What Ever Happened To...

In 2004, the Michigan State Spartans, fresh off a first round NCAA tournament exit, recruited a young point guard out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Spartans new six-foot tall point guard played in all 33 games that season and ended up starting 14 of the teams final 15 games. He led the Big Ten freshmen class in assists, and was second on the team with 97. The team ended up making it all the way to the Final Four, but ended up losing to the soon to be champ, North Carolina. This player ended up starting for the next three seasons at Michigan State, leading the team to the Dance every year, but they never got further than the Sweet Sixteen. This Michigan State star was also 3-time All Big Ten first teamer, and a 2-time Second Team All American. This player declared for the 2008 NBA Draft, but no team selected him, despite finishing his career with over 1,500 points, and 500 assists. So, who is this player you ask?

The answer, is Drew Neitzel. Neitzel was one of the most exciting players to watch in basketball during his college years. He was a lights out three point shooter, and a winner. He found ways to keep MSU in it ever year, and was really the leader of that squad. For years I've been asking CB32 and MillMeek22, what ever happened to Drew Neitzel? Well, now we'll know for sure.

Probably Went in

Neitzel got a look with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and played on their summer league team, but it didn't lead to any NBA offers. So after Neitzel's failed attempt in the NBA, he took his career overseas to play in a European league. Neitzel signed with a German team, the Artland Dragons, and played out the 2008 season with them. He only averaged 5.3 points per game and 2.7 assists over a 34 game span.

In 2009 he returned to the US and played for the Portland Trailblazers in the summer league. Again that led to no NBA offers, and again Netizel returned overseas. This time Neitzel played with a French professional team, Élan Sportif Chalonnais. He averaged 12 ppg over 12 games, before moving to TBB Trier for 14 more games, and averaged 7.4 ppg over those 14.

In 2011, he played in 16 games with BBC Bayreuth, and averaged 7.7 points per game. His play was obviously impressive to some people in the states because it led to him landing a deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Today, Neitzel is still affiliated with the team, as a player on the NBA D-league squad the Texas Legends. Neitzel played in 30 games averaging 5 points and 4 assist per game in 20 minutes. An underwhelming story to say the least, as it looks like the highlight of Neitzel's career is behind him. But who knows? Maybe something crazy will happen and we'll see Old Drew reach the big show someday, but for now all we have are the memories.