Carson Cooper didn’t need long to make a little noise in his NBA Summer League debut.
The former Michigan State big man, who went undrafted before signing a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, opened his pro career with a performance that stood out right away. Memphis added him to a franchise that has already featured several Spartan big men over the years, including Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Randolph, Xavier Tillman and Deyonta Davis since 2009.
Cooper’s path in Memphis could include some NBA minutes this season, though a lot of his time is expected to come in the G-League as the Grizzlies work through a major rebuild. Still, his first Summer League outing gave him a strong case to keep pushing for opportunities.
Over the weekend, Cooper found himself across from a familiar name in Michigan lottery pick Aday Mara, and this time the matchup went much better than the regular-season meetings from last season. Cooper finished with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists, and he knocked down his lone 3-point attempt. He also delivered a third-quarter poster in a blowout.
It’s only Summer League, and one 11-point game doesn’t lock anyone into an NBA roster. But Cooper clearly made an impression, especially against a talented big like Mara. If he’s going to carve out a role with Memphis this season, outings like that will matter.
And he won’t have to wait long for another familiar opponent.
On Monday night, Cooper and the Grizzlies are set to face Jaxon Kohler and the Utah Jazz in Summer League play. It will be the second time the two former Michigan State teammates have matched up since leaving East Lansing, with the previous meeting coming at the Portsmouth Invitational.
Michigan State fans can catch the game on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET, though Kohler may not see much floor time after not playing in Utah’s first game over the weekend.
In Other News...
This New Spartans Back Could Change A Frustrating Offensive Problem
Michigan State spent the offseason trying to reshape its running back room, and Marvis Parrish is one of three transfers brought in to help. The Western Kentucky transfer arrives as a true sophomore with four years of eligibility left, and his freshman season offered a glimpse of why the Spartans were interested: he showed he can contribute as both a runner and a receiver, giving the offense a different kind of backfield option.
For a team looking to smooth out a frustrating offensive issue, Parrishs value may come less from pounding between the tackles and more from what he can do in space. He appears to fit best as a pass-game weapon, while other backs on the roster are better suited for the bruising work near the goal line and in short-yardage spots. That split could make him an important piece in Michigan States offense even if his role is not the most obvious one on the depth chart. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Is Already Eyeing The Next Big Point Guard Shift
Michigan States staff is already thinking a step ahead at the most important spot on the floor, and the 2027 board is starting to take shape accordingly. The Spartans have extended scholarship offers to a pair of high-end point guard targets as they look at what the next era of the position could look like, with the program clearly unwilling to wait until the last minute to address a possible transition.
The timing makes sense with the way the roster is lining up, and it also shows how aggressively Michigan State is trying to stay ahead of the curve in recruiting. Point guard succession plans are rarely simple, especially for a program that wants to keep competing at a high level, so adding multiple options early gives the staff some flexibility while the bigger picture around the position continues to develop. [Read more 🡒]
Carson Cooper Is Forcing A Real NBA Conversation Early
Michigan States Summer League pair has already turned into a useful snapshot of where both big men stand, and Carson Cooper has been the one making the louder early case. After signing a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, Cooper has backed it up with strong play in his first two games, while Jaxon Kohler made his Utah Jazz debut by putting up 11 points and seven rebounds in a win over Memphis. For Spartans fans, it is a familiar kind of summer update: two former teammates on different paths, both getting a real look against NBA competition.
Coopers start has been especially notable because it has moved beyond simple summer intrigue and into actual roster conversation. Through two games, he is averaging 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds, and the way he has looked has Memphis fans buzzing about whether he can keep forcing his way into the picture. The two-way deal already gave him a foothold, but the bigger question now is whether his play can keep building into something more permanent as the Grizzlies sort through their frontcourt options. [Read more 🡒]