Michigan State basketball: Where are Spartans from 2019-2022 now?

Checking in on former Michigan State basketball stars from the last few years, and where they are currently playing.

The one-and-done rule has allowed freshman players to make their impact on a program, only to ship off one year later to the next level. Even three and four-year players move on eventually, making way for others to fill their spots on the roster. Such has been the case for Michigan State basketball.

Let’s check in on some of the Michigan State stars who have either graduated or moved onto the next level from 2019-2022, and where they are currently playing.

Gabe Brown, undrafted 2022 — Toronto Raptors G-League affiliate

While at Michigan State, Gabe Brown’s specialties were 3-point shooting and getting the crowd involved with monstrous dunks. After never fully developing into an elite wing, Brown went undrafted in 2022, and would eventually sign an Exhibit 10 contract with the Toronto Raptors. He currently is on the Raptors G-League affiliate, Raptors 905, averaging 8.7 points in 16.9 minutes per game.

Marcus Bingham Jr., undrafted 2022 — Dallas Mavericks G-League affiliate

With his extreme size and length, 7-foot-0 with a wingspan of 7-foot-4, Marcus Bingham Jr. had the length to compete as a big in the Big Ten, but his lack of muscle, just 230 pounds, often left him overpowered down low.

To counteract this obvious weakness, however, Bingham developed quite a solid 3-point shot.

After going undrafted in 2022, Bingham was signed by the Dallas Mavericks and was set to begin his career for their G-League affiliate, the Texas Legends. Unfortunately, he went down with a season-ending injury in November before making his career debut.

Max Christie, drafted 35th overall in 2022 — Los Angeles Lakers

Coming to Michigan State basketball as a five-star, Max Christie immediately stepped into a starting wing position for Tom Izzo. While not lighting the world on fire, Christie had a good enough season and showed enough potential that he decided to end his collegiate career, and declared for the NBA draft after just one season with the green and white.

Taken at the beginning of the second round, Christie wound up signing a rookie-scale contract with the Lakers. Averaging 3.5 points per game on 41.1 percent field goal shooting, Christie has looked like a good prospect for a drowning LA team.

Christie just recently posted a new career high, scoring 14 points on Jan. 9 in a loss against the Denver Nuggets.

Aaron Henry, undrafted 2021 — Metropolitans 92 (LNB Pro A, France)

Another one of Izzo’s diamond-in-the-rough finds, Aaron Henry was an under-the-radar recruit out of Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis. Just a three-star, Henry picked the Spartans over the likes of Ohio State, Xavier, and Illinois. As underrecruited as he was, he made an immediate impact his first year with the program, starting 22 games as a freshman for the green and white.

After eventually growing into the Spartans’ go-to guy, Henry decided to take his physical talents and high basketball IQ to the next level, and test the NBA waters. After much feedback from the league, Henry withdrew from the draft and returned for his junior season in East Lansing. His final season was by far his most productive, averaging more than 15 points and almost six rebounds per game.

Following his productive third year, Henry officially declared for the NBA, going undrafted and eventually signing a two-way contract with the 76ers. Philadelphia’s G-League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, decided to waive Henry in 2022, only to bring him back a week later. In August of last year, Aaron took his career overseas and joined the Metropolitans 92 of the LNB Pro A League, the top-tier league in France.

Although currently injured, Henry is playing alongside generational phenom Victor Wembanyama.

Josh Langford, retired — Program manager for MSU Multicultural Business Program

Josh Langford held the unique title as a five-time Alabama high school state champion before coming to Michigan State, being that he competed at the high school level in just eighth grade. Langford was a part of arguably one of the best recruiting classes Izzo has ever had: the 2016 class.

When healthy for Michigan State, Langford was fantastic on both offense and defense. His shooting, specifically his legendary mid-range pull-up, along with his excellent basketball IQ allowed Langford to lead our team for multiple years.

Unfortunately, injuries eventually put an end to Langford’s basketball career.

After initially deciding to try his luck at hiring an agent and going towards free agency in the NBA, Langford returned to Michigan State, obtained his master’s degree, and now works as a program manager for the multicultural business program.

Cassius Winston, drafted 53rd overall in 2020 (Wizards) — Bayern Munich (Germany)

Regarded as one of the best point guards in Michigan State basketball history, Cassius Winston was everything you wanted in a college player. His poise under pressure while shooting 43 percent from three led Michigan State to a Final Four during his time with the green and white.

Unfortunately for Winston, there were always questions about whether his size and athletic ability would transfer to the next level. Drafted in the second round by the Washington Wizards, Cash spent most of his time in the NBA with the Wizards’ G-League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go. He was eventually assigned to the Erie BayHawks after the Capital City Go-Go withdrew from their current tournament.

After a handful of two-way contracts, Winston joined the 76ers’ Summer League for a short time and is now currently playing in Germany for Bayern Munich, averaging 17.2 points per game.

Xavier Tillman Sr., drafted 35th overall in 2020 — Memphis Grizzlies

Considered, in 2017, the best recruit in Michigan, Xavier Tillman chose Michigan State due to the level of competition the Spartans face, as well as its proximity to his home. Once on campus, Tillman embodied what it means to be a Spartan, both on and off the court. Improving in each offseason, Tillman acted as both the team’s leader and one of their main contributors during his final season at MSU. After being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Tillman declared for the 2020 NBA Draft.

Xavier was drafted 35th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, joining former teammate Jaren Jackson Jr.

While not rewriting record books in the NBA, Tillman is playing his role position well. Playing in 25 games this season, he is averaging 4.5 points and 3.1 rebounds coming off the bench.