Carson Cooper’s 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 contract with the Memphis Grizzlies after the 2026 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, second on the MSU roster to Jeremy Fears Jr.’s school single-season record 328.
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’s Las Vegas Summer League runs July 9-19 in Nevada, with games also played in California (July 3-6 in Sacramento and San Francisco) and Utah (July 4, 6-7 in Salt Lake City).
It was the second straight NBA draft in which MSU did not have a player selected. Tom Izzo’s last NBA pick came in 2025 when Jase Richardson went in the first round to Orlando at No. 25. Cooper’s fellow senior big, 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 – 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, Michigan State basketball big, signs with Memphis Grizzlies
Reporting by Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
