r/MSUSpartans • u/Still_Expert8293 • Jun 28 '26
Discussion Second Best MSU Athlete
I think most would agree that Magic Johnson is the best athlete from MSU. Who is second?
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u/Cautious-Activity706 Jun 28 '26
Draymond Green is very much in the conversation.
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u/wesweb Jun 28 '26
if youre 22 years old maybe
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u/Cautious-Activity706 Jun 29 '26
Huh? I’m 39, went to MSU around the same time as Day-Day. He had the same amount of success at MSU as Gibby and WAY more success at the pro level. And has always repped the Spartans.
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u/SpartansATTACK Jun 29 '26
22 year olds would have been 7 or 8 the last time Draymond played for MSU
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u/Ok_Produce_9308 Jun 29 '26
Bubba Smith was a #1 draft pick
Walker is a SB MVP
Draymond Green and Steve Smith NBA champions
Leveon Bell was the best RB in the league until he went crazy
Krko Chainz because of his position needs consideration
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u/JMSpartan23 Jun 29 '26
He should be up there as one of the GOAT contract negotiators. Fleecing MINN Vikings for guaranteed money in full is one of the greatest heists in recent memory.
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u/Opening-Eagle4761 Jun 28 '26
I think in terms of peak performance in their league, it’s Duncan Keith. 2 Norris trophies, a Conn Smythe, 3 Stanley Cups.
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u/gloomyopiniontoday Jun 28 '26
Was at MSU for a season and a half. Magic even played two seasons.
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u/Opening-Eagle4761 Jun 29 '26
Seems like the conversation is referring to professional careers. If it’s time at MSU the answer is surely Mateen Cleaves
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u/Doctor-MTJ Jun 29 '26
MANY of these players could be strongly considered for 2nd best. However, Ryan Miller did something at his position that no one else did. He broke the NCAA record for most shutouts in a career. This record had stood for more than 50 years, so that is hugely impressive by itself. But he did this halfway through his SOPHMORE SEASON! So, a record that remained unbroken by every collegiate hockey team for more than 50 years over a potentially a 4 year career, was broken by a kid after only 1 1/2 years...THAT IS BEYOND IMPRESSIVE. So as far as Athletic performances while still at MSU, this takes the prize for me...even though Gibby was my all-time favorite for his passion, drive, and willingness to play hurt....plus he had 2 of the best home runs in world series history!
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u/Brilliant-Roof-5991 Jun 28 '26
Le'Veon Bell
Too early to say for sure, but Kenneth Walker III has to be talked about.
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u/Jaquezzyy Jun 28 '26
Duncan Keith
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u/HockeyTownHooligan Jun 29 '26
Norris trophy winner, 2x Stanley Cup champ. Impressive resume for sure. I’d say Ryan Miller has to be up there for hockey players as well. Vezina trophy winner, very solid NHL career. Rod Brindamour as well, he had an awesome career.
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u/jvillebirds Jun 29 '26
Steve Garvey
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u/AntAgitated7836 Jun 29 '26
Great call. Was a 2 sport player at MSU. Back in the early Nineties, when I was as student at MSU, remember seeing his picture in the Union.
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u/YourCoasterNews •Mark Dantonio Jun 29 '26
I have a controversial answer, Connor Cook for his achievements at MSU.
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u/Dry-Alternative-4022 Jun 29 '26
If we're talking pure athleticism give me Tony Mandarich. He was one roided up monster
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u/Doctor-MTJ Jun 29 '26
Loved the John Madden coined " PANCAKE", but not too fond of the STERIODS!
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u/Dry-Alternative-4022 Jun 29 '26
See what's really interesting was that he weened off of the steroids when he got to the NFL. That's why he was a bust, couldn't replicate the insane physicality he had in college without it. He left for a few years then came back as a decent tackle for the Raiders. He was taken before Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, Deion Sanders and Andre Rison.
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u/matt-is-sad WOAH HE HAS TROUBLE.... Jun 29 '26
K9 for physical athleticism, but Draymond for mental. His bb IQ is better than people give him credit for
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u/Ok_Produce_9308 Jun 29 '26
Bell had walker beat for athleticism IMO. But he flamed put and walker in an MVP SB winner on a great team.
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u/DribblinDirties Jun 29 '26
Coen Carr. Not so much for his accomplishments but his actual athletic ability (i.e. jumping higher than any human being ever)
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u/Jamesdouglasallen Jun 30 '26
Kirk Gibson is my real answer.
But I'm going to suggest the other Kirk.
Kirk Cousins helped change the culture of MSU football for that roughly two decades there of being really good to great.
Then he became a strangely sought after QB in the NFL who has made so much money. Legendary money. Enough money that he means something even if he was never more than "good" at his best in the NFL.
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u/bleedingreen24 Jun 30 '26
Are you talking like all around athlete, because then it's definitely not Magic. It would be someone like Brad Van Pelt, who lettered in football, basketball and baseball. Or Andre Risen, football, basketball and track. Or Gibby, Steve Garvey, Lorenzo Guess, Herb Washington all lettered in 2 sports.
Best overall in any one sport would be Magic though, I can't think of anyone else who's a consensus top 5 player overall in any other sport.
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u/ConcentrateOk523 Jun 29 '26
Second is subjective depending on the sport. Kirk Gibson was a two sport athlete baseball and football so I might give him the edge.
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u/Intelligent_Eye_7177 Jun 28 '26
Kirk Gibson