MSU basketball's Carson Cooper signing with Memphis after NBA Draft

Chris Solari, Detroit Free PressThu, June 25, 2026 at 5:05 AM UTC

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Carson Cooper's surreal ascent from an off-the-radar project to an NBA player is one step closer to reality.

The Michigan State basketball forward agreed to a two-way with the Memphis Grizzlies after the NBA Draft on Wednesday, June 24, according to ClutchPoints.com.

The 6-foot-11, 245-pound native of Jackson went from an unranked recruit and late addition in MSU's 2022 class to a senior-year starter under Tom Izzo this winter. Cooper averaged 11.1 points and 7.1 rebounds in 2025-26 while shooting 58.4%, showing the ability to run in transition and finish at the rim on lobs. The anchor of the Spartans' defense in the paint blocked 34 shots and had 21 steals while showing the ability to move the ball with 51 assists, which was second to Jeremy Fears Jr.'s school single-season record 328.

Michigan State center Carson Cooper (15) dunks against North Dakota State during the second half of NCAA Tournament First Round at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

In his four seasons under Izzo, Cooper averaged 5.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in 137 career games. He is the latest Spartan to join the Grizzlies after Zach Randolph (2009-17), Jaren Jackson Jr. (2018-26) and Xavier Tillman Sr. (2020-24).

The NBA Summer League runs July 9-19 in Las Vegas, with games also being played in California (July 3-6) and Salt Lake City (July 4, 6-7).

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It was the second straight draft that MSU did not have a player selected. Tom Izzo's last draft pick in 2025 when Jase Richardson went in the first round to Orlando at the 25th pick. Cooper's fellow senior big man, Jaxon Kohler, agreed to a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 deal with the Utah Jazz after the draft, according to his father, Jeff.

Two MSU players – returning point guard Fears and incoming transfer center Anton Bonke – both tested the NBA Draft process as underclassmen before withdrawing their names last month.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Carson Cooper heads from MSU to Memphis Grizzlies after NBA Draft ends

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