The Michigan State Spartans have made 18 straight NCAA Tournament appearances and have made nine Final Fours. Head coach Tom Izzo is one of the best coaches in the country, but Michigan State has become one of the best programs in the sport because of the great players they've had. Here are the best of the best in Michigan State history:
5) Draymond Green
Green earned first team All-America honors with 16.2 points and 10.6 boards per game as a senior while leading Michigan State to a Big Ten title, and his three career triple-doubles are second in school history. He also holds the Michigan State record with 1,095 career rebounds.
4) Scott Skiles
Skiles averaged a remarkable 27.4 points a game as a senior (a school record), and that helped him finish third in school history in points (2,145). He also ranks second among Spartans all-time in both assists (645) and steals (175). He went on to have a solid NBA career with the Orlando Magic, and he still holds the record for most assists in a game (30).
3) Shawn Respert
Respert is the school's all-time leading scorer with 2,531 points, and his 331 three-pointers on 45.5 percent shooting from long range are also Michigan State records. He only spent four seasons in the NBA, but his name will forever be all over the Spartans record books.
2) Mateen Cleaves
Cleaves still holds Michigan State records for career assists (816) and steals (195), and he led MSU to its second national championship in 2000. He never averaged 5.4 points per game during his NBA career, but his legacy as a Spartan is unquestioned.
1) Magic Johnson
Earvin “Magic” Johnson led Michigan State to its first national title in 1979, but his individual accolades are even more impressive. He recorded more triple doubles in his two seasons (eight) than all other Michigan State players in history combined, and finished his career averaging 17.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game.
Johnson also went one to have one of the most successful careers in NBA history, winning five titles and three MVPs with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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