The college basketball season is always on the mind, and even though it’s still only September, Michigan State Basketball is already in full swing.
It got 10 times more real for the team this week, as the annual tradition the team has adopted for the past several years, is once again happening. Grind Week is here, and plenty of talented former faces have been at the Breslin Center this week.
From Spartan greats turned NBA champions, to key pieces from some of the more recent historic moments in Michigan Stat basketball history there are plenty of former Spartan Dawgs in town.
The usual crew of former Spartan point guard Kalin Lucas, and everyone’s favorite Draymond Green have lacing it up with the 2024-25 squad, but their have also been plenty of faces that haven’t been back in quite a while.
Los Angeles Lakers guard and the most recent player to be drafted from Michigan State, Max Christie made the trip back to East Lansing this week.
A photo montage shared to MSU Basketball’s X page showed Christie alongside Tom Izzo in his office, along with a photo showing that Joey Hauser and Tyson Walker are also back at the school this week, partaking in Grind Week.
Welcome HOME 📍 pic.twitter.com/bIQEGkARet
— Michigan State Men’s Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) September 12, 2024
A couple of former Spartan players that didn’t finish their respective careers under Izzo, were also in town. Korie Lucious and the biggest shocker of all, in my mind, Chris Allen.
Allen is a guy that got in Izzo’s dog house, plus some other issues, that ultimately saw him dismissed from the team.
Still, in a video also shared by MSU Basketball, Allen and Izzo can be seen sharing a big hug. It’s great to see him welcomed back with open arms. Proving that no matter how things work out, once a Spartan always a Spartan.
No place like home 💚 pic.twitter.com/aZIjVtvmPr
— Michigan State Men’s Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) September 13, 2024
I think Lucas summed up how important this week is ever year in his speech during a practice with this year’s team.
What this week is all about.
🗣️ @Kjay24k pic.twitter.com/wDaFdE1Wrf
— Michigan State Men’s Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) September 12, 2024
“Just make sure, now it’s Grind Week, let’s go out here and work man,” Lucas said. “We’re here for y’all, ya know what I’m saying. We all come back for y’all. We want you to have success and have a great year. Embrace the journey.”
Other Spartan greats have been arriving all week, including Matt McQuaid and newly crowned NBA champion Xavier Tillman Sr.
Grind Week is a great tradition and to me it really sums up Tom Izzo’s legacy. To be able to welcome all these guys back and to have them work with our current players, is nothing less than special.
