after the NBA Summer League. Known for his energy on the bench as a freshman, Brown will probably be known most during this season for his breakout game against LSU in the Sweet 16. He went on to have a nice career and was a 3-point specialist for the Spartans.

Marcus Bingham Jr.

Where he is now: Hapoel Haifa in Israel

Marcus Bingham Jr. was signed by the Mavs in September of last year before getting waived in October. He was on the Mavs’ Summer League team in July but just signed with his team in Israel. Regarded as one of the rawest prospects in his recruiting class, Bingham had a high ceiling but didn’t quite have a major impact on this Final Four team. He grew into a solid player by his senior year and was really fun to watch.

Foster Loyer

Where he is now: Assistant video coordinator for the Brooklyn Nets

Foster Loyer transferred to Davidson after three seasons in East Lansing where he averaged over 16 points per game in two years there. He’s now an assistant video coordinator for the Nets. He really fit in nicely with Davidson in the A-10 after transferring from Michigan State and he even got to play the Spartans in the 2022 NCAA Tournament.

Thomas Kithier

Where he is now: Assistant video coordinator for the Utah Jazz

Like Loyer, Thomas Kithier just needed a change of scenery in a smaller conference and he played well at Valparaiso before being forced to medically retire last season. Fortunately, he’s found a career in basketball with the Jazz.

Jack Hoiberg

Where he is now: Spurs basketball operations video assistant

Like some of the other lesser-used players on this roster, Jack Hoiberg transferred to end his career. Although he was a walk-on, “Stepback Jack” wanted a bigger role and he deserved it as he was always exciting when he got playing time. He averaged 16 minutes per game and 3.2 points per game at UT-Arlington in 2021-22 before taking a role with the Spurs.

Conner George

Where he is now: Mortgage loan officer at Premier Home and Finance, via LinkedIn

Bet you didn’t think I’d find the former walk-ons, did you? Well, I put my journalism degree to good use and did my research. OK, it was just a simple Google search and a discovered LinkedIn page. But anyways, Conner George went into the mortgage business after college and even worked at United Wholesale for Mat Ishbia for a couple of years before changing companies.

Brock Washington

Where he is now: Pursuing a law degree at Howard University, via LinkedIn

Good for Brock Washington for pursuing a law degree after his basketball career. He didn’t play much for Michigan State basketball as a former walk-on but he’s setting himself up for success off the court with a law degree.