NBA Impact: Michigan State University
Before the Los Angeles Lakers, there was Michigan State University. It was the place where Magic Johnson would establish himself as a future star. It was also the place where the epic rivalry between Johnson and Larry Bird was born. Nearly 30 years later, the legacy of those battles still live on as the Boston Celtics and L.A. Lakers fought it out for the NBA title. But there is more to MSU than just Magic. Several Spartans have made an impact in the NBA …
Current Players: Eric Snow is the most veteran Spartan in the pros. He has played for three teams over his 13-year career and is now being mentioned in future coaching talks … Jason Richardson brought leadership and a versatile game to the Charlotte Bobcats after being traded from the Golden State Warriors. He has averaged nearly 20 points and five rebounds over his seven-year career … Zach Randolph won the 2004 Most Improved Player award with the Portland Trail Blazers after more than doubling his scoring from his sophomore season. Four years later he has become a double-double big man for the New York Knicks … After coming off the bench for most of his career with the Toronto Raptors, Mo Peterson adapted to his role as starting forward on the New Orleans Hornets. He adjusted quickly to playing in the Western Conference by shooting nearly 40% from three-point range … Guard Charlie Bell is a valuable reserve for the Milwaukee Bucks who averaged over three assists and just one turnover per game this season … Michigan State has also produced a young crop of NBA players, including Maurice Ager, Shannon Brown, and Paul Davis.
All-Time Greats: Magic Johnson didn't miss a beat from the moment he left MSU to his first year in the NBA. Johnson played 12 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before contracting HIV and leaving the game. Although he tried to make a comeback in the mid-90s, he is best remembered for what he did during his first run in the league. Johnson won five championships, three MVP awards, three NBA Finals MVP awards, a gold medal with the 1992 US Olympics "Dream Team," as well as earning 12 All-Star selections and nine All-NBA First Team honors. The 6'9" Johnson broke the mold as the tallest point guard in NBA history and is ranked third all-time in assists. His mastery earned him a place in the NBA Hall of Fame in 2002 … Kevin Willis began his NBA career five years after Johnson and did not end it until 2007. Willis played for eight teams during 21 seasons, including two stints with the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks. He played in 11 postseasons and won an NBA title with the San Antonio Spurs. Willis, a one-time All-Star, holds the mark for fifth-most games ever played … Steve Smith played with Willis on the 2003 championship Spurs team. The former All-Star averaged 14 points in 13 playoff runs. He also led the league in three-point shooting in 2002 … 20 years before Magic Johnson donned a Lakers uniform, Johnny Green entered the league in 1959. He played 14 seasons, earned four All-Star appearances, and led the NBA in field-goal shooting twice in the early '70s … Scott Skiles and Sam Vincent also made the transition from playing to coaching in the NBA.
Future Prospects: Senior Drew Neitzel is the only Spartan in this year's NBA Draft. He leaves MSU as the school's all-time leader in career free-throw percentage, and ranks third in three-pointers and fourth in assists. Neitzel has worked out for the Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors.
See how other collegiate powerhouses have impacted the NBA ...
NBA Impact: Duke University
NBA Impact: Kansas University
NBA Impact: UCLA
NBA Impact: University of North Carolina
NBA Impact: Wake Forest University
About the Author: JESSICA CAMERATO
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Jessica Camerato is a member of the Professional Basketball Writers Association and has covered the NBA for HOOPSWORLD for two years, powering HOOPSWORLD.COM and HOOPSWORLD Magazine.
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