Top 20 former Michigan State Spartans to play in the NBA

11. Miles Bridges

Miles Bridges is indisputably one of the league’s most athletic youngsters and most exciting dunkers. Bridges’ athleticism was rewarded with a spot in the 2019 NBA dunk contest, where he finished third but still managed one of the four 50 point dunks.

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Despite the excitement surrounding Bridges’ athleticism, it is well known that the hyper-athletic big man tends to have an injury shortened career. Bridges is at risk of such a trajectory if he can’t expand other aspects of his game in the likes of Blake Griffin – a player formerly known by his athleticism and dunking prowess.

Bridges showed glimpses in his rookie year that this isn’t outside the realm of possibility. He averaged 7.5  points per game on 21.2 minutes, and shot three’s at a rate of 32.5 percent -something Bridges did considerably well as a Spartan.

With the low expectations surrounding Charlotte this year, what is expected of Bridges in only his second year could be a high demand. If he meets that demand and improves on last year, Bridges may be for real.