Malik Hall may be two years removed from his Michigan State days, but his presence still resonates with Spartan fans who watched him grow into a key piece of Tom Izzo’s rotation. Hall’s college career mirrored that of Joey Hauser in more ways than one - both forwards faced questions about consistency early on, only to deliver their strongest performances as seniors. And for Hall, that final season in East Lansing was his defining chapter.
Coming into the 2023-24 campaign, expectations were sky-high for Michigan State. The Spartans opened the season as a preseason top-five team, but an early home loss to James Madison sent things sideways.
The team never quite regained its footing, and while the season didn’t unfold as planned, Hall emerged as one of the team’s emotional and on-court leaders alongside Tyson Walker. The duo pushed hard for a postseason run, and for a moment, it looked like they might pull it off.
In the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Michigan State jumped out to a double-digit lead against North Carolina. But that cushion didn’t hold. The Tar Heels stormed back, and just like that, the Spartans were out - and Hall’s college career was over.
But the story didn’t end there.
After going undrafted, Hall began his professional journey in the G-League with the Greensboro Swarm. His stint there was brief - just two games and limited minutes - before he moved on to the Motor City Cruise, the Detroit Pistons’ G-League affiliate.
That’s where Hall found a bit more rhythm, logging 20 games and starting in half of them. He averaged 9.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 64 percent from the field.
Notably, he all but abandoned the three-point shot, focusing instead on high-percentage looks inside and midrange.
While his G-League window didn’t open into a long-term opportunity, Hall didn’t let that slow him down. This past summer, he signed with Ironi Kiryat Ata B.C., a club in Israel’s top professional league, and that’s where he’s been making his mark during the 2025-26 season.
Through his first 10 games overseas, Hall is reportedly second on the team in scoring, averaging 16.6 points per game - a strong showing for a player still carving out his pro identity. It’s a testament to his work ethic and adaptability, traits that defined his time at Michigan State and continue to serve him well on the international stage.
Hall joins a long list of former Spartans who’ve found success playing professionally abroad. Whether or not he finds his way back to the G-League or earns another shot at the NBA, he’s proving that there’s more than one path to a successful basketball career - and right now, he’s making the most of his.