Moneyball Pro-Am is often described as a Greater Lansing summer staple. Bringing together both college and professional players to play summer style tournament basketball —at no cost to fans — Moneyball draws a large crowd every night. Some may come just for the love of the game, or to support their college player, but most come to get up close and personal with Michigan State men's basketball's upcoming roster.
MSU's players are split up amongst the teams and paired with standout players from around Michigan. Rosters are released in advance and remain the same for the entirety of the summer season. Games are played every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8pm.
Jeremy Fears Jr. pulls up for a shot at Moneyball. Photo Credit: Sydney Padgett / Spartans Illustrated
For this summer, roster pairs are as follows:
BLT's Wearable Art, Inc.
Kaleb Glenn
Matthew Watkins
Motorcars
Carlos Medlock
Anton Bonke
Tri-Star Trust
Coen Carr
Jesse McCulloch
SPS (Sport Psychology Solutions)
Jordan Scott
Julius Avent
LAFCU
Jeremy Fears
Ethan Taylor
Faygo
Cam Ward
Jasiah Jervis
Each pairing is given to the Moneyball staff by the Michigan State staff, and in watching some of the pairings it is clear that fostering on court relationships is one of the main goals.
Combining new and veteran players allows for learning opportunities in real game-like scenarios.
Cam Ward dunks on the opening night of Moneyball. Photo Credit: Sydney Padgett / Spartans Illustrated
Cam Ward, only a one-year veteran on this Spartan squad, shared that in this offseason he has gotten "more mature” heading into his sophomore season.
Ward listed three things — understanding head coach Tom Izzo's system and coaching style, physically being in better shape, and higher attention to smaller details — as his pillars to success this offseason.
Ward was paired with freshman Jasiah Jervis, and he could be seen often giving direction and tips to Jervis during moments of their heated game. It was clear that Ward was there to compete, not just jog up and down the court like some did.
Cam Ward drives with the ball at Moneyball. Photo Credit: Sydney Padgett / Spartans Illustrated
Carlos Medlock dunks at Moneyball. Photo Credit: Sydney Padgett / Spartans Illustrated
One of Ward's opponents for the night was another true freshman, point guard Carlos Medlock.
Medlock put his team on his back at the end of the game to try to tip the scales in their direction, but it was unsuccessful. It was clear that Medlock enjoys competing and he could be seen smiling while out on the court often as his game wound down to the end.
"We didn't get the job done," stated Medlock afterward. "But I had fun still."
Medlock said that he is looking forward to learning from starting point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. and was relieved to see Fears pull his name out of the draft process.
Medlock shared that only Fears would truly be able to teach him how to be a "point guard for Tom Izzo."
Medlock played with fire during his debut at Moneyball, a trait that Spartan fans will hope carries over into the season and into his role as the backup point guard.
Carlos Medlock drives into pressure at Moneyball. Photo Credit: Sydney Padgett / Spartans Illustrated
Anton Bonke takes a perimeter shot at Moneyball. Photo Credit: Sydney Padgett / Spartans Illustrated
Two very tall and ever-present figures were missing from Moneyball on Tuesday night. With both Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler having used up their collegiate eligibility, there was a larger (and very tall) gap to be filled for the Spartans.
To assist under the basket, Izzo went to the transfer portal and plucked a 7-foot-2 player from a small archipelago, Vanuatu. Anton Bonke is set to fill some very big (pun intended) shoes for MSU under the basket.
When asked about what drew him to MSU, Bonke's answer was simple.
"Coach Izzo is a legendary coach," started Bonke. "I think I can gain a lot of knowledge from him. The retention rate he has been able to accomplish with his guys. He had pretty much the whole team come back. I am the only exception as the transfer."
Throughout his interview, Bonke mentioned his eagerness to learn from Izzo as a main point of emphasis. Bonke, along with Fears, tested the waters with the NBA Draft process this year. Bonke shared that he received points to work on but was also told that there would be a "high likelihood" the NBA will be where he ends up.
Bonke plans to use this year at MSU to hone his skills to be able to move to the next level.
Anton Bonke lays it in at Moneyball. Photo Credit: Sydney Padgett / Spartans Illustrated
Jeremy Fears Jr brings the ball up the court at Moneyball. Photo Credit: Sydney Padgett / Spartans Illustrated
Speaking of starting point guard, Fears, Spartan fans can rest easy knowing he was his normal trash talking, competitive self on the court at Moneyball. Fears commanded the ball for his team and as the final minutes were ticking down, set up the three-point play to put his team ahead as the buzzer sounded. For anyone that has watched Fears in action before, none of that comes as a suprise.
Fears shared that he is happy to be back and that he enjoyed the NBA Draft process. He shared that he had some very good workouts with teams and gained knowledge that will guide his work during this season with the Spartans.
Fears completed eight workouts in the span of two-weeks and called the process a "crazy stretch." A big draw for his return was the makeup of this upcoming year's team. Fears cited the retention of veteran guys and the young talent coming in with the freshman class as reasons he was looking to come back to East Lansing.
"Im grateful to be back," shared Fears. "With my guys, doing this with the people, the fans and everybody. And just having fun."
Moneyball will continue throughout the summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Holt High School in Holt, Michigan with games playing at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Spartans Illustrated will have coverage throughout the summer so check back for interviews and follow us on social media for action photo galleries.
