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HOLT — There have been plenty of other years when Lansing’s Moneyball Pro-Am summer basketball league has been highly anticipated. Few opening nights, however, have lived up to the hype and satisfied curiosity as well as Tuesday at Holt High School.
This year’s pro-am has a lot going for it in terms of the Michigan State’s men’s basketball dynamic. The Spartans are again the featured act, spread out over the six pro-am teams. There is loads of intrigue surrounding MSU’s incoming freshman and transfer class, high hopes for a couple returning sophomores, appreciation for the return of All-American point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., and one more summer of Coen Carr’s dunks, which, for four years now, have been more than worth the price of the free admission.
RELATED: See the rosters and schedule for the 2026 Moneyball Pro-Am summer basketball league
Here are five quick takes on MSU’s basketball team after the opening night of the 2026 Moneyball Pro-Am:
Jasiah Jervis and Carlos Medlock Jr. were paired against each in the opening game Tuesday night, often guarding each other. Those were some of the most entertaining and competitive moments in a game that went down to the wire.
Medlock is coming into MSU slotted as Fears’ backup. The question with him is how much he can bring to the role and how much he’ll play alongside Fears, not just behind him. Medlock's step-back shot off the dribble is really good, both in the paint and out beyond the arc. I’m not sure how many step-back 3s MSU’s coaches will want him taking, but it’s clear that he’s drilled that move as a way to create extra separation to make up for his size. I should say his height, rather. Because he looks strong enough to hold up in the college game.
On one possession Tuesday, as Jervis guarded Medlock, the in-game DJ yelled over the mic, “Don’t let him score.” Jervis hounded Medlock, who eventually was forced nto a difficult fadeaway shot off the bounce from just outside the elbow. It was a credit to Jervis’ defense. Medlock also made the shot.
Medlock said afterwards that he’s glad Fears is coming back, that he came to MSU planning to be able learn from him for a year, “How to be a leader and captain of the team,” he said. “I know I’m going to have to fill that role when he leaves.”
With Jervis, the first thing that stands out his his first step. That's a gift. He’s got good size and quickness. He’ll be able to get to the rim in the half court. I also think he’s the most likely candidate to be MSU’s No. 3 point guard, should that role be needed.
Jervis and Medlock really like to get after it, which helped set the tone for a rather intense opening game and two great games on the first night.
On the night of the NBA draft, Jeremy Fears Jr. showed one reason there was some buzz about him last month during pre-draft workouts and at the NBA combine — his bounce continues to return.
There was no louder collective “Ooh” from the crowd Tuesday than after Fears' two-handed dunk, which followed a one-hander, both of which he seemed to do with ease, like he used to back in high school and early at MSU before he was shot in the leg over Christmas break during his freshman season.
Fears’ recovering a good bit of his quickness and athleticism was part of the reason he became a star for MSU last season. But this was another level of bounce. He said afterward that he can feel it. And that not having it for a long time, forced him to become a better overall player, because he had to find other ways to be effective. It’ll be interesting to see this coming season whether he’s got yet another level to his game, and whether increased athleticism helps him unlock it.
Not surprisingly, Cam Ward and Jordan Scott look different than a year ago — and even three months ago — as in they have biceps. This happens a lot with sophomores who endure getting pushed around at times during their freshman seasons. April and May become all about remaking their bodies. We’ll see how much it helps them take the next step. Ward was everywhere Tuesday, often the first guy down the floor. Both of these guys are proven to a degree. What’s not clear is how big a leap they have in them from Year 1 to Year 2.
MSU has legit size at the center position in transfer Anton Bonke and freshman Ethan Taylor, both of them over 7-feet. Bonke is really big. He swallows the ball on rebounds and looks quick enough to be rim-runner and rim-roller. His most impressive play offensively Tuesday was a driving two-handed reverse dunk, where he went up on one side of the rim and dunked it back over his head on the other. There are still questions with him that can’t be answered in a summer pro-am. But no red flags based on what MSU is expecting from him.
Taylor at times treated the pro-am Tuesday a bit more casually than MSU’s other three freshmen did. I’m curious to see how ready he’ll be to contribute this season. He does have some undeniable abilities, one of which is his passing and how he sees the floor. He’ll have to develop in other areas for that to become a weapon, but at some point, it will be — on the drive, in the post and, maybe most importantly, as an outlet passer. MSU’s best fast-break teams have had big guys who got the thing going with that first pass. Taylor has a knack there.
McCulloch showed his outside touch Tuesday. That's going to help him and MSU. But his most memorable shot of the night came when he faced up Taylor from one side and drove into the lane, scoring over Taylor on a sweeping hook shot. It’s the closest McCulloch has ever looked to Magic Johnson in the 1985 NBA finals.. McCulloch seemed really comfortable doing it, like it’s a shot he’s been working on. It’s just not something you see very often. But as someone whose face-up shot will keep defenders attached to him, it could be an effective move. MSU could use him to be a threat in other ways beyond his outside shot.
Julius Avent is the least-heralded of MSU’s four incoming freshmen. Nobody stood out more and faster Tuesday. Avent made a heckuva first impression, playing in the late game, in front of a once-full crowd that had thinned out considerably. He scored nine of his team’s first 16 points, getting buckets inside and out, bullying his way to points at the rim. He had a decent array of moves and played with intent. The Big Ten is a different beast and he’ll be competing for minutes in a crowded depth chart. But Avent looked Tuesday like someone who’s determined to leave his mark.
Contact Graham Couch at [email protected]. Follow him on X @Graham_Couch and BlueSky @GrahamCouch.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU basketball: Jervis, Medlock, Avent, Fears stand out at Pro-Am
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This year’s pro-am has a lot going for it in terms of the Michigan State’s men’s basketball dynamic. The Spartans are again the featured act, spread out over the six pro-am teams. There is loads of intrigue surrounding MSU’s incoming freshman and transfer class, high hopes for a couple returning sophomores, appreciation for the return of All-American point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., and one more summer of Coen Carr’s dunks, which, for four years now, have been more than worth the price of the free admission.
RELATED: See the rosters and schedule for the 2026 Moneyball Pro-Am summer basketball league
Here are five quick takes on MSU’s basketball team after the opening night of the 2026 Moneyball Pro-Am:
1. Worth watching: MSU’s freshman guard duo of Jervis and Medlock
Jasiah Jervis and Carlos Medlock Jr. were paired against each in the opening game Tuesday night, often guarding each other. Those were some of the most entertaining and competitive moments in a game that went down to the wire.
Medlock is coming into MSU slotted as Fears’ backup. The question with him is how much he can bring to the role and how much he’ll play alongside Fears, not just behind him. Medlock's step-back shot off the dribble is really good, both in the paint and out beyond the arc. I’m not sure how many step-back 3s MSU’s coaches will want him taking, but it’s clear that he’s drilled that move as a way to create extra separation to make up for his size. I should say his height, rather. Because he looks strong enough to hold up in the college game.
On one possession Tuesday, as Jervis guarded Medlock, the in-game DJ yelled over the mic, “Don’t let him score.” Jervis hounded Medlock, who eventually was forced nto a difficult fadeaway shot off the bounce from just outside the elbow. It was a credit to Jervis’ defense. Medlock also made the shot.
Medlock said afterwards that he’s glad Fears is coming back, that he came to MSU planning to be able learn from him for a year, “How to be a leader and captain of the team,” he said. “I know I’m going to have to fill that role when he leaves.”
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With Jervis, the first thing that stands out his his first step. That's a gift. He’s got good size and quickness. He’ll be able to get to the rim in the half court. I also think he’s the most likely candidate to be MSU’s No. 3 point guard, should that role be needed.
Jervis and Medlock really like to get after it, which helped set the tone for a rather intense opening game and two great games on the first night.
2. Fears’ dunks were a big part of the show
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On the night of the NBA draft, Jeremy Fears Jr. showed one reason there was some buzz about him last month during pre-draft workouts and at the NBA combine — his bounce continues to return.
There was no louder collective “Ooh” from the crowd Tuesday than after Fears' two-handed dunk, which followed a one-hander, both of which he seemed to do with ease, like he used to back in high school and early at MSU before he was shot in the leg over Christmas break during his freshman season.
Fears’ recovering a good bit of his quickness and athleticism was part of the reason he became a star for MSU last season. But this was another level of bounce. He said afterward that he can feel it. And that not having it for a long time, forced him to become a better overall player, because he had to find other ways to be effective. It’ll be interesting to see this coming season whether he’s got yet another level to his game, and whether increased athleticism helps him unlock it.
3. Ward and Scott look physically different
Not surprisingly, Cam Ward and Jordan Scott look different than a year ago — and even three months ago — as in they have biceps. This happens a lot with sophomores who endure getting pushed around at times during their freshman seasons. April and May become all about remaking their bodies. We’ll see how much it helps them take the next step. Ward was everywhere Tuesday, often the first guy down the floor. Both of these guys are proven to a degree. What’s not clear is how big a leap they have in them from Year 1 to Year 2.
4. What to make of big men Bonke, Taylor and McCulloch
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MSU has legit size at the center position in transfer Anton Bonke and freshman Ethan Taylor, both of them over 7-feet. Bonke is really big. He swallows the ball on rebounds and looks quick enough to be rim-runner and rim-roller. His most impressive play offensively Tuesday was a driving two-handed reverse dunk, where he went up on one side of the rim and dunked it back over his head on the other. There are still questions with him that can’t be answered in a summer pro-am. But no red flags based on what MSU is expecting from him.
Taylor at times treated the pro-am Tuesday a bit more casually than MSU’s other three freshmen did. I’m curious to see how ready he’ll be to contribute this season. He does have some undeniable abilities, one of which is his passing and how he sees the floor. He’ll have to develop in other areas for that to become a weapon, but at some point, it will be — on the drive, in the post and, maybe most importantly, as an outlet passer. MSU’s best fast-break teams have had big guys who got the thing going with that first pass. Taylor has a knack there.
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McCulloch showed his outside touch Tuesday. That's going to help him and MSU. But his most memorable shot of the night came when he faced up Taylor from one side and drove into the lane, scoring over Taylor on a sweeping hook shot. It’s the closest McCulloch has ever looked to Magic Johnson in the 1985 NBA finals.. McCulloch seemed really comfortable doing it, like it’s a shot he’s been working on. It’s just not something you see very often. But as someone whose face-up shot will keep defenders attached to him, it could be an effective move. MSU could use him to be a threat in other ways beyond his outside shot.
5. Don’t sleep on Julius Avent
Julius Avent is the least-heralded of MSU’s four incoming freshmen. Nobody stood out more and faster Tuesday. Avent made a heckuva first impression, playing in the late game, in front of a once-full crowd that had thinned out considerably. He scored nine of his team’s first 16 points, getting buckets inside and out, bullying his way to points at the rim. He had a decent array of moves and played with intent. The Big Ten is a different beast and he’ll be competing for minutes in a crowded depth chart. But Avent looked Tuesday like someone who’s determined to leave his mark.
You must be registered for see images attach
Contact Graham Couch at [email protected]. Follow him on X @Graham_Couch and BlueSky @GrahamCouch.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU basketball: Jervis, Medlock, Avent, Fears stand out at Pro-Am
Continue reading...
